Information/Write-up
October 5, 2024 update: Bob's wife Cindy sent two previously unavailable tracks and posted them here
Morning Robert,
Here are the 2 songs - the first is Tanglewood Lane written by Jim Freake and the second Standing in the Shadows written by Cindy Leonard. I am so thankful that Bob was coherent enough to pass on some of his story. He touched so many lives during just “our” time together (33 yrs), so I can only imagine how many in a lifetime!
Thank you for what you do!
-Cindy
I had the honor of being able to interview Bob just a few days before his passing. It was difficult to piece together the story, but his wife Cindy sent the following lovely piece (unedited):
Bob Harvey and the Pilgrims was a trio of men comprised of front man Harvey Robert Freake (known as Bob Harvey), Dave Feeney and Roger Feener.
Harvey played rhythm guitar, sang lead vocals and was the producer of the album “Bob Harvey and the Pilgrims. Dave Feeney played Bass, Piano/keyboard, harmonica, Fiddle and banjo. Roger Feener played lead guitar.
The album had 4 original songs co-written and arranged by Bob and his friend Al (Alister) MacDonald. The remainder of songs on the album were covers. The trio only selected songs that they all liked.
The group picked that name because Bob Harvey was a better stage name, and the pilgrims was selected because they were embarking on a journey (they were travelers).
They all met at the plaza lounge in Dartmouth Nova Scotia where Bob and his friend Art McCauley would go for “open mic” night. Just happened that Dave and Roger were also there and after talking a while, decided to get together and “make a go of it”. The group was together from 1971 to 1973 and all lived in the Halifax area. They were regulars at the Candlelight lounge, the Plaza, Moonlight and Monterey. They would get together to practice at least 3 times a week as Bob was a perfectionist, and it was important to have a “tight” group. They made a lot of money through their “gig” contracts. The group disbanded due to family commitments, and it was more work than fun for them. Plus, there became dissension between the members.
The album was recorded in the Audio Atlantic Studio in Halifax Nova Scotia and it actually took 1 year to complete the album due to the acquisition of songs and studio availability. Song writer Al Mac Donald joined them to make the album and also played harmonica and guitar. Any other instruments on the album were studio musicians. Bob took on the role as rhythm guitar, lead vocal and producer. Both Dave and Roger sang backup vocals.
The groups favorite song on the album was Deborah.
Background on Bob (or Harve to his family): he was born in Lewisporte NL on 31 Aug 1943. He learned to play guitar by taking his brothers guitar when he left the house, (replacing the strings, as his brother was left handed), listening to the radio and trying to pick up the chords of the songs he was listening to, then he would have to re-string the guitar so his brother would not find out. He became a master at tuning the guitar and it was a pet peeve of his to hear an out of tune guitar for the duration of his career. At 18 Bob left home and moved to Toronto to live with extended family. He got a job at the Robert Simpson Co. where he was a model. Bob then moved to Dartmouth Nova Scotia where he worked at the Imperial Oil Refinery. He hooked up with a lady who had 2 boys. After completing the album, he was busy with family matters, being a hockey coach and working, so music had to take a back seat.
When Bob’s first marriage ended, he moved on to doing his own thing and met his current wife Cindy Leonard. Bob began collaborating with his brother Jim Freake and would produce many of Jim’s songs. Bob and I began singing some of Jim’s songs along with several of Cindy’s originals around the Nova Scotia area. Bob produced many of Cindy’s songs and produced several gospel albums for her of both original and cover songs.
Unfortunately, Bob passed away of cancer at his home in Belleville Ontario on 26 Jul 24.
Dave Feeney passed away of suicide in Calgary Alberta (date unknown)
Roger Feener also passed away of suicide in Halifax Nova Scotia (date unknown)
Produced by Bob Harvey
Engineered by Al Feeney
Audio digital transfer and scans courtesy Canadian Cult Classics
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