Life Strikes Again

• Track Listing

Ashley George returns with his second solo acoustic album, Life Strikes Again. The album is produced by ECMA award winning producer Dave Gunning at Gunning's Wee House of Music Studio. The album features the musical talents of many contributors including Fleur Mainville, Mike Hiltz, Albert Dunnewold, Nikki Veniot, and Gunning himself. The sophomore effort is sure to satisfy fans of the Pictou, Nova Scotia singer/songwriter whose 2009 debut, Next Goal Wins, earned him notoriety and even a spot at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. The album is comprised of 13 original tracks including Mark My Words, Corner of Denial, The WIndow, Poppy James and the title track. Pictou Advocate George releases second solo album Posted on June 8, 2011 Debbi Harvie Every once in a while an album will come out that really speaks to the listener, with it's frank content and lyrical riffs. One such album is local musician Ashley George's latest release, 'Life Strikes Again.' As the second solo album for George, 'Life Strikes Again' is a more in-depth, 13-track album which traces George's life experiences. "One of the songs I wrote for my mom," says George, "and I also wrote a song for my daughter, Poppy James, who I dedicated the album to." The acoustic album was recorded at Dave Gunning's Wee House of Music studio in Lyons Brook over the past few months. "With this album, we really had to work around each others' schedules, recording just a bit at a time," explains George. "I find when you record this way, you really get to take in the songs and think about what changes may have to be made." George hopes this album is his best to date. "I think my song writing has matured and evolved over the last two years, since the release of my first solo album," he says. "I have played my new album for a few people and they really seem to enjoy it; I think it's a step up." The album originally had 15 songs, but two were cut to make the compilation flow more strongly. "I also used a lot of different instruments on this album like the xylophone, banjo and organ," says George. "I'm not changing my style, just opening up the door and playing with some different sounds whereas on my last album it was just guitar and fiddle." 'Life Strikes Again' also includes cameos from local musicians including Dave Gunning, Albert Dunnewald, Fleur Mainville and Niki Veniot. "I'm really excited about this release," says George. "I have been playing some of my new tracks including the first single, 'Mark My Words' and so far I have gotten a really good response." For George, the song-writing process never stops. "I am always writing. Sometimes I will sit down with a topic and write a song around that or other times it will start with a unique riff and evolve from there," he says. "I like both because in one instance you have a song that flows and in the other, it's more creative when you free-style." George plays every Thursday at the PressRoom Pub and Grill in Pictou beginning 9 p.m. and will be playing venues like the Pictou Lodge and wedding ceremonies throughout the summer as well as the Jubilee, Festival of the Tartans and other shows accompanying Fleur Mainville. The release party for the album will be an all-ages show slated for mid-June at the PressRoom.