Welcome to Norm Hacking's
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With great regret and sadness, we announce
that NORM HACKING And the world gets a lift when you practice your
gifts: "You shine for me and I will shine for you"
- "Shine" We speak the language of poetry, when we try to talk to God. Music is God's reply. The courage of song results from just such intimate conversations. - Norm Hacking Among the tributes to Norm: Memorial event / open stage was held Thursday
Dec. 6, 2007 Radio tributes - all webcast - Dec. 2, 7, 9, 20 + Mondays . . . . . . . . . Other Recent News Summary
below... . . . . . . For more than 30 years, Toronto (Canada) singer-songwriter Norm Hacking has been winning loyal fans and critical acclaim for his beautifully crafted songs, with their moving and often humorous insights into life, love, songwriting - and now cats! His latest music CD Orange Cats Make the Very Best Friends (with fabulous multi-instrumentalist Kirk Elliott) is making many new friends who send him stories of their own feline best friends. "When Cats Go Wrong" from the CD is the text of a BOOK - including a CD single of the song - that is brilliantly illustrated by Cynthia Nugent. Published by Raincoast Books and widely available from Canadian booksellers since October 2004, the book was released in the U.S. in April 2005, but is selling out. The paperback edition (ISBN 1-55192-917-1 or 13 digit format ISBN 978 1-55192-917-0) - full size with CD single - is NOW available in both Canadian and U.S. stores. The book was nominated for two awards: short-listed for a 2005-2006 Chocolate Lily Book Award (chosen by kindergarten through grade 3 British Columbia students) and it was an Alcuin Society Book Design Award Winner (4th in Children's category in Canada for 2004; Elisa Gutiérrez designed the book). Canadian and U.S. songwriters recorded 18 of Norm's songs for One Voice: A Tribute to Norm Hacking, Vol. 1 (released with a gala concert in late 2001). A second volume is in progress. Norm's own "best-of" CD Skysongs... A Writer's Collection (1996) was remastered and reissued with lyrics in late 2001. Watch for The Ache CD soon. Norm released a new CD "I Am the Night" with 33 original spoken word selections (poems and prose) on Monday December 19, 2005!! Fans who attend his concert performances already know the beauty - and humour - of his spoken word pieces. The CD is available on-line or by mail order form from Iridescent Music, where it was recorded with the generous help and studio time donated by Executive Producer Phil Ball and the talent of Recording Engineer Charlie Agnello. See the detailed I Am the Night CD description.
NEW: Norm's music CDs are available from Outside Music's secure web store at www.outside-music.com/store/ - they also supply major stores in Canada. More details and options are on Norm's Buy CDs and Contact page. The BOOK When Cats Go Wrong is receiving a terrific reception. Two of many letters from grade 2 fans are shown at left (click image for larger version) and more are quoted on the reviews page, along with two letters from their teacher. Norm answered each letter individually, and we've posted his additional letter to the whole class responding to the most common questions about cats, himself and writing. As usual, his ideas have universal interest. How much fun and learning can one book - When Cats Go Wrong - inspire for one class and one choir and their audience? Click on the photo for a larger image of a few of the Monet-style cats "gone wrong" that some talented first grade students created for Norm. The letter from their teacher is on Norm's reviews page.
Adult critics are also enthusiastic. The book was featured on p.16 in the October 2004 Quill & Quire, p.26 in the October 9 Book Section of The Globe and Mail (Globe link now requires registration or subscription), Vancouver Sun (Nov. 20, 2004, p.F16), The Toronto Star April 24, 2005, p.D8 (Deirdre Baker's Small Print column in the book section), Canada's news magazine Maclean's, Nov. 29, 2004 (p.68) and national CBC radio program "The Roundup". OTHER RECENT NEWS - events, book news, more... "A
Small Celebration" is Norm's account of the July 11, 2007 memorial
gathering on the 85th anniversary of Kathy O.'s birth, and some photos. Norm's prose and lyrics added October 2006 - October 2007: Norm's beautiful mother Kathy O. "slipped away" peacefully in the early morning on Wednesday October 4, 2006, with Norm at her side. He had spent most of his time since July with her at Scarborough Grace Hospital (Toronto) - see his prose, linked above. UPDATED!!
