Arthur Samuel Barker has spun a lifetime of stories into his debut CD, Somewhere Under the Radar.
While the 60-year-old Red Deer resident has been making music off and on, between working on British oil rigs and in the trucking industry, he only lately got around to making a full-length album.
Barker doesn’t see it as a long time coming. Rather, “there’s a time and a season for everything — and this is it,” he said of creating his bluesy roots fusion album, which was produced by local musician Morgan McKee.
Somewhere Under the Radar will be released at a concert on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer.
“I made no compromises on it,” said Barker, who plays the guitar and harmonica on the CD.
Many of his songs are based on stories. For instance, he envisioned No Small Change “in my mind’s eye.”
It’s about a small-time gambler looking for a big money man because he doesn’t want to be considered small change, said Barker, a native of Dawson Creek, B.C., who’s lived in Central Alberta for the past 25 years.
Where Do We Go From Here is about what happens when someone is confronted by something consciousness-altering — like seeing bright, spaceship-like lights in the sky while driving alone on a deserted road.
“It’s like, you’re right on the wire,” said the singer/songwriter.
Barker hopes listeners enjoy his album, whether they appreciate its musicality or lyrics.
“I hope they come away with something.”
While he’s played with bands or as part of duos over the years, where Barker’s music career goes from here “is up in the air,” he said.
“If it’s carried somewhere on the wind,” he added, he’d love to keep right on performing.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $20 by calling 403-358-0330.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com