Jessica Schwitek

Golden Star

It was three years in the making, but Will Wardwell has finally released his album Across the Mountains.

“It’s been probably three years since I started. Things moved along slowly, and then I put the whole thing on the shelf to do another CD with some other friends in Spillamacheen,” said Wardwell. “It’s great to have it done. Now I can start

another one.”

Wardwell had a lot of help with Across the Mountains, which was recorded in Golden at Bill Noble’s studio.

John Cronin played the guitar and Mike Garner lent his talents on the stand-up base. Nick Petrowich and Branden Winterholt from Willhorse can also be heard on the album, as well as Ken Chilibeck on drums, and Jeff Moss on the cello.

But probably the greatest contribution came from Wardwell’s late wife, who passed away during the recording of the CD.

The album is dedicated to Dorothy, who was one of the musician’s greatest supporters.

“She actually sings one of the songs on the album. I managed to get her to do it. She was a little reluctant,” he said.

Wardwell has been playing music since he was a teenager, and has been playing live in the area since.

“I first played at the ‘Maggie’s Night’ shows at the Windermere Hall in the early 1970s. Then I had a band called Junction and we played a lot at the National Park Hotel in Radium. I live in Harrogate, about halfway to Golden, so we played in the hotels in Golden as well.”

Admittedly more into rock and roll in his younger years, Wardwell takes a softer approach with this album, calling his sound “old time music” with strong folk influences. Eight of the tracks are originals, with three covers to round out the CD.

The CD is available at Safta’s Restaurant in Invermere.

~With files from Nicole Trigg