Ferron is an independent, no-apologies singer-songwriter, who has reached legendary status in Canada and the United States. At 15 years old, she left home saying nothing to anyone, and thereby "faced her truth." This rocky beginning and attempt to make sense of it has evolved into a gift to us all. I first heard her in New York City when she played Gerdes Folk City. It was very close to the beginning of her career. It was a time in my life where I apologized for the type of music I played, since the industry had moved on years before. I am not sure she would characterize her music as folk, or progressive folk, but back in the 70s and 80s, that's what I would have called it. Her music is for thinking people, people excited by life's journey in all its variety, people who really want to hear the words. But the music is also moving and haunting, her long-time association with DB Benedictson and other musicians can be heard in her sound. To me, there is a longing in her earlier stuff that absolutely breaks my heart wide open. (Hear "Sunshine" and "A Girl on a Road.") Her later stuff has a wisdom borne of adversity (Hear "Shady Gate" and "Life is a Brook") and I just have to say, I could listen to this compilation CD forever. Everytime I listen, I hear something new. Her music adds to my life in a way I cannot quite verbalize. This CD is like dipping my hands into that well of beauty so many people forget is there and splashing it all over my face. It is real life, heartfelt and sublime.

I heard a most excellent track from Shadows on a Dime on the radio a while back and decided I must have it.

I found Impressionistic and, at the time, thought that the track Shadows on a Dime was also the track I was looking for so bought it. Nope. The tack I was looking for was "it won't take long", off that album but NOT on impressionistic. Anyway, am not impressed with this compilation. Not only does it not contain the most axcellent track I was looking for but is moslty not to my liking. A lot of material with about three good tracks, a lot of mediocre, and some [...]

If you've been jonesing for "Testimony" on CD, this will help calm the shakes, especially with "Our Purpose Here" and a PERFECT live version of "Ain't Life A Brook". Be you gay or just fey, these selections will help you ponder your life in musical clarity, with never a cliche from Ferron as your guide. There simply are not enough stars to rate this CD. Buy this NOW.

For the new or long time fan, this is a great compilation. I've heard her perform 3 times but don't have all of her recordings. This is a great mix from across her career and wonderful to listen to even if you've heard her music before.

Here is a wonderful collection of 28 of her most brilliant songs (nearly 2.5 hrs of digital bliss), gathered from nearly all her previous releases over a 30 year career. Several of the albums are presently out-of-print, so here is a wonderful opportunity to get what you can when you can. A beautifully designed booklet accompanies the double-CD, serving as an autobiography rendered in a cyclical, not linear, narrative: like seeing a Buddhist mandala, and finally ascertaining moments of import to the maker. This is your chance to own a well-chosen collection: makes a great gift, a Ferron sampler for all those impressionistic friends you've been trying to convince all these years about what a gifted artist we have in our times, and sometimes when we're lucky, in our towns. For Ferron Live at the Great American Music Hall, see her "Not a Still Life" CD.