Fred McKenna

Fred McKenna was previously featured on this site back in August, when I posted samples from his Hank Williams tribute album. Today I've got a few songs from his first Arc album, entitled simply Fred McKenna of CBC-TV Sing Along Jubilee. The liner notes to this record note that McKenna's hometown was Fredericton, New Brunswick, that he was known for his cheerful good humour, and that he lived in Fredericton with his wife and two daughters.



The unquestioned highlight of this album (which was recorded with an unidentified studio band backing McKenna up) is "Foolish Questions," a humourous look at the dumb things you get asked during the course of the day which was also recorded by Johnny Cash and Bill Haley, among others. "Weary Blue and Feeling Low" is a doggone lonesome ballad, and "Columbus Stockade Blues" is an uptempo Bill Monroe bluegrass tune that incorporates part of "You Are My Sunshine" into the lyrics. Lastly, "Nine Pound Hammer" is a traditional country number that serves as a showcase for McKenna's acoustic guitar playing.

Foolish Questions
Weary Blue and Feeling Low
Columbus Stockade Blues
Nine Pound Hammer

Note: These songs have been archived at It Came From Canada.