The (official authorized) Ptarmigan page

Lion ProductionsGlen Dias & Monte Nordstrom : Ptarmigan (CAN,rec.1973)*****

I have no idea why it took so long before a label finally reissued this gem. Years ago already I traced Monte Nordstrom, and with his help I had built a kind of fan website. He did send me all original photographs, which I scanned and edited carefully. Some of these and many more were added in the booklet on this first official cd-reissue, along with Monte’s extended biography, together with the “memories of 1970” which were both already added in the privately released CDR of Ptarmigan, as well as a Ptarmigan interview by Paul Horn, and also press articles from the time the LP was released. The only thing which was not added was any of the two bonus tracks which the CDR also included, which were two Montstrom tracks from 1978, something that was perhaps also already one step away from the original Ptarmigan concept.*

Already years ago I was lucky to have found the bootleg LP of Ptarmigan, which I still appreciate very much for its unique folkpsych flavour which I can't compare to much else. It has a dreamy droney guitar playing with harmony vocals and some flute and sparse touches of percussion (by Peter Wheeler), and electric bass (by Richard Mayer) and acoustic bass (by Dave Field). The fact that there was not added much percussion contributed much to its unique style. Especially from the moment when the main theme of "the Island" starts, with tempo changes, dreamy spheres and beautiful voice taking the listener into spatial heights. Along with the soft bongo drums and brilliantly brooding acoustic guitars and seagull like touches of what almost sound like electric guitar effects (created by moving my a silver pinky ring against the strings of the 12 string guitar), and improvised jazzy recorder, one must realize its uniqueness, and rather psychedelic semi-eastern-tingled tension. From there, it becomes even more clear how musically conceptual the whole album is. The musical ideas continue after that in the same high level of tension, unfolding themselves into different parts, with portions of flute arrangements, oscillating guitar and vocal harmonies.

Ptarmigan was led by flute player and singer Glen Dias and guitarist and vocalist Monte Nordstrom. Being a sextet at some stage, they had attracted the attention of world fusion flutist Paul Horn, who became one of their greatest supporters. He recorded this sole record later on, and brought to the line-up contributor Kat Hendrikse on drums. This percussionist did a perfect job only emphasizing drums where needed, giving extra power on “Hymn to the Ocean”, and making the compositions breathe even more thoroughly.

It took almost a year before the recording finally was published. This brought some tensions between the duo, also due to the fact of limiatitions in sound. After they re-established with a new prromise, bass player David Aston, after one gig and still looking for a drummer, the bass player died by a car accident which made a devastated Monte leave the continuation of the project for good.

(Nowadays Monte Nordstrom is still active as a singer-songwriter, while Glen Dias continued to be a recording artist as a singer and instrumentalist).

Audio : "Go Dancing","The Island", "Ocean Song"

* -One of these tracks, "Chimborazo", was a song Monte was working on during the same year 1973, showing in which new direction Monte was heading to, to form an actual performing sextet called the Monte Nordstrom Band, which was also billed as "Maelstrom"-.

More details, biograhpy and so on see below->

Homepage : http://www.montenordstrom.com/A_Ptarmi_2.htm

Article : http://www.canehdian.com/genre/classicrock/a/ptarmigan/main.html

Other reviews : http://www.montenordstrom.com/A_Ptarmi.htm

& http://www.montenordstrom.com/a_revs.htm#A16

& http://www.montenordstrom.com/a_revs.htm#A15

& http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=436847&aid=468744

PS. Other great items lead by a duo flute and guitar are Flute & Voice and Rosae.

Also Flute & Voice will be reissued later this year by Garden Of Delights.

DISCOGRAPHY :

45 :

Vancouver/Go Dancing

(Columbia 4030) Samadhi Music BMI in 1974

LP :

First release (Columbia ES90257) in 1974

with limited European bootleg reissue in 1991.

Official private CDR reissue by Monte Nordstrom in 1999.

(with 2 bonus-tracks recorded in 1978.

-Songs are divided into more parts-).

CD was officially released by Lion Prod.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ptarmigan in 1971 : Glen Dias and Monte Nordstrom,

original Columbia Records promoshot. Photo : Ken McKenzie.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Description of Ptarmigan's music :

Ptarmigan's music creates

passages of flowing dreamy progressive almost psychedelic folk.

