With previous studio experience under a FACTOR grant, the Sharecroppers confidently proceeded with the recording of their first CD "Natural". According to Mike Madigan, "We recorded 19 songs over three long days and nights and we selected the best 13 songs for the CD and cassette. It was just a matter of getting the right people to record us live." In this case, the "right people" were Joe Dunphy (a former resident of Pasadena, Newfoundland) and Steve Traub, both of The Trebas Institute of Music in Toronto, Ontario.
The Sharecroppers orchestrated Natural to bring out as many facets of Newfoundland life as possible: "It's a good mixture of serious and lighthearted lyrics with a few instrumentals thrown in. If you've heard the songs, I think you'll agree that the type of music on it is enjoyable and reflective of Newfoundland". While it's true that the flavour of the album will make most native Newfoundlanders nostalgic, you certainly don't have to be a Newfoundlander to enjoy Natural.
ONE ROOM SCHOOL
Written for the many generations of Canadians who have fond
memories of attending a "one room school".
THE MILL WHISTLE
Written by Ed Humber with thoughts of his father and how the
paper mill in Corner Brook has impacted on the many lives that surroud
it.
ENGINEER'S SONG
Written in fond memory of the Newfoundland Railway, this song
has struck a chord with The Newfoundland Historical Railway Society
who adopted it for their members. Words are seen on the last page of the
great book NEXT STOP: GAFF Topsal by Mont Lingard and Mike Shufelt.
KATIE'S TUNE
A delightful mandolin tune...children love to dance or splash around in the tub! Right Katie?
Right Joshua? Right Brenna?
THE KYLE
Partly responsible for saving an historical possession, The
Sharecroppers draw attention to the plight of the S.S. Kyle, a neglected
coastal steamer anchored in Harbour Grace, NF. In response, the recently
formed The Friend's of the Kyle committed to restoring and
repainting the ship.
THE LEGIONNAIRE'S SONG. Lest We Forget.
In recognition of the 1,750 branches of Legionnaires across
Canada. On June 1st, 1994, Peter Gzowski aired this song on CBC's
"Morning Side" show for the fiftieth anniversary of D
Day
NEWFOUNDLAND AUTUMN
Written by Ed Humber, inspired by looking out his kitchen window
on a fine autumn evening (while doing the dishes). This catchy tune creates a
great picture of Newfoundland every Fall. Listen for the moose, taste the
berries and smell the vamps!!
FREDDIE'S TUNE
Guy Romaine wrote this song as a tribute to his Uncle Fred,
from Newman's Cove, Bonavista Bay, NF, "who though never played
a muscial instrument just loved to chin out song after song while working
on his small piece of the soil which John Cabot discovered some 500 years
earlier".
YESTERDAY'S FISHERMEN
A potential Canadian folk classic. This song chronicles the
fishing industry in a similar fashion to what Gordon Lightfoot's "Canadian
Railroad Trilogy" does for the railway.
MY GRANDFATHER'S FIDDLE
A folk classic. The fiddle itself may be old and weak but the
memories it evokes are strong and timeless.
NEWMAN'S REEL
A simple whistle tune of IRISH longings.
MERMAID A traditional rough and ready sea song - guitare, bass and great harmonies abound! Enjoyed by landlubbers too!
TWENTY FIVE MINERS
Inspired by the recent mining disaster in Nova Scotia and dedicated
to the many people who risk their lives in the mines to make their daily
bread.