- Steve Goodman: Facing the
Music by Clay Eals ... Norm was one of the performers Friday June 22, 2007 for The Riverboat Revival, the gala opening concert at Hugh's Room for the Toronto City Roots festival (which continued Saturday and Sunday at the Distillery District). The concert honoured the 1960s prominent folk coffeehouse - for details see Past Events 2007. What a wonderful day and evening!!! Congrats to all involved in organizing the festival.... Norm Hacking played the Brampton Folk Festival on Satuday June 16, 2007. His performances included a set of cat songs and stories at 1 pm on the family stage, hosting "A Songwriter's Travelogue" workshop at 3 pm and main stage concert at 6:15 pm. It's a rain or shine free festival in lovely Gage Park in downtown Brampton. The main-stage line-up and more details are now on Norm's Past Events 2007 page (along with a photo of the lovely main-stage area) and at www3.sympatico.ca/bramptonfolk/ - Yes, there are GO-buses from Toronto to Brampton and free parking for those with cars! FEBRUARY 9 - 11, 2007 - Winterfolk V festival on 7 stages in 5 venues on Danforth at Broadview in Toronto was a great success. It had a great line-up again in 2007, including Norm - it's first year as a free festival! See www.abetterworld.ca/WinterfolkV.htm for festival info - info on Norm's performances has been moved to Past Events 2007. SONGS FOR A BETTER PLANET Volume II DECEMBER 17, 2006 (Sunday) at 8 pm - Norm returned to KINGSTON, Ontario, after a long absence for Sweet Folk All's Winter Solstice FREE special show! It started with an open stage, and featured a full set from Norm. UPDATE: a wonderful evening, Norm enjoyed the fine local performers and was happy to meet old friends and make new ones. Details, including the regular open stage there, have been moved to past events in 2006. NORM'S SONG "SHINE" used in a tribute to Agent Orange victims in New Brunswick. Yes, that's exposure in Canada! To watch Art Connolly's video, which opens with a few facts then goes to Norm's song behind a loving collage of images dedicated to those individuals and families affected by spraying of Agent Orange and other chemicals at CFB Gagetown 1956 - 1984, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jCfwHAJTSA . To explore the issue behind the video, see www.agentorangealert.com . MAY 10, 2006 was the U.S. release date of the
new paperback edition of Norm's When Cats Go Wrong book, so it
is NOW available from both U.S. and Canadian booksellers. The
hard cover edition is out of print. This papercover edition, also from
Raincoast Books, retains the full-colour vibrancy of Cynthia
Nugent's illustrations, the full page size and the CD single, making
it a read-along and sing-along experience. It's a bargain at C$12.95 /
US$9.95! Look in the children's book section - but we're all kids at heart
when the fun is this clever! See our page
about the book - where you can also listen to part of the song: Sample some of Norm's other lyrics and writing
on this website: Norm launched his NEW SPOKEN WORD CD I Am the Night on December 19, 2005 with a concert at the Renaissance Cafe. See our details of the new CD. It's available on-line or by mail order from Iridescent Music, Toronto. THANKS CBC! LISTEN to 6 of Norm's songs!! In September 2004, we moved the website, tidied it up and added sound from six of Norm's songs: two each from his three current music CDs, including Alan Rhody and Jason Fowler from the tribute album. The mp3 links are on the lyrics list. We've made separate pages for each of Norm's recordings, updated links and added more lyrics, a new "Race Track Hack" column about the book, a site map and a press kit. Please ensure links and bookmarks for this website are to www.normhacking.com. SEE MORE NEWS, still relevant, on the separate
NEWS page! Did you know that... Norm Hacking is a determinedly-independent folk singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who loves sharing his songs. His performances are totally engaging: melodic songs sung in his expressive baritone, with tasteful acoustic guitar, interspersed with original poetry and prose recitations. Norm's albums brim with original songs ranging from whimsical ("Cats Everywhere") to humorous looks at modern life ("Once Was Enough", "Video Love") to the emotional ups and downs of relationships to soul searching and social commentary ("Last Dance with the Bully God"). See the discography for an overview of his vinyl (solo starting in 1977 - and one with friends in 1972!) and CDs. Fine songwriters from Chicago (Michael Smith) to Nashville (Alan Rhody) to Whitehorse (Mikel Miller) and many from Ontario (Nancy White, Ron Nigrini, Chris Whiteley, Rick Fielding, Slowpoke, Brenda Lewis, many more) recorded Norm's songs for the tribute album and / or their own albums. Five artists have written songs about Norm, including one days after his