MERCY THIS HUSTLE, AND BLESS JEN KIRKWOOD'S HEART. 

"Dirty Mansions is the magnificent sum of all its parts: the book, with so, so many great stories; heart achingly sad and funny and everything in between. The CD with the exquisite mix of these now favourite songs. And of course, the album release shows (THE BEST SHOW YOU WILL SEE THIS YEAR). Go see this! You need this today, tomorrow, and let’s face it, you probably needed it yesterday. Corin Raymond, you are music’s true alchemist. Pure Gold." – Jen Kirkwood

DIRTY 2019 RELEASE DATES! 

All dates and tickets at TOUR DATES, and note that LONDON is separate, at the top of the page.  All advance ticket purchases for London go straight to me, and there's no fee for those. Bahoozbaaaah! CR

SOME EXTRA MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP 

  You might’ve noticed that I’m willing to go some extra distance for what I do. Not just with what you’re holding in your hands, but at every step. If a song proves resistant in the studio, if we’re not feeling the direction we’ve taken, despite the time and money that’s been spent, I’ll go back, and begin again. This is my gift, and my curse. I’ll put a thousand bucks into a song and then, later on, make it walk the plank. It happens. It’s just not the usual practice in the Small Time, where money and deadlines are tight. Hey, we’re all in the same boat. None of us can afford to make records, and to make a good one is expensive. It costs to record, to mix, to master; to book your studio time, pay your producer, your engineer, your players. It costs to bring them back, if that’s called for. You don’t want to spend more than you have to, but sometimes it’s part of the job. 

  Furthermore, it’s extravagant to make a book, to print it, and ship it to where it needs to be. It may feel excessive to pay to publicize, promote, and put it out there, but to honour the time, money, and energy you’ve expended––well, as Scott Cook says, “You know I didn’t come this far not to go all the way.” And don’t get me wrong. It’s a lot of work, but it’s work that’s fun to do, and most of the time, it’s rewarding as all heck. But to finally have a record that’ll stand the test of time requires no small amount of potatoes. As a previous example, my album Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams cost $60,000.00 to make. All in, all told, top to bottom. Dirty Mansions will be similar, but you know what? It’s worth it. I wouldn’t take back a penny. I’ll listen to Dirty Mansions on my deathbed and go out grinning. Of course, none of this touches on the thousands of hours, the years it takes to write the songs, or to learn how to play them, or the never-ending grind of “writering,” as opposed to “writing,” by which I mean the mountain of administrative work that stands between me and my having a career. 

  Which, for me, raises the question: “What’s it worth?” What’s the figure we can put on the music that heals our souls? What’s the empirical value for the work that’s brought us these songs? Can it even be tabulated? Could I ever remunerate Tom Waits, or Leonard Cohen, or any of my friends, for that matter, for what they’ve given me? I certainly bought Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen records when they were for sale, and paid, multiple times, to see them, but even so. The five times I saw Leonard Cohen in concert, we applauded like every single song was his final encore. We couldn’t clap hard, or long enough, because we weren’t applauding only the momentary performance of that song––we were applauding for everything that song had ever meant to us, over a lifetime. Perhaps the nominal amount we spend on that ticket is an inadequate way to express this gratitude, but a way nonetheless. Perhaps there can never be a price on what Leonard Cohen’s music means to us. Maybe it’s this exchange of our money for his lifelong dedication to music that provides us the rare opportunity to turn our money into love. 

  As a working songwriter, I need to find a way to let people know I have albums for sale––or steins, t-shirts, what have you. I’m an entertainer, so I’m expected to make jokes, and keep it light. When I say, “This is your chance to turn your money into pure love,” people laugh, because “Hahaha, listen to the funny man asking us to buy something! He’s so funny!” When I describe this alchemy of money into love, it’s not a gag. We’re just not socialized to think about money this way, but given the current consumer climate, I deserve as much as any working stiff to say something about the money I earn. Do you remember a little thing I like to call “The Great Canadian Tire Money Caper”? Remember how much joy was yielded by each, single paper nickel? How extraordinary was that? What a beautiful, living example of our reciprocity! What a revelation of value. Because, of course, each of us needs more than a single nickel made of paper, to keep our engines turning. This isn’t about the money, and of course, it’s about the money. Because I need the money, like everybody does––and yet, at the same time, it’s not the money I really need. This is the paradox of what I do. So where does it bring us? 

  Perhaps, on a smaller scale, our relationship as audience and artist, works something like this: I’ll agree to give you everything I have. I’ll invest it all, go all in. The whole kaboodle. For reasons which are not money reasons. Reasons which, at first, aren’t even aware of money. Motivations that would be impossible for our present Premier of Ontario, or for the current President of the United States to understand. Because they aren’t profit reasons. This exchange between us, this “Economy of Generosity,” isn’t about anyone getting richer––at least not in any way that capitalism would approve. In fact, it’s about us being allowed to forget the money. Let’s face it. This is the beautiful irony of how this weird job works: You will never be able to pay me for what I give to you. But the money you do give me has value beyond its denomination, beyond the banker’s eye. This deal of ours will never be successfully added up on any abacus, or personal computer. Do you see what I’m getting at? This is how we turn our money into love.

(Excerpted from the upcoming Dirty Mansions book. To get involved, CLICK HERE and slide on over to my Dirty Emporium...)

Folk Alliance Bound!  

I'm proud to be flying under the Mavens Music management banner next week at Folk Alliance International in Montréal, excited to room with Del Barber, and stoked to be playing each night in the company of the irrepressibly-talented Mike T. Kerr! 

More than that, I'm excited for the unexpected moments, to get my mind melted by people I don't even know yet, and to to hang with old friends that I only get to see at conferences like this one. A little taste of Montréal winter won't hurt, either. Huzzah! 

