GROUCHO MARX liked Allan Fraser’s music so much he invited him for dinner at his home in the Hollywood Hills. The New York Times said of Fraser’s songs, “...with this range of feeling, dense imagery and unexpected depth, these words may well find a place in the oral tradition of poetry.” Fraser’s compositions have been recorded by John Oates (Hall and Oates), Tom Russell, Garrison Keillor with Andra Suchy, of Prairie Home Companion, Cal Hand with Leo Kottke, Pat Donahue, Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson, (also on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion), The Duhks, Penny Lang and Ron Hynes. NPR listed Allan’s signature song, Dance Hall Girls, as one of the 10 best songs of all time. Songwriter Hall of Fame member John Oates recorded Dance Hall Girls on two recent albums which he calls a tribute to the songs that shaped his career. Fraser was half of still influential musical duo, Fraser & DeBolt. They toured extensively and recorded two seminal albums with Columbia Records. CANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARDS nominee Marianne Girard has recorded three solo albums and appeared on many compilation albums, as artist and session musician. She has toured her music in North America and Europe to such praise as: “This Canadian Nightingale has not left my player in weeks” –RTL Radio Belgium. “... a revelation ... served exquisitely by a voice that’s unequivocally pure and unrestrained.” –Toronto Star “Consistently stellar performance.” –All Music Guide THESE TWO HIGHLY REGARDED CANADIAN singer/songwriters crossed paths many times in their solo careers. In August 2013, they met again over tea under a Japanese maple in Toronto. Joining minds, hearts and two lifetimes of music, Fraser & Girard emerged. Both write great songs. Their storied pasts of life on the road, of raising families, of a deepening sense of beauty and art, weave a moral and artistic fabric that is indestructible. Their enduring strength moves audiences to laughter and to tears. Together, they offer an abundance of riches. The resulting chemistry unfolds in spontaneous and unpredictable ways. Audience and industry enthusiasm were apparent from the beginning. The London Free Press describes them as “...an incomparable couple, both on and off the stage.” Soon after their initial performances in 2014, they began recording with producer Paul Mills (Stan Rogers, Sharon, Lois and Bram, Laura Smith). The album, Fraser & Girard, was released in June 2015, and continues to generate inspired media response. For three years, they lived with their two Siamese cats, 80 kilometers north of Toronto in Orangeville where they enjoyed Morris dancing, hiking and the best coffee in the world at their favourite coffee shop, Mochaberry. In August 2016, bulldozers appeared on their street and began months of destruction, chaos and dust. Wanting a better view, Marianne and Allan went to visit a friend in Italy... and stayed. Looking out over the hills of Umbria, they found renewed inspiration and continued to deepen their artistic work. They recorded several songs in a local studio while enjoying the wine and cuisine of the region. In December, they went to Mexico to spend Christmas in the sun... and stayed. With the new camaraderie of local musicians, their inspiration continued. They returned home for Ontario tour dates in May. They will spend the summer separately with family, Marianne in Melbourne, Australia and Allan, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In September, they reunite in St Andrews-By-The Sea, New Brunswick for a month-long artists' residency at Salty Towers. In October, they return to Italy to prepare for concerts and more recording. They will probably stay. REVIEWS: No Depression: The Roots Music Authority "THE WONDERFUL ALLAN FRASER - FORMER FRASER AND DEBOLT - FINDS A NEW PARTNER IN THE REMARKABLE MARIANNE GIRARD" "Many artists spend an entire career searching for their sound...(some,) in touch with their inner talent, can smoke out the necessary influences, styles and qualities but then they actually recreate something that becomes their own. This pulls at many traditional elements...I have heard pieces of this before but, in reality, this is new. It’s fresh, has drive and it's reintroduction to new ears is clever. I was captivated by Marianne Girard’s mature deep traditional-seeded vocals and Allan Fraser’s underlining vocal. The acoustic guitars thread and layer their notes together like the petals in a rose...I knew it was good, and most of all - enduring. Fraser and Girard are enduring. Fraser and Girard possess a special magic. Maybe it’s the power in their voices. It’s something beyond mere harmonizing...the two voices gel and become unified as one voice that belongs to no one vocalist... the lyrics are obviously part of the entire showcase. The fiddle-rich “Hard Time,” features excellent folk-inspired vocals by both Fraser and Girard. Another round of impressive lyrics and expressive melody. Allan Fraser is no stranger to fine songwriting and performing – having released two critically acclaimed albums on Columbia Records as the duo Fraser & DeBolt (1960’s and 1970’s) with the late Daisy DeBolt. This duo supported Tom Paxton and while wide success eluded the duo they were well-respected in their musical circles and consistently received glowing reviews. Fraser and Girard work off each other’s lead performances in a well-balanced fashion...Paul Mills provides a wonderful classical guitar and this adds to the resonance...appealing and impressive...These two singers fit well together. It’s like listening and revisiting the visual and distinctive songs of Richard and Linda Thompson... a stirring, compelling artery... runs through the material...an intelligent performance – the singing is emotional, it’s arousing and can be danced to...Lyrics that matter; what a concept!...a rustic Americana-Roots inspired foundation... These lyrics are...challenging and ambitious... The acoustic guitars ring and chime like back-up vocalists in the shadows ...fine melody, rich with sound, dramatic, and scuffed with traditional tone. This is a delight." Penguin Eggs: Canada's Leading Roots Music Magazine "Warm and wonderful!. Two great veterans of the Canadian folk music scene create hat magical connection of music and personality melding into a great musical whole; sensibilities seem to align perfectly, harmonies meld like butter...feels indescribably good to put on...feels like these two have been playing together for ever. The musical interaction seems passionate yet effortless, unforced and graceful. Pure unadulterated folk." Bob Mersereau, CBC Arts critic "Musical partnerships are touchy things; each person has to complement the other in just the right way. Even when there's magic, if one overshadows the other, the harmony wears out. Then it's goodbye, Garfunkel. C, S and N have all felt the sting of Y over the years. Even the Everlys couldn't take it any more by '74. So it's a brave move when a pair of established performers decide to put it all on the line, and commit to a duet or twelve. It could all come crashing down in a clash of egos and personalities if you choose wrong. But when the voices and talents match up, the results are spectacular. Both Allan Fraser and Marianne Girard have substantial folk careers already, as writers and performers. This is the actual folk music by the way, not a pop band with a banjo, sticking a layer of woosh-woosh on top. Both are top-quality writers, giving us insightful tales. In Girard's My Name Is Carol, she gives a voice to a damaged soul: "You've seen me there, along the shore road, in my motor chair." Fraser is less direct with his stories, more impressionistic: "Well, I was outside St. Louis when I heard the news, that you had inherited the St. Louis Blues, and transplanted them up to the north." Now comes the chemistry. They each have easy country voices that sound perfect together. It's the best Canadian folk duo mix since Ian and Sylvia."