passing. Poet Linda Stitt shared two poems about Norm. Many Torontonians know Norm as "Race Track Hack," author of the monthly thoughtful humor column by that name in Taxi News from February 1992 to late 2007. Selected columns on this site include tales of his cats and his family, tributes to late friends Lloyd Landa and Rick Fielding, imaginary "dates with the dead" heroes Bogie and Marilyn, and musings on a variety of topics - touching and funny, as are his songs. Columns may be reprinted occasionally on the Taxi News website. Selected lyrics and prose and one poem "I Have Imaged You" are shared here. Lyrics include all Norm's songs from the "Orange Cats" CD, with selected others. Kirk Elliott is a well known multi-instrumentalist and composer and as half of family entertainment duo Kirk and Magoo - their 2003 CD Mars Rocks! tied for Canadian Independent Music Awards Children's Album of the Year. Norm and Kirk's Orange Cats CD was nominated in the same category for 2004. Kirk's website features his multi-instrumental playing and recordings, mixing Celtic and other influences. The non-profit Annex Cat Rescue (Toronto), receives a donation from all sales of the Orange Cats CD. Please consider a direct donation of money (Canadian tax receiptable), or even specified goods, Air Miles or Canadian Tire money!! Go directly to www.annexcatrescue.on.ca for tips on cat care and for profiles and photos of kitties up for adoption. Or leave a message at 416 410-3835. Norm created a real musical community as a warmly encouraging host of several fine Toronto open stage series. Read details of featured performers at the last two series, "Norm's Living Room" at the Silver Dollar Room (2001-2002) - site of his first open stage! - and at the Tranzac (1999-2001). You may see many of them performing in Toronto and touring. Norm's other artistic hats have included stage actor (musical, dramatic and comic), festival artistic director, poet, soundtrack song writer (for Back to School with Franklin video - yes, Franklin the Turtle!) - more in his bio.
When Cats Go Wrong (book): This is
no ordinary melancholy ode to cats, naughty or otherwise. This is a song,
a tango composed and written by folk artist Norm Hacking and lavishly
illustrated with thick daubs of paint in the manner of a Toulouse Lautrec.
It all seems to prove that words, music and illustration played appassionato
become hilarious when deployed in the service of a cat gone wrong. Susan Perren, Globe and Mail, Oct. 9, 2004, p.D26
Orange Cats Make the Very Best Friends The songs
are catchy, cute, sometimes thoughtful... This is homey, friendly music,
just right for Norm's warm cozy voice. David Kidney's review at GreenmanReview
One Voice: A Tribute to Norm Hacking, Vol. 1
rich and varied collection... played and sung by a who's who of Canadian
folk musicians... celebration of a master songwriter... well written,
melodic works. David Kidney, GreenmanReview.com
Listen to the 19 songs comprising Skysongs and you will hear
first-hand Hacking's warm voice, as eloquent lyrics take flight on the
wings of ear-pleasing melodies... The 18-track
tribute ... demonstrates how good songs lend themselves to a variety
of interpretative approaches. Robert Reid, The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo), April
6, 2002, pE7 Norm Hacking is back with 19 of his country/folk tunes
that shine with refreshing honesty, thoughtful lyrics and sparkling arrangements...
Excellent songwriting and expressive performances make Skysongs
a winner. James Morgan, Dirty Linen (Dec 97 / Jan
98, p91-92)
Gene Wilburn, Northern
Journey 2 (1998)
The best song ever committed to vinyl ["Stubborn Ghost"] Greg Quill, The Toronto Star (1988)
For reviews spanning 28 years of recording, see Reviews. BUYING CDs / MORE INFORMATION -- UPDATED!!
Norm's three current music albums on the Three
Flamingos Music label are now available by secure web sales through
Outside
Music Distribution (Toronto) at www.outside-music.com/store/.
The CDs are also available in stores - or at events honouring Norm.
Many thanks to Festival Distribution of Vancouver for years of friendly
service. Norm's poetry and prose CD I Am the Night is available
from www.iridescentmusic.ca.
For more details, see Buy CDs / Contact
which includes some stores and a new address for Three Flamingos Music
label and recording services.
Join Norm's email newsletter list, ask a question, get updates on upcoming
events, The Ache CD release and other news, send an email to info
@ normhacking.com
(delete spaces) (note that any email appearing to be sent FROM this address is forged) Norm Hacking webpage contact: Web Design, Content and Photography: Shirley Gibson Website first established February 2001 Oct. 18, 2001 - Sept. 25, 2004: 6,604 Since September 26, 2004: Please link to this page as www.normhacking.com |
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