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Who’s Who of Canadian music stars release Home for a Rest to honour Spirit of the West frontman

100 per cent of the proceeds will support John Mann in his battle with Alzheimer’s

Sing in the shower? Most everyone does it.

Record a track in the men’s room with nearly 50 of Canada’s most celebrated musicians? That is definitely one for the history books.

And history they made as Alan Doyle, Jim Cuddy, Sarah McLachlan, Ed Robertson, Colin James, Barney Bentall and many more of Canada’s top musicians came together to cover Spirit of the West’s Home for a Rest in honour and support of frontman John Mann and his battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Performing and recording as part of a benefit in John’s honour at the Commodore Ballroom in November 2017, the resulting video and song sit at the helm of a GoFundMe campaign to assist the 55-year-old singer in his extensive care for the devastating degenerative disease. One-hundred per cent of the proceeds from the sales and streaming of the new release will go to the John Mann Trust Fund.

“We got it in the can in the can.” - Alan Doyle

“This song is a testament to the love that lives in the community of the Canadian Music Business,” shares Alan Doyle, who spearheaded the recording.

“I encourage everyone to enjoy and share this song that was made by so many people offering a hand to a friend who needs it. This is for John.”

Doyle and audio engineer Peter Green created a makeshift sound studio in the Commodore’s second-floor men’s washroom, shuttling musicians — which also included Spirit Kids, Barney & Dustin Bentall, Colin James, Craig Northey, Shari Ulrich, Jim Byrnes, Kendel Carson, Daniel Lapp, Cory Tetford, Shehab Illyas and Kris MacFarlane — into record.

“We did drape it nicely,” Doyle said. “We found a bunch of black drapes to put over the urinals and the like. We had Sarah McLachlan coming in there. I couldn’t ask Sarah to go to just any old men’s can to sing a song.We got it in the can in the can.”

Having raised more than $33,000 so far, the response has been a heartfelt, impassioned tribute to the Canadian musical icon.

Industry peers beyond musicians are lending their support as well.

“My very first gig as a lighting designer was Spirit of the West at the Empress six years ago,” shares Kyle Gilmar.

“Thanks for letting the new guy have a shot.”

WATCH

The special recording of Home For A Rest, performed by: Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan, Alan Doyle, Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, Spirit Kids’ Barney and Dustin Bentall, Colin James, Craig Northey and The Odds, Shari Ulrich, Jim Byrnes, Kendel Carson, Daniel Lapp, Spirit of the West with Cory Tetford, Shehab Illyas and Kris MacFarlane. Footage compiled by Shehab Illyas

Donate or share to support the care of John Mann here

Morning Star Staff


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A who’s who of Canadian musicians gather to record Home For A Rest, in support of John Mann from Spirit of the West. (Contributed)