Penny Lang

1942–2016

“Precious icon, this is what this woman is” Richard Flohil

“Lang’s CFMAs for Best Solo Artist and Best Contemporary Album capped off a triumphant comeback for the 64-year-old singer”

– Time Out New York called her “a Canadian cult folkie—an odd treasure”

Deep-rooted folk

A genuine living legend, Penny Lang has been called Canada’s “First Lady of folk” by the Globe and Mail. With her unique, earthy voice, she interpreted her own compositions, ancient ballads, roots-blues and love songs chosen from a repertoire of traditional and original pieces. Produced with the help and talent of friends Roma Baran and Vivian Stoll, her eighth album, Stone + Sand + Sea + Sky (2006, Borealis/Koch) earned two 2006 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Best Solo Artist and Best Contemporary Album and the Helen Verger Award at the 2007 Ottawa Folk Festival.

Penny Lang Tribute Concert

Connie Kaldor : Open Up Our Hearts to See / It’s Not Easy

Bobby Dove : Too Many Nights / Those Dance Hall Girls

Eve Goldberg : Spanish Moss / Keep on Walking Forward

Michael Jerome Browne : My Last Go Round / Let Me Fly

Dana Whittle, Béatrix Méthé, Colin Savoie-Levac : Family Reunion / Careless Love (Méchant Amour)

Skudfux Manu Solo : Special Song

The SkudFux : In The Pines

Bill Garrett, Sue Lothrop, Roma Baran : Come Across to You / Prairie Sky

Durham County Poets : Diamonds on the Water / Living with the Blues

Jason Lang : You are My Sunshine / Senses of Your Leave

Annabelle Chvostek : Happiness Is / Ain’t Life Sweet

Everyone : Frankie and Johnny

Penny Lang emerged on the North American music scene in the 1960s. Her powerful interpretations and originals in folk, blues, country, and gospel gained her a large and devoted following as “a superb singer of sardonic folk material . . . hugely entertaining” (Toronto Star). She also remained true to the art of entertaining, was keenly perceptive, and was able to read the mood of her audiences. No two shows were alike—she was a master communicator. Her songs were emotionally powerful observations of the human condition, sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious, and always memorable.

Born in Montreal’s east-end to a musical family, Penny Lang learned the ropes in prisons, hospitals, churches, camps, and dusty old theatres. In the 1960s, she performed at major folk festivals (Philadelphia Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival), folk clubs, and countless bars throughout North America. Her mentors were Dave Van Ronk and Kate McGarrigle; she hung with Stevie Wonder and the Reverend Gary Davis; and she adored Nina Simone and Pete Seeger. A near brush with fame occurred when she was asked to record Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne” for a major American label, but it was not to be. Her darkest years lay ahead of her, and Penny left regular performing in 1970 after the birth of her son, Jason.

In 1988, after some time living in rural Quebec, Penny re-emerged as a stronger woman and more powerful force. With the help of friends, she focused all her energy on songwriting and was welcomed back by an adoring public. She became the darling of le tout Montreal, virtually precipitating a folk/roots revival. Dobros, mandolins, harmonicas, accordions, singalongs, jump-ups, and improv were the magic of Penny’s shows, which could best be described as “happenings.” Eventually the rest of Canada caught. “When she re-emerged in the late ’80s . . . it was as if a folk music resurrection had taken place,” said Alan Neister of the Globe & Mail. Neister crowned Lang the “First Lady of folk.”

Since returning to the stage, Lang once again took to the road. In addition to performing countless shows throughout North America, she also toured to Australia, Italy, Denmark, France, and the UK. She had admirers everywhere. She also finally began to record and released six critically acclaimed albums on She‑Wolf/Festival. Yes (1991), Live at the Yellow Door (1992), Ain’t Life Sweet (1993), Carry on Children (1996), Penny Lang & Friends Live (1998), and Somebody Else (1999), brought Lang’s thoughtful songwriting and soulful vocals to the forefront. A new chapter of Lang’s career began when she was signed to Canada’s top folk music label, Borealis. A compilation titled Gather Honey garnered Lang her first Juno nomination. This collection of bootleg tapes and archival recordings from 1963 through 1978 paints a wonderful portrait of the folk era of the time.

Penny Lang’s eighth recording, Stone + Sand + Sea + Sky, was released in 2006. Produced by Grammy-nominated, New York-based Roma Baran and Vivian Stoll, the album received excellent press and steadily climbed the folk music charts. Penny Fest was presented in 2009 and 2010 in Montreal as a way to welcome Lang home after her move to the Sunshine Coast, BC.

Lang received many awards, including the Prix Folqui (lifetime achievement) award from Folquébec and two Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2006 for Stone + Sand + Sea + Sky. She continued to perform in her adopted community of Madeira Park, BC, until she passed away peacefully in 2016.

“I first heard Penny sing at the Montreal Folk Workshop . . . I heard passion, I heard vulnerability, and I heard complete candour about pretty much everything. She’s a gospel voice, you might say, a gospel singer with the blues.” Jesse Winchester