MUSIC FOR GROWNUPS:
Available Now!

Ish's debut CD for Adults is a baker's dozen of 12 Original Folk, Bluegrass, Soft Rock, and Blues Tunes, plus a unique re-arrangement of "Misunderstood".

This CD features Ish's heartfelt lyrics and vocals and some wonderful Musicians that bring his songs to life.

Although best known as a children’s and family recording artist Ish, throughout my years of writing and performing in that genre, I was also writing songs and stories about my many experiences. 

These songs represent the subtext of the real life going on behind my public life – the Loren behind the Ish as it were. 

I thought it was time to reach out and share this music and my thoughts with others.

Composing on guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and harmonica, my style is best classified as “Roots” – a combination of Folk, Blues, Soft Rock, Bluegrass, and Country (with a little Latin and Reggae thrown in) – and featuring harmonies and duets that enhance the instrumentation and meaning of the lyrics. 

My themes bounce around from love won and lost, to parenthood, contemporary social issues, life’s challenges, and, of course, messages of hope and joy.

Please visit my two Myspace Sites

You'll be pleasantly surprised!

 

My social issues songs span the years from “Is It My Imagination” written in 1976 when I started to develop a global social conscience, to “Who ya foolin” (80s) about civic responsibility, to “It’s a Shame” (90s) about viewing drug addiction and homelessness while working in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and finally “Gotta Give”  inspired by 9/11/2001. 

The “love” songs are written from many different perspectives from the title track “Go West on 17” inspired by my move to BC, to a song inspired by and dedicated to a  couple I know that are as much in love today as at their wedding 45 years ago “The B Side” to regret “Sweet Ellen”, to the desire to love and be loved “Do You See”.

And, of course, what could be more life-transforming than becoming a parent and I have chosen to include two of what I believe may be my most emotionally resonant songs, one a peaceful lullaby “Light of Day”* and the other about the anguish of being estranged from your child in “Second Time Around”.

On the other hand I have written songs more recently (2002, 2003), that are just plain fun to play and  listen to such as “Gone Too Far” and “Our Big Hit.” 

And, I chose to end off with “Misunderstood” **(1964), a song I was introduced to as a teenager and with which I have always identified, but with a new arrangement intended to rejuvenate this old classic.

I hope you enjoy listening to these songs
as much as I’ve enjoyed creating
and playing them all these years.

Thanks to all the musicians for the magic they bought to this recording. I was truly blessed to be in the studio with some of BC’s finest musicians.

We never used a metronome or click track and I would like to thank Grant Jones for his talent and wisdom in guiding us to the proper keys and tempos to enable this project to be recorded “off the floor” for a live energy.

And a big thank you to Sherman Doucette for “bringin the blues”, and Sabrina Weeks for “bringin the soul” that was integral to my sound and vision for this CD.

Thank you, Doug Perry for being the superb engineer that he is, as well as so much more. He provided both a studio atmosphere and technical expertise that brought out the best in each artist and performance.

Thanks also to my small circle of friends who have inspired me, hired me, & shared with me their love & concern...

ALL SONGS:

• Words and Music authored, composed, arranged & produced by Loren Bagelman.
• Performed by Ish and his Musical Friends.
• Recorded at Perry’s Recording Studio, Kamloops, BC, 2009.

Wow Ish.. I love the album. I got my copy and listened to it again and again. At first I had one favorite, then I had two and now I have to say that I love the whole CD.

I love the instrumentation and I love the writing, but most of all, I love the overall vibe of the piece. Great job, Ish!

When you go and record "Never Say Never", I want to sing on that album too!     —All the Best, Sabrina

Hey Ish, I caught your act at Skinny’s and love the grown-up blues-grass sound of “Ish & da Fish”. Can’t wait to get the new CD "Go West On 17"       — Shirley Grife (2008)