Information/Write-up
The Race Is On, his debut album on Arc Records, features meat-and-potatoes rock-inflected country music with that signature Arc sound, and nothin' but. Leading with his chart-topping single "Skip Hop and Wobble," which soared to #1 on Canadian charts and found its place on "Early Canadian Rockers Vol 3," MacLaren's repertoire also features covers like the George Jones classic "The Race Is On" and Jack Clement's "Best Guitar Picker," previously interpreted by Jones himself. Additionally, he delivers renditions of Mel Tillis' "Sawmill" and Jimmie Skinner's "Don't Fall In Love With a Gambler," a Jimmy Martin favorite.
After releasing two albums with The Mustangs in the mid sixties, Artie MacLaren went on to record solo albums with Arc, Condor and Paragon before landing at Broadland Records. His collaboration with producer Dallas Harms resulted in three albums brimming with original compositions, eight of which attained national chart success.
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:
"Artie MacLaren is the answer to skeptics who feel it's unlikely that another top country singer will come out of Canada to assume international fame. If ever a big league talent existed, it shows itself in the work of this talented young singer. Artie exhibits style, showmanship and a fantastic feel for country music, and these qualities have surprised everyone who has seen him perform. When Artie appeared on the Carl Smith TV show on CTV recently, guest star Porter Wagoner looked up a rehearsal to see just who the "hot" singer was. Wagoner's appraisal of Artie's performance was "Simply great" and you'll agree when you hear these 12 great tunes by a great new Canadian talent. One of these songs, "Skip Hop and Wobble" has been charted as a leading Canadian C&W by RPM, Canada's music business weekly, and the other songs on this album are equally great. You're bound to hear more of Artie MacLaren, just about the hottest Canadian country star to come down the pike for a long time."
Artie MacLaren: guitar, vocals
Mickey McGivern: lead guitar
Mark McGivern: bass
Jerry Summers: drums
Produced by Ben Weatherby
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