Best Of Valdy [Best of]

This collection of eleven songs by one of Canada's best balladeers, Valdy,is a nice and neat package of all of his major hits,with a few extras thrown in.Those who would like a little more look and listen might want to get "The Classic Collection" which contains these songs and six more.
Valdy got into performing music back in the 60s with short lived groups or with solo work.His father,a professional photographer,who disliked his son's career choice,forbade him the use of the family name of Horsdal.So he shortened his first name Valdemar down to just Valdy.
Valdy moved to BC(where he lives to this day),eventually securing a recording contract and getting released his first album "Country Man".The first song to catch my attention was "Good Song",then shortly thereafter "Rock and Roll Song".Canadian singer Murray McLauchlin had his back up band the "Silver Tractors" and Valdy in the same style had his "Hometown Band".
Valdy's hits kept on coming throughout the 1970s with some beautes like "Peter and Lou",one of my favourite songs of all time "Yes I Can" and "Dirty Old Man".His last major hit was 1978's "Hot Rocks".Since that time he has continued to record and tour but he has unfortunately never enjoyed the same success as he did back in the 1970s.Still in demand he tours today either solo or with fellow BC resident and musician Gary Fjellgaard.
Valdy has always had something to say as he writes and sings from the heart and about the vast land that is his native country.His voice compliments his delivery and style and his lyrics fit the music like a soft glove.He is pegged as a folk musician(which is in evidence here)but he can also rock out with the best of them when the mood requires it.Whatever "tag" you want to put on him Valdy is,if nothing else,one versatile and talented musician and always an original who does it his own way.One gets the impression that he doesn't care what labels people put on him and he just gets on with what he does best. For to do it in any way else would be a betrayal to his self and his fans and Valdy would never do either.He has kept true to his roots and musical principles for over 40 years now and he has no intention of changing or for that matter slowing down.
I invite all who have not had the pleasure of Valdy's musical "company" to give this disc a listen.It is a good starting point to get to know Valdy;the man and his music.

iTunes lists Valdy under Country & Western and, while the category may apply, his work is among the greatest Canadian folk music ever produced. Not to be overlooked.

I recently went to see Valdy locally and renewed my love of his music. I have several of his albums from YEARS ago which have seen better days. He graciously signed one that I brought with me. I have always loved folk music and he is a wonderful story teller. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed his music, it brought back a lot of great memories and I love that he is a fellow Canadian. Now the CD's are also getting well used.