Edwards, Cliff - Carpenter of Wood

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Carry On	03:40
	2	Carpenter Of Wood	02:50
	3	I Know I Can	03:34
	4	Everybody's Going His Own Way	03:10
	5	My Songs Are Sleeping	03:17

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Say Goodbye To Anne	03:01
	2	Uncle Dad And Auntie Mom	03:32
	3	I Wish I Was Going Back Home	03:02
	4	Follow Me	02:36
	5	Faces	03:55

Photos

Videos

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Information/Write-up

Released in 1973, Carpenter of Wood is a quiet triumph of Canadian folk-rock introspection from Cliff Edwards, best known as the lead voice behind the chart-topping soft-rock group The Bells. Stepping away from the polished pop of hits like “Stay Awhile,” Edwards uses this second solo LP to explore deeper lyrical territory, weaving themes of home, faith, family, and emotional resilience into a warm, earthy soundscape.

The album opens with “Carry On,” a hopeful duet featuring his young son Sean Edwards—a symbolic passing of the torch and a tender moment that sets the album’s reflective tone. The title track, “Carpenter of Wood” (written by Barry Brown), stands as the emotional centerpiece: a spiritual allegory rendered in plainspoken lyrics and acoustic textures, echoing the craft of artists like Jim Croce or early Gordon Lightfoot.

What elevates Carpenter of Wood beyond singer-songwriter fare is the accomplished lineup of musicians Edwards assembled—figures deeply rooted in Canada’s musical underground and studio scene:

Rayburn Blake (guitar) brings subtle depth and fluid phrasing honed during his time with Mashmakhan, the Montreal psych-soul group best known for “As the Years Go By.” He later formed Riverson, whose acoustic-prog leanings align perfectly with the mood of this record.

Brian Edwards (bass), Cliff’s brother and longtime collaborator from The Bells, anchors the arrangements with melodic sensitivity and familial cohesion. His contributions lend a quiet continuity to Cliff’s post-Bells output.

Leon Aronson (piano, arrangements) appears courtesy of Columbia Records of Canada, and his arrangements play a key role in shaping the LP’s overall sound—particularly on tracks like “I Know I Can” and “Everybody’s Going His Own Way.” His piano work adds a light gospel flourish without overwhelming the material.

Wayne Stone (drums) brings a pedigree from Canada’s soul and jazz-rock scene. As a member of Grant Smith & The Power, Motherlode, and Dr. Music, Stone had already played on some of Canada’s grooviest tracks. His refined sense of rhythm gives Carpenter of Wood a rhythmic subtlety that never overshadows the songwriting.

The album’s Side B expands the themes with songs like “Say Goodbye to Some” and the returning “Uncle Dad and Auntie Mom,” both filled with warm nostalgia and bittersweet longing. Edwards also revisits earlier material, including new versions of “Follow Me” and “Faces,” recorded with this evolved lineup, adding maturity and fresh arrangements.

The production—handled by Edwards himself and engineered by Peter Houston at Toronto Sound Studios—is intimate without being lo-fi, capturing the lived-in quality of the performances. Cover art by Linda Loucks (a charming pencil sketch of Edwards and his son under a timber frame) complements the album’s rustic, homegrown feel.

Though Carpenter of Wood did not chart or receive mainstream acclaim upon release, it remains a deeply personal and beautifully crafted album that speaks to the values of quiet artistry, fatherhood, and self-reflection. It’s a testament to Cliff Edwards’ evolution from pop stardom to a more grounded, roots-driven storyteller—and a forgotten gem in Canada’s early ’70s folk-rock canon.
-Robert Williston

Cliff Edwards: vocals, guitar
Rayburn Blake: guitar
Brian Edwards: bass
Leon Aronson: piano
Wayne Stone: drums

Leon Aronson appears courtesy of Columbia Records of Canada Ltd.

Produced by Cliff Edwards
Arranged by Leon Aronson and Cliff Edwards
Engineered by Peter Houston
Remix engineering by Matthew Mitchell
Recorded at Toronto Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario

Cover illustration by Linda Loucks

Sound files and images by Canadian Cult Classics

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