According to "Dreams, Fantasies and nightmares from far away lands" :

"The Ptarmigan album is an acoustic mellow laid back early seventies hippie folk offering. There are plenty of recorder passages and strummed guitars and the album has a light pastoral feel overall. It includes both of the 45 cuts, which are certainly the most accessible songs on the album. Side two is dominated by two long and largely instrumental tracks."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Line-up :

* Glen Dias : lead vocal, alto, tenor & bass recorder, incidental percussion

* Monte Nordstrom : vocals, 12 string guitar (lead vocals on "A great northern Lake")

* Kat Hendrikse : drums

* Dave Field : acoustic bass

* Richard Mayer : electric bass (on "The Island")

* Peter Wheeler : hand drums

Credits :

* Producer was Paul Horn

* Engineer was Keith Stein

* Mix by Paul Hom & Kelth Stein

* Poster Art: G.R. Shankaruk

* Cover Art & Photo: Glen Dies

* Ptarmigan Logo: James Norquay

* All songs composed by: Glen Dias & Monte Nordstrom

Recording :

Album was recorded at CanBase (Mushroom) Studios in Vancouver, Canada.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETAILED BIOGRAPHY (with pictures) -©.1999 Monte Nordstrom- :

The original 6 : James Lithgow,Monte Nordstrom, Shawn Mullins, Michael Bieling, Dennis LeLonde & Glen Dias. Ptarmigan concerts often included on stage tea parties. Photo : Ken McKenzie.

Monte turns 18, partying with Lenny at Rose's in the Pestalozzi.

the club with a cake from the staff & a carton of cigarettes from Lenny. That weekend the club owner, John Russo took the duo aside to tell them that Doug Kershaw was a no-show & that Lenny was held over but that he could not afford to keep ptarmigan on. Lenny turned to them & said in his quiet way, "That's O.K. boys, I'll pay you." A 2nd week followed after all. (By the way, the pay for the week was $80.00 divided 2 ways). Socializing with Lenny for 2 weeks was quite an experience!

Ptarmigan stayed on in Ottawa hanging around at Le Hibou meeting Bruce Cockburn who had just released his 2nd album "High Winds, White Skies" & spending an evening with Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. They also guested with the avante garde ensemble Syrinx. Winter was winding down so a bus trip to Montreal was arranged. Bob Hahn of Astra Records had contacted ptarmigan prior to their journey but their meeting in Montreal was unfruitful & the duo returned to Ottawa. Perth County was playing there so they hooked up with them & after their show they caught a ride on their communal bus back down to Toronto & a Perth concert at the University of Toronto. The duo now used the return portion of their train tickets & again they performed at the Ting in Winnipeg. Monte recalls, "we later learned that Peter Wheeler had hitchhiked from the coast to Winnipeg, trying to catch up with us, but he missed us by a few days and hitched back to the island before winter set in."

In Winnipeg they arranged to record a demo of their now seasoned material, with the intention of giving the tape to Paul Horn when they reached Vancouver island. The duo now continued by rail to Edmonton, then by bus back to the island. Back in Victoria, another chapter was about to unfold. Paul Horn liked what he heard on the tapes & he signed them to a publishing agreement with his company "Samadhi Music" & also to a producer & management package. The recording was done at Canbase (Mushroom) Studio in Vancouver during the fall & winter of 1972.

Monte Nordstrom & Band opening for Jesse Winchester at Cowichan Theatre,1978

with David Rowse,sx, James Lithgow, accoustic bass, Michael Bieling : congas

Monte Nordstrom has recorded an onegoing series of eclectic albums for Groovedigger Records: Silhouette of Our lnsanity 1978; Voodoo Rage '80-83; Nothing More Better '89-92,self-titled '94; Sunday Healing Service '94; Northstream '96, Live at JBI '98, and Sou'Wester '99. Since 1980 he has supported himself by performing music & continues to be based on Vancouver Island. He also contributes a feature column to Cosmic Debris Musicians Magazine (www.cvnet.net/cosmic)

Monte Nordstrom's Web Page : www.islandnet.com/monte

(-with a few sound samples of Ptarmigan, beside his solo work afterwards-)

Contact : nordstro@islandnet.com (home also for Groovedigger Records,

at Box 196 Crofton, BC, CANADA, VOR 1R0 Tel. (250) 246-4089 )

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PS.

