Click album covers to learn more:
Touch Me Tender (1984) – single
Judi’s very first 45 rpm release
Words and music by Judi Cleveland.
Music arrangement by Bill Schnare.
By the River Broad (2006)
An eclectic collection of original music.
You’ll see that this CD is varied in approach, ranging from “Survivor”, which is Country/Rock, to the artistic desolation of “Frost”. “Woman of Glass” and “He’s My Man” have a country flair, while “Widow’s Walk”, “Lunenburg”, and “Wind Off The Sea” are flavoured with the Maritime air.
If you love a love song, check out “If My Heart Had Wings” and “Still”.
And the novelty tune, “The Tail Song…” well, that kinda speaks for itself! All original, all new to you and I hope there’s something here that sparks your interest.
CREDITS:
All melodies, lyrics and lead vocals by Judi Cleveland. All songs SOCAN. © 2006 Judi Cleveland.
Produced by Tim Feswick at Feswick Productions.
“Frost” produced by Robbie Smith.
Tim Feswick – guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, background vocals
Robbie Smith – guitars, violin, recorder, banjo, kalimba, ukulele, background vocals
Donnie Crosby – keyboard on “If My heart Had Wings”
Chris Churchill – percussion on “Frost”
Additional background vocals by Cathy Cook and Shelley Meisner
Cover Art:
Judi Cleveland – illustration
Linda Ross – photography
Timothy Gillespie – graphic design
Broadside Ballads (2011)
A compilation of original songs inspired by life along Nova Scotia’s beautiful south shore.
Ahoy!
During the early 1980’s, possibly just after writing the song “Nova Scotia”, I can remember sitting in my living-room playing my guitar as dreams danced through my mind that I would one day like to produce a collection of my locally-inspired material…for pleasure, posterity and for the province I love. The materialization of that vision is the CD “Broadside Ballads”, thirty years of dreaming and writing new songs. Through them, I have attempted to communicate my appreciation for the history, natural beauty and unique character of life along Nova Scotia’s south shore. It is with love and pride that the salt flows through this “Bluenoser’s”veins.
To all who have participated in and/or encouraged the production of this CD, my sincere and heartfelt thanks. Your contributions have been “instrumental” in making this project happen.To my producer Tim Feswick, there aren’t enough words to cover it. Thank you for your patience, insight, humour, friendship and incomparable production talent.To my family, friends and my province, I dedicate this CD with love.To all who take the time to listen, thank you.
Wishing you peaceful waters and may love fill your sails.
CREDITS:
All melodies, lyrics and lead vocals by Judi Cleveland. All songs SOCAN. © 2011 Judi Cleveland.
Produced by Tim Feswick at Feswick Productions.
Tracks 5 and 10 produced by Robbie Smith.
Assistant engineers: Alex Buchanan and Cameron Harding
Judi Cleveland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Tim Feswick – guitars, bass, accordion, drums, percussion, background vocals
Robbie Smith – guitars, bass, violin, recorder, banjo, mandolin, keyboard on track 10, background vocals
Alex Buchanan – background vocals
Donnie Crosby – keyboard
Shane Hatt – drums
Cover Art:
Judi Cleveland – illustration
Linda Ross – photography
Warren Wagner – graphic design
Broad Illusions (2016)
A woman’s journey in song through love, loss and rebirth.
May solace strengthen your wings.
Broad Illusions traces a heart’s journey through the pain of lost love and dreams to a place of self-knowledge and rebirth. The scenery on the cover varies with perspective; each song unveils a different view along the route of the psyche. You’ll find a basketful of food for thought and are invited to take time to dine in the company of many others. All travellers on love’s road in one way or another; seeking direction where there is no map; sharing experiences toward a personal destination. Bon voyage… May you’re heart be lightened and your wings readied…
CREDITS:
All melodies, lyrics and lead vocals by Judi Cleveland. All songs SOCAN. © 2013 Judi Cleveland. Released 2016.
Produced by Tim Feswick at Feswick Productions.
Tim Feswick – guitars, bass, percussion, background vocals
Kristen Hatt Lewis – background vocals
Robbie Smith – guitars, violin
Donnie Crosby – keyboard
Cover Art:
Judi Cleveland – illustration
Linda Ross – photography
Warren Wagner – graphic design
Radio Songs (2016)
When I was a little girl, I loved the “larger-than-self” old floor-model radio commanding center stage in our living-room. I spent hours twirling her dials and pushing her red buttons. She expanded my world, introduced the languages of foreign countries and heartfelt music into my life and inspired my imagination.
