Information/Write-up
Hailing from Prince Edward Island, MacLaren relocated to Toronto in 1962. Alongside his band, The Mustangs, he commanded stages at various clubs while lending his guitar skills to recording sessions for fellow artists under Ben Weatherby's stewardship at Arc Records including Sharon Strong. In 1965, he released his first single on Arc Records 'Skip Hop and Wobble b/w Jimmie Brown, the Newsboy' (also on his first album 'The Race is On'). Skip Hop and Wobble was comped on Early Canadian Rockers Vol 3. He followed up with his second single on Arc Records 'Lost Love b/w Ring of Fire' (also on his second album 'May the Bird of Paradise fly Up Your Nose'), which also received airplay across Canada and appeared on the RPM recommended Play Sheet for Nov 1965 through March 1966: In the RPM Vol 5, No.1 Feb 28,1966 issue Peter Grant of CJOB Winnipeg notes: "Has a Don Gibson beat and some real good vocalizing. I'll play it any day". In the same issue, Russ Vernon of CKXL Calgary says: "This is on my Canadian Top 10, in the number 3 spot for this week. One of the best Canadian arranged C&W that I've run across." He was runner-up to Roy Penny for Top Country Instrumental Vocalists in the January 1966 Annual RPM Awards.
The liner notes:
When Artie MacLaren first heard little Jim Dicken's version of 'May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose", he said, 'There's a s ong I've just got to do on my next album."
Since we had an album planned, and this tune which suited Artie to a tee, and seemed destined to be a big hit, we decided to feature it on this album. You will find the rendition exciting and different. At the same time there are eleven other great tunes on the album which you are going to enjoy immenselt. All the selections are backed with the great Mustang guitar sound of Mickey McGivern.
Artie MacLaren: vocals, guitar
Mickey McGivern: lead guitar
Bob Lucier: steel guitar
George Pasher: rhythm guitar
Bill Gibbs: bass
Tony Di Maria: drums
Rick Lamoureux: piano
Produced by Ben Weatherby
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