What is a "Ptarmigan" ?

"The Ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska. In the summertime the ptarmigan is mostly brown, but in the wintertime the ptarmigan's feathers turn to pure white. This ptarmigan is changing from summer to fall colors with the first snowfall. The ptarmigan is a popular game bird in the Interior" (taken from http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/upk/here/ptarmigan.html )

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other small Web Page about Ptarmigan at : http://www.canehdian.com/genre/classicrock/a/ptarmigan/main.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solo release with lots of references to Ptarmigan ->

Reunion performance at "The Midsummer Affair", "Cowichan Affair", Cowichan Valley,1978

Glen Dias went on to develop a career as an actor / singer in musical theatre while Monte continued to write & record solo material with a variety of musicians including former ptarmigans Michael Bieling and James Lithgow.

After Ptarmigan folded, Glen Dias travelled to San Francisco, Tucson & New Orleans, making club appearances & performing as a busker. Relocating to Toronto, he pursued a career in musical theatre & landed roles in various productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables & Napoleon. He has also appeared as a studio musician on recordings by Kathy Stack, Roger Lee, Ray Montford, Angels For Tea, Geoff Bennett, Zombo Zombo, Mardi Jayde and Ani Coutino, among others.

In 1999 Glen Dias released his first solo CD entitled "Tip of the Iceberg", recorded with his band The Polarity Bears". (with a new version of "Go Dancing"). He also owns Elizagoth, a medieval store.

Bear Bones Music : Elizagoth, 97 Nile Street, Strattford, Ontario, Canada N5A7V4

Phone : (519) 273-5818 / fax : (519) 273-5796 E-mail : store@elizagoth.com

Dias with Nordstrom rehearsing before cutting record

(march 1974 ; photo KLaus Muenter)

The duo laid the basic tracks down on the first session & on the next date brought Richard Mayer in to play electric bass & Peter Wheeler to play hand percussion. Paul Horn brought in Kat Hendrickse on drums. On the 3rd session Paul's acoustic bassist Dave Field, came in to lay down the rest of the bass tracks & Glen did some vocal, recorder & percussion overdubs, it was mixed in jan.'73 & then the project sat on the shelf for over a year. It took that amount of time to find a label willing to release unusual project. Finally Paul leased the recording to Columbia of Canada who manufactured & released the Lp (& single "Go Dancing" b/w "Vancouver") in early 1974. Between the time of the recording & the release of the Ptarmigan LP Glen & Monte had not been very active musically. In fact the partnership had effectively been ended. The conflict of personality which had been there from the onset came to the fore & waiting a year for the release did not ease the tension. Faced with promoting the project they attempted to put their differences aside.

The Ting Tea Room Glen & Monte at the Ting Tea Room in Winnipeg,

1972 photo : Janet Ritchie (click Glen or Monte for better view)

The first stop was Winnipeg & their first dates at the Ting Tea Room. They began writing new material immediately, developing harmony structures & establishing their eerie west coast sound.

After two months on the Winnipeg scene the duo continued by train to an extended stay with the Macauley family in Scarborough. They auditioned unsuccessfully at Grumble's & The Riverboat in Toronto & ended up spending Halloween collecting candy for the Children's Hospital.

They performed at The Fiddler's Green appearing with Leon Redbone & the Downchild Blues Band. A visit to Hamilton turned into several weeks followed by a return trip to Winnipeg & the Ting, where they performed for Christmas & New Years, both memorable if strange occasions. A late night jam with members of Lighthouse occurred during this time.

A van trip across Northern Ontario ensued in January 1972 with Gary McKeehan, an independent CBC actor/producer & also a manager for Perth County Conspiracy (does not exist). They eventually ended up at McKeehan's rural home (near Stratford, where they visited at the Black Swan). A trip to Chicago was attempted but the two young men were turned back at Detroit due to their long hair, odd luggage & low supply of funds. They returned to Mckeehan's & plans were made to go to Ottawa following up on an invitation made by Rob Putt, (an audio technician they had met in Winnipeg). They continued on to Toronto by bus & were now without sufficient funds to carry on. After a night at the YMCA, one bus ticket for Ottawa was purchased & the 2 musicians flipped a coin to determine who would take the instruments on the bus & who would hitchhike the 500 miles through the sub-zero blizzard. Glen lost the toss & watched as Monte rode out on the Greyhound to Ottawa, 10 hours away. Monte was met in Ottawa by Rob Putt & had already secured a gig at a hippy cafeteria called The Kitchen Cinq, when Glen arrived some 5 hours later looking like the abominable snowman in his battered fur coat. Ottawa turned out to be an excellent environment for Ptarmigan.

