Quotations
“Francey has made a reputation for himself as one of Canada's most revered folk poets and singers…[His songs] are small and beautifully crafted pieces of work that have made Francey both a folk festival favourite and something of a latter-day Canadian poet laureate.” - Greg Quill, The Toronto Star
Francey has emerged as one of Canada’s most gifted songwriters.
The Montreal Gazette
"David Francey's songs are lean, whippet-like creations, a bit like the man himself. With not one wasted word or superfluous line he takes the everyday, often mundane business of living and elevates it into something infinitely more noble and memorable, the mark of a truly gifted songwriter." - Eric Bogle, Australia
David is the most exciting new narrative songwriter to emerge in many years
Brian McNeill, Head of Scottish Music. Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
“David Francey’s voice is a revelation, full and melodious, not to be missed” - The Berlingske Tidende, Denmark
Francey is indeed a unique songwriting voice with few peers
Mike Devlin, Times Colonist
“A former carpenter who has quickly established himself as one of Canada’s most revered folksingers, alongside names like James Keelaghan and Stan Rogers.” - Martin Kemp, FFWD
One of the best shows in our 32 year history! David is a singer, songwriter and storyteller with wit, insight and social conscience. His songs, musicianship and relaxed honesty created an instant rapport with our audience, which he held through the last encore. His CDs are great, but he's truly incredible on stage.
Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House, Chicago Illinois
“David Francey is the best Canadian folk writer that I have heard in 20 years. Quite simply, almost every song I've heard so far I wished I'd written. I think that he is going to be a voice in this country for a long time and that his songs will be sung by my great, great, great grandchildren.” - James Keelaghan, Winnipeg, Manitoba
I usually try to catch a song or two from the opening act to see what they do. When David Francey opened for me, though, it was a whole different ballgame. He is a riveting performer and writer. I stayed the whole set. I just couldn't pull myself away to go back and tune up. I'm now a big fan.
Bill Morrissey, Tamworth, New Hampshire
"I sat on a workshop stage at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. A scruffy man in shorts and work boots stood up to take his turn. What I heard were words of eloquence...beauty...and charm...hung on a jewel of a voice...the man was David Francey." - Kieran Kane, Nashville Tennessee
My favorite songwriter since John Prine
Harvey Reid, York Maine
“David's songs are meant to be sung, and the more voices there are singing them, the better they sound. They are also built to last - so well put together that they are rich in that beauty which is perhaps the most elusive of all, simplicity ... that kind of economy of expression where the line between craft and art is crossed. - Dugg Simpson, Vancouver Folk Music Festival
the likeliest candidate for all-Canadian folk singer” …
Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen
“one of today’s finest folk-based singer-songwriters.” - Mike Regenstrief, Singout Magazine
This album is stunning…“Skating Rink” is a superb collection of 13 magnificent songs.
Les Siemieniuk for Penguin Eggs
”The third album [“Skating Rink”] from the Juno-winning carpenter-turned-songwriter is something of a tour de force, a collection of 13 reflective pieces that contain countless compelling observations, yarns, confessions, hopes, dreams and regrets, all wrung from lives, homes and landscapes that are hauntingly familiar, undeniably Canadian.” - Greg Quill, The Toronto Star</p>
…lyrics that are elegant, spare and chilling
Jerome Stueart, The Yukon News on Skating Rink
“Far End of Summer, a brilliant collection of original folk music” - Peter Cooper, The Tennessean, Nashville TN
In an age when society seems to be moving at a pace faster than time itself, it is refreshing to come across an album that brings the frantic tempo of life down a few notches. With a beautiful simplicity, David Francey’s sophomore release [Far End of Summer] is just that, a non-complicated offering of stirring harmonies, acoustic instrumentation and finely crafted lyrics.
Martin Kemp, Calgary Record
“Torn Screen Door, David Francey’s debut release, filtered slowly – mostly by word of mouth – out across Canada… It brought with it, instant credibility. Far End of Summer now follows that wonderful, irresistible initial recording…Once again his lyrics, and the lovely melodies he writes, reach into your heart and stay there….Each [song] is a little miniature masterpiece of understatement, yet brimming with insight and emotion.” - Les Siemieniuk, Penguin Eggs
David Francey seemed to come out of nowhere when he released Torn Screen Door in 1999. Although the album was hailed by critics everywhere, good old-fashioned word-of-mouth made Francey one of the most exciting traditional folksingers around. Far End of Summer offers 15 songs that pick up where Torn Screen Door left off. In fact, the second album is a seamless continuation of its predecessor.
Robert Reid, The Kitchener Record
“His [Francey’s] songwriting reveals the love of the country that so often marks a first generation immigrant, and the individual tunes reflect a clear fascination with the diversity of this country and its people. With Far End of Summer, Francey has produced a collection of tunes that hold up very well to repeat listening. This is one of those albums where I find the tunes running through my head even after the CD is over. Francey seems to have absorbed the best of the folk tradition in his very bones, and his vocal stylings are perfectly suited to the music. - Gregory R. McGuire, The Antigonish Casket
One can hear his Scottish roots in his vocals, but what you will also hear are songs so well crafted that you will swear they are part of "the landscape " of human experience that have been a part of acoustic folk legacies since songs were first uttered/performed.
Chris Darling, host of Us Folk on Torn Screen Door
“David Francey's Torn Screen Door CD is one
of the very best albums I've heard. I've found words and melodies
from the album going through my head again and again. Find
it and buy it...you won't regret it.”
Vic Bell, the Nickelodeon, Calgary, Alberta
…songs that go straight to the heart and stay there…
Rich Warren for Sing Out! Magazine on Torn Screen Door
