James by Kathy Stock

I once joked that pretty much every story I tell on this blog contains some variant on ‘it was difficult time in Newfoundland,’ but it’s no laughing matter.  With the island’s long winters and remote communities, things were often challenging and people struggled to survive. Too often the resources they needed to survive weren’t there.

It’s one thing to know that, but completely another to understand it and I think that’s one of the reasons I love Kathy Stock’s single James. The song didn’t only make me think about the struggle but ‘feel’ it and consider it’s cost.

James is inspired by Stock’s paternal grandfather and, set against a beautiful folk melody, recounts the difficult experiences of his childhood. She describes the song as, “a tribute to a man who overcame incredible odds to build a life and a family he loved.”

I’m sure, if he could hear it, he’d be impressed. She’s crafted a song that is affecting and memorable and well-worth checking out. You can get it on Bandcamp (and wherever you stream music).