James Lithgow, Glen Dias, Dennis Lolonde, Shawn Mullins, Monte Nordstrom

taken 1971-01-19 by Juli Porter for Pictorial Newspaper.

Ptarmigan was formed in 1970 when Michael Bieling introduced guitarist James Lithgow to vocalist / recorder player, Glen Dias. They began writing songs with Bieling accompanying on congas & soon added Dennis Lelonde on alto sax, piano & vocals; Monte Nordstrom on 12 string guitar & vocals with a second percussionist, Shawn Mullins. The sextet performed on Vancouver lsland & eventually came to the attention of the renowned flautist Paul Horn who had moved to Victoria, BC to escape the rigours of life in Los Angeles. He was impressed with the group's unorthodox style & encouraged the band to stay in touch. When the group fragmented with Lithgow & Bieling departing Peter Wheeler, an American percussionist, joined the band.

Northstream Music

Monte Northstrom : After All... (Can,2008)***

Songs and stories of people and places (2000) was one of the first albums I reviewed on my site. Back then and in those days, I was, while marking new directions and preferences, loaded by expectations, and therefore couldn’t find the comfort and perhaps maturity to really see what there was to offer outside certain scopes and taste, and also could not find many words to describe it. I just didn’t feel the same magic from Ptarmigan, felt the influences of bar performances where people won’t give attention to all, with loss of the previously felt dreamy atmosphere, formed by circumstances and multiple talents, and so, for me it felt as if the creative inspirations suffered from it.

Eight years later, Monte came up with a resume of his own thoughts and feelings during the years of Ptarmigan, before and after, until now, and with this release deliberately wanted to show the connection within his life with all that. It gave me the best chance to feel what he really wanted to say, made in best circumstances and fine fine cooperative musicians (like Peter Gustavsson, from Sweden from whom I have heard years ago some demo of acid folk inspired songs). The song titles are translated into 10 languages (including Dutch).

The album is split into two parts, starting with "After All... Songs of Fate & Mortality", which is said to be about some life & death experiences. It is a song cycle about the loss of a relationship and the memory of some unaccomplished moments from the past, daydreaming on its unity, and trying to reach a future meeting point beyond eternity, while taking certain metaphors which reveal that such a moment will increase the awareness of who we really are, as a new meeting point of consciousness. In the context of the record sleeve, a native Indian paining in the form of a shield or drum, it gives this song cycle a kind shamanic wish and cry to transcend all this, but on a normal human level.

The songs are performed and well produced with a full band arrangement (which is fundamentally guitars, bass, and drums, with some additional instruments like soprano sax, harmonica, keyboards..). This gives these songs a rather well arranged rock feeling. Monte’s enjoyable voice sounds especially most terrific, and with certain surprising melodic variety, on “Precipice”.

The second part, "Ptarmigan & the Waiting" is based upon contemporary of previously un-produced recordings of previous groups, Ptarmigan and The Waiting. Four of these tracks, the best part, should have been added to the original Ptarmigan LP. We hear a moody improvisation on 12-string with drums, bass, soprano-sax and harmonica, followed by a song related with the seashore perspective and the thoughts provoked by the place. I guess the tracks are re-recorded for this album. “Song of The East” has a small segment of strange singing adapted like on Pharoah Sanders “Tembi”, but of course in a compact song-related folk-rock context. The style of these songs fit best with the first cycle, and unites mostly the song based context of Ptarmigan with the new ideas, with mellotron and organ and guitars more as an arranged, texturing background, and a small, a more down to earth improvised part (on “deep green”), enjoyable.

Monte's Home Page at www.islandnet.com/monte

Info on Montstrom : http://www.cdisle.ca/store/en-us/dept_299.html

with this release : http://www.cdisle.ca/store/...

or on http://clear-spot.nl/catalog/view.php?item_id=271110

Other review on http://www.geocities.com/asdfasedf2/yetanother36.html