Finest Kind is a folk music trio based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.[1] It consists of Ian Robb,[2] Ann Downey and Shelley Posen.[3] The band is known for its three-part harmony renditions of traditional folk songs.[4]

History

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Finest Kind formed in the early 1990s. The band has released six albums in its own name,[2] including Heart's Delight[5] in 1999 and Silks & Spices in 2004.[6][7] The three also recorded a Christmas album with Canadian actor John D. Huston. Individually, its members have appeared on several solo albums and play with other bands.

Finest Kind performed throughout North America and the United Kingdom for folk song societies, community groups, and at folk festivals,[4] including the Ottawa Folk Festival.[8]

In 2014 Finest Kind performed at the Canadian Folk Music Awards gala in Ottawa.[9] The band retired from touring in 2015. It continues to perform an annual Christmas concert and other engagements in the Ottawa area.[10]

CD recordings

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  • Lost in a Song 1996[11]
  • Heart's Delight 1999
  • Silks and Spices 2004[12]
  • Feasts & Spirits (with John D. Huston) 2004
  • For Honour and For Gain 2010
  • From Shore to Shore 2014

References

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  1. ^ Randy Ray; Mark Kearney (September 1, 1999). The Great Canadian Book of Lists. Dundurn. pp. 197–. ISBN 978-1-4597-2698-7.
  2. ^ a b "Flyin' high with the Hawk at the Sanderson Centre" Archived December 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Brantford Expositor, By Glen Silverthorn. October 23, 2013
  3. ^ "The magical music of Merganzer". Ottawa Citizen, Peter Simpson - December 8, 2015
  4. ^ a b "Cambridge’s Mill Race festival fans savor wealth of unplugged talent". Waterloo Region Record Aug 02, 2010
  5. ^ " Finest Kind Heart's Delight". AllMusic Review by Rick Anderson
  6. ^ "Finest Kind Silks & Spices". AllMusic Review by Rick Anderson
  7. ^ "Finest Kind Silks and Spices". Folk Now, Dave Kidman 2006
  8. ^ "Ottawa Folk Festival, past events". Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
  9. ^ "2014 Canadian Folk Music Awards Presented". Acoustic Music Scene, by Michael Kornfeld on Nov 30, 2014
  10. ^ "Neighbourhood grows trees from the seeds of Canada's history (with video)". Bruce Deachman, Ottawa Citizen, November 2, 2014
  11. ^ "Finest Kind (includes Sing Out! review by Bob Blackman and a review from Dirty Linen)" (Web Review). Retrieved January 12, 2008.
  12. ^ Harris, Roy. "Finest Kind Silks & Spices" (review). The Living Tradition. No. 54. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
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