Catch me here: 
Weds 10:30 pm #453 Intercontinental Revue at Folk Alliance 2019 
Thurs 10:30 pm #457 Folkin' Genius Lounge 
Thurs 12:30 am #428 Rusty Car Music 
Fri 12:00 am #321  Folk Music Canada 
Sat 12:00 am #457 Folkin' Genius Lounge 
Sat 1:00 am #550  NERFA Presents 

ps. Stunning graphic by Jordanna Rachinsky.

 

This is Gonna Be Fun. 

The poster says 8 pm, but the show begins at 830 pm - in the back room of The Cameron immediately after our weekly 6-8 pm Sundowners set in the front room....

 

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Corin Raymond and the Sundowners

 —  —

The Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON

6- 8 pm. No cover. We pass the hat, which is how we turn our money into love. The music is warm and wooden. It's a room full of good people. Corin sings songs he wrote as well as songs by pals from across the country. Brian Kobayakawa on upright bass. Mike T. Kerr on lead acoustic guitar. Always a chance of the great Treasa Levasseur. Each Thursday happens only once. Join us in the Red-Velvet Twilight. Grab you some honey.

BOOKMARKS at the EDMONTON FRINGE!

 —  —

Roots on Whyte, 8135 – 102 St., Edmonton, AB

Monologue, memoir, a feast of words; and a deep-hearted treat for bookworms or for anyone who's ever lost someone or something they loved.

Tickets and an honest-to-goodness ticket link will be live once we all make it to August.

This is a special show, and hard-won. I think it's the best thing I've written (if I can be trusted). Like my best-loved songs, these stories cause laughter and tears in equal measure. It means a lot to me to finally be bringing it to Toronto; I hope I get to share it with you. – CRay

From the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Fringe 2023:

Toronto singer-songwriter Corin Raymond returns to the fringe with another stellar one-man show, again revolving around his love of reading. A decade ago his solo spoken-word show, Bookworm, delved into stories read to him by his father as a child; Bookmarks explores the many books he’s loved, loaned out, lost and (sometimes) found again while on the road.

The 60-plus-minute monologue is broken up into five- or six-minute stories — almost like an album, or chapters of a book — with Raymond fondly (and sometimes funnily) reminiscing about books that have helped him through difficult times, including coping with the loss of his mothers (to understand why it’s plural, you’ll have to see the show).

Raymond’s got a beautiful, poetic delivery and dynamic stage presence that works brilliantly with his reminiscences — it all pulls at the heartstrings in a big way. ★★★★ 1/2

— Ben Sigurdson

Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams: Coffee Table CD
  • Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams: Coffee Table CD

Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams: Coffee Table CD

In cart Not available Out of stock
C$20.00

The physical album package is 80 pages of beauty, featuring liner notes, chords and lyrics to the songs, as well as 19 paintings by Travis Charuk (like the one you see of Corin on the cover). Gorgeous design and layout by Pearl Rachinsky.

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Coffee Table CD - SOLD OUT
  • Coffee Table CD - SOLD OUT

Coffee Table CD - SOLD OUT

In cart Not available Out of stock
C$30.00

This "coffee-table CD" consists of a 144-page hardcover book and two CDs. 20 songs by songwriters from across Canada (including Corin himself), stories about where the songs were found and who the artists are, the words and chords to every song, and 57 pictures. Basically, liner note heaven.

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There Will Always Be A Small Time: CD
  • There Will Always Be A Small Time: CD

There Will Always Be A Small Time: CD

In cart Not available Out of stock
C$20.00

Corin Raymond's 2009 of release There Will Always Be A Small Time went to #5 on the Roots Charts in the States, was nominated by the Independent Music Awards for Best Story Song ("Blue Mermaid Dress") and won the People's Choice for Alternative Country Album. The album features songs like "Better Him Than Me," "I Wish I Was In Love," "Paid To

Corin Raymond's 2009 of release There Will Always Be A Small Time went to #5 on the Roots Charts in the States, was nominated by the Independent Music Awards for Best Story Song ("Blue Mermaid Dress") and won the People's Choice for Alternative Country Album. The album features songs like "Better Him Than Me," "I Wish I Was In Love," "Paid To Party," and the anthemic title track, "There Will Always Be A Small Time."

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Doghouse Dreams: CD
  • Doghouse Dreams: CD

Doghouse Dreams: CD

In cart Not available Out of stock
C$15.00

Acoustic songwriting duo, draws from American Blues, R&B, Gospel, Ragtime and Country to create their own brand of of Canadian "folk music theatre".

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Cherry Wood Stein (20oz) - 7 Left in Stock!
  • Cherry Wood Stein (20oz) - 7 Left in Stock!
  • Cherry Wood Stein (20oz) - 7 Left in Stock!
  • Cherry Wood Stein (20oz) - 7 Left in Stock!
  • Cherry Wood Stein (20oz) - 7 Left in Stock!

Cherry Wood Stein (20oz) - 7 Left in Stock!

In cart Not available Out of stock
Out of stock

Gorgeous handcrafted 20 oz stein, bevelled and finessed together seamlessly from twenty pieces of cherry wood. Stained and finished with hemp oil. Each order comes with a bottle of hemp oil, for future upkeep, along with stein-care instructions. Album title burned into the wood, with "Album Release 2016" on the underside.

Initialled by Alex Ferri,

Gorgeous handcrafted 20 oz stein, bevelled and finessed together seamlessly from twenty pieces of cherry wood. Stained and finished with hemp oil. Each order comes with a bottle of hemp oil, for future upkeep, along with stein-care instructions. Album title burned into the wood, with "Album Release 2016" on the underside.

Initialled by Alex Ferri, of Mystic Wood, the maker of these little vessels of beauty.

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