The cover caricature is creating lots of static about love, life, being played, neglected, objectified and rising above.
Radio Songs was a joy to create. I hope there is something for everyone in these songs she has selected for you!
CREDITS:
Melody, lyrics and lead vocals by Judi Cleveland. SOCAN. © 2016
Produced by Tim Feswick at Feswick Productions.
Tim Feswick – all instruments, background vocals, production and engineering.
Thanks to Tim for his excellent job (as always) of A-1 engineering and production on this project. Also, for his time, attention, imagination and superb background vocals…and for eating a plethora of home-cooked studio meals with minimal grumbling. 🙂
Alex Buchanan – graphic design
Linda CraigWilson – photography
The Universal Woman (2018)
Through a blend of illustration, poetry and song, this project is intended to shed light upon the oppressive, unequal and abusive conditions under which many woman exist around the globe and to stimulate intelligent, positive and dignified discussion as to how those conditions might be improved.
The figure is genderless, colourless and borderless. It illustrates “thought” as it progresses from the darkness of force to the lightness of peace, changing what is…to what is possible.
The hope is, through true awareness, understanding and genuine recognition of a malignant, systemic societal problem, laws and minds will change to make our world a safer, more productive place for all to live.
Feel free to SHARE and cast light.
This piece also has an accompanying animated music video, available to view on the videos page.
CREDITS:
Melody, lyrics and lead vocals by Judi Cleveland. SOCAN. © 2016 Judi Cleveland. Production completed in 2018.
Produced by Alex Buchanan at HarbourTone Productions.
Alex Buchanan – piano, organ, bass Lisa Buchanan – background vocals Allan Crosby – drums
Artwork:
Judi Cleveland – illustation
Alex Buchanan – graphic design
Melissa Strachan-Boutin – artistic contributor
About my music:
You might say I’m an accidental singer-songwriter, accidental, because I never intended to be, never thought I could be. I simply stumbled midlife into songwriting while needing to cure a broken heart. As a child, I always longed to take singing lessons and learn to play the guitar but was not permitted because I didn’t practice the piano very well. Then, at age thirty-two, while canvassing for a charity, I encountered a guitar for sale for thirty dollars. And so, flashing back to age seven and hearing those indelible words of my piano teacher telling my mother “I’ll teach her if you want to pay me but the child has no music in her”, that guitar and I simply fell in love…instantly, completely, accidentally …and that affair was to last a lifetime. I bought it within the hour and, as I held it as mine, I could feel my heart mending as if I held a seamstress of the soul. But, after three formal lessons proved to be as painful as my ten years of piano, I decided that, for me, music had to be fun or not at all. And so, being a writer of poetry, I began creating words to help me learn chord changes. To my amazement, folks enjoyed listening and encouraged me! After what seemed a lifetime of musical discouragement, I had finally found some music in me! I rejoiced for the muse and for whatever I could create. Music has been the icing on my cake of life and, for this added dimension, I was, am and will be forever thankful. It gives me great pleasure to bring pleasure to others through my writing.
The sixth song I wrote was called “Lunenburg” and, through a series of events, it “accidentally” came to the attention of a local music teacher who arranged and transcribed it. The sheet music was sent to then television personality Noel Harrison (son of Rex) who performed it at Lunenburg’s 225th anniversary celebration, surprising me with praise in front of everyone. He told the crowd that this was not just “another town song” but was beautiful and should be used as the town’s anthem for such occasions. I was thrilled, nervous and overwhelmed…creating music was all so new to me then. To this day, decades later, that song is still performed at special events and music festivals held there. Each time it is used, I feel very honoured.
Shortly after that occasion, sheet music in hand, I visited my former piano teacher. I was excited to share with her what I had created. She seemed amazed as she studied the paper then sat before her piano. Together, on the same bench where frustration had been for so many years, we finally shared the “music in me”. The melody that had played in my brain poured out through her fingers. It was an incredible feeling, an unforgettable moment. I suspect I might have been her only pupil to present her with an original composition. I had been her least shining star. For both of us, that day seemed bittersweet, a combination of pride and of, somehow, having missed each other’s boat.
But, from those simple beginnings, a musical journey has ensued that continues to surprise and thrill me to this day and, for all that has followed, I will always be grateful…