Sunday Sessions: Danny's Song from Anne Murray

Optimism, kindness, connection...

All those are part of Danny’s Song, which Kenny Loggins wrote for his brother.

photograph by Wayne Linton

Anne Murray explains the circumstances which led him to do so as she introduces the song in this vintage video.

I’ve been thinking about Anne Murray lately. At this writing the singer is set to receive at lifetime achievement award at The Juno Awards.

The Junos are equivalent to the Grammys, given to artists from Canada.

Anne is from Nova Scotia. After she retired from touring several years back, she returned to live there after many years of being based in Toronto.

Danny’s Song became a hit for Anne Murray, not her first, though, and by no means her last.

Her music took her all across the world, with her musicianship and her career often mentioned as inspiration by artists from Canada and elsewhere, notably including Canadian women with styles and backgrounds as diverse as Celine Dion, kd lang, and Shania Twain.

Murray’s song choices over the years have included country, folk, adult contemporary, Christmas music, and songs for children. There was always that voice, though, and a lively sense of humour that added spark to her concerts, too.

Anne has been one to support songwriters from Canada as well: her first big hit, Snowbird, was written by Gene MacLellan from Prince Edward Island. She returned to MacLellan’s work for other songs that went to hit status or were part of well received albums, also. Gordon Lightfoot, Robbie MacNeill, Bruce Cockburn, and Peter Pringle are among other Canadian songwriters whose work Murray recorded.

Heartwarming is a word often applied to Murray’s music and to her voice and style, with justice I think.

Heartwarming yes, also straightforward and realistic. As with Danny’s Song, these characteristics allowed her to deliver songs of hope and inspiration which in other hands and other voices might have seemed insincere.

Beyond the hits and the awards (there have been many of both) Anne also had interesting choices for album cuts, that is songs which were part of the dozen or so on a project which were not expected to be singles or go to hit status. Something for you to explore if Anne Murray’s music intrigues you...

I tend to prefer Anne’s country music myself, but there is plenty to explore in other genres as well.

Anne Murray has won a good many Juno awards. The Lifetime Award, though: they do not give those out often.

When Anne receives her Lifetime Achievement Award at The Junos, it will be just the second time one has been given.

Congratulations, Anne. Well done and well deserved.

You may also wish to see

Open Canvas Creativity: music from Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy who are from Nova Scotia and Ontario

Several more Canadian musicians to know about

Two other albums to explore, one from Scotland, one from Canada

Excellent places to hear music in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

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