Shadows on a Dime

1984 studio album

Shadows on a Dime is a folk-rock album by the Canadian singer-songwriter Ferron. It was originally released in 1984 on the independent label Lucy Records; subsequently it has been re-released on LP, CD and cassette by Redwood Records and Cherrywood Station.

Critical reception

Don Shewey in Rolling Stone called the album "a feast of excellent musicianship and fine songwriting" and "a thing of beauty" and says of the production, "The album's many moods are superbly reflected in Terry Garthwaite's production, and ideal instrumental touches keep the more contemplative songs from sounding drab".

The Washington Post published a good review which compares the album favourably with other albums released by other artists associated with the "Women's music" genre at the time, including Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull who appear on this album: "With her haunting folk drone, her jabbing gypsy guitars and fiddles, her torrents of metaphors (and her descriptions of lesbian relationships), she challenges the field as it's never been challenged before. She is the first major artist to emerge from its ranks," wrote Geoffrey Himes. The album "fulfills the potential hinted at on 1980's 'Testimony'", he writes. Regarding how her songs address friends facing difficulties in relationships he writes, "With a courage too rare in pop music, Ferron doesn't offer her friends easy solutions for their problems, but forces them to face up to difficult reality".

Track listing

All songs written by Ferron. The tracks on the CD are in the same order as on the LP.

Side one: Dreaming Back

1. "Knot 53"
2. "Snowin' in Brooklyn"
3. "As Soon as I Find My Shoes I'm Gone"
4. "Proud Crowd / Pride Cried"
5. "I Never Was to Africa"

Side two: The Return

1. "Shadows on a Dime"
2. "Circle Round" (instrumental)
3. "The Return"
4. "It Won't Take Long"

Personnel

Musicians

• Ferron – vocals (all except B2), acoustic guitar (all except A3, B4)
• Barbara Borden – drums (B3)
• Jeanne Bradshaw – support vocals (B4)
• John Clavin – support vocals (B4)
• Linda Domingo – support vocals (B4)
• Mary Fettig – tenor saxophone (A1), alto flute (A5)
• Roy "Bim" Forbes – harmony vocals (A4)
• Terry Garthwaite – support vocals (B4)
• Nina Gerber – harmonica (A2), mandolin (B3)
• Joe Goldmark – pedal steel (B3)
• Glen Hendrickson – drums (A1-4, B1)
• Barbara Higbie – fiddle (B1, B3), Support vocal (B3)
• Michael Lent – bass (A1), fretless bass (A2, A5, B1)
• Diane Lindsay – electric bass (B3)
• Dawne Milligan – lute and second viola parts arrangement (B2)
• Brian Newcombe – bass (A3, A4)
• Novi Novog – electric viola (B2, B4), synthesiser (B4)
• Dave Pickell – piano, synthesiser (A4)
• Vicki Randle – congas (B4)
• Brent Shindell – acoustic guitar (A2, B1)
• Tony Simmonds – lute (B2)
• Lucinda Smith – support vocals (B4)
• Adrienne Torf – synthesiser (A1), electric piano (A2, B3)
• Teresa Trull – support vocal (B3)
• Marc vanWageningen – bass (B4)
• Paul vanWageningen – drums (B4)
• Brett Wade – electric guitar (A1-5)
• Willow Wray – support vocals (B4)

Others

• Terry Garthwaite – production
• Leslie Ann Jones – engineering, mixing
• Gayle Scott – executive producer, art direction, photography
• Barbara Hodgson – album design
• John Clavin – assistant engineer
• Ray Pyle – assistant engineer
• Paul Stubblebine (at The Automat) – mastering

References

1. Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: Ferron, Shadows on a Dime". Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics. Robert Christgau. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
2. Viglione, Joe. "Shadows on a Dime review by Joe Viglione". AllMusic. AllMusic, NetAktion LLC. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
3. Shewey, Don. "Ferron: Shadows on a Dime". donshewey.com (Author's website). Don Shewey. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
4. Warner, Andrea. "A candid interview with Ferron, an unsung Canadian treasure". CBC.ca. CBC/Radio-Canada. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
5. Himes, Geoffrey. "Ferron's challenge to "Women's Music"". Washington Post. The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 December 2023.