"Why Can't You See" was written in 1987 by me in response to the growing trend of gun violence on streets and in homes across the United States with its inevitable spread to my country, Canada. The insidious entry of violence into our homes started with its never-ending appearance on the nightly news followed by a widespread increase in its visibility in TV programs and movies.

In recent years terrible tragedies have broken hearts and families in the United States and Canada. The powerful influence of N.R.A. on US government politicians and institutions which make and enforce gun control laws has resulted in a society which now feels nothing can be done to prevent these imaginable and senseless acts of violence. It is the new normal - where innocents are sacrificed on the altar of the right to bear arms enshrined in the United States Constitution.

For Canada, the Montreal Massacre on December 9th, 1989 and the April 14th, 2014 mass killing in Calgary, Alberta have shocked and sickened the vast majority of Canadians. The impact on the families and communities is profoundly destructive.

In the United States these acts are more common. I have never been as devastated by anything as raw as the video of Richard Martinez, whose twenty-year-old son, Christopher, a college student at the University of California Santa Barbara, had been murdered the day before. Christopher and six others were killed in a mass shooting near campus. His father's message was an expression of unfettered grief, anger and searing pain. He laid the blame right at the feet of the N.R.A. and government officials and politicians who are doing nothing to stem the tide.

I know this song is preaching to the converted but I dug it out of my music archives and have made it available on SoundCloud.  In North America, more people are against violence than for it but their message and efforts to stem gun violence in particular, are fed into the shredder of a culture of fear financed by manufacturers of weapons and the N.R.A.  Why can't they see? 


Why Can't You See?

A new song, written on October 18th, 2014.  Recorded on November 14th, 2014. 

"With Me" is dedicated to a Canadian veteran, Johnny Duffney, who suffered from PTSD.  For more on Johnny's story see http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/11/10/fallen_soldier_was_the_bon_vivant_of_gananoque.html).

The song was written one day before Johnny took his own life was inspired by re-stringing my late brother's banjo (in picture on the right) and tuning it to sound of love I felt in that moment - his gentle presence.  Rick died from schizophenia  - took his own life in 1990 at the age of 29.

After learning about Johnny's tragic death (his partner is Linda Yaxley - who I went to high school with), I felt compelled to record "With Me".  My hope is that this song will help her cope and give her some measure of comfort - a reminder that he will always be with her and at times she may feel him close by...

I had the good fortune to share his company a few times since I moved home to Kingston in May of 2013.  Johnny made a big difference in the lives of those who knew him and loved him.  He was a beautiful, compassionate and kind soul and we feel his loss deeply. 

Linda heard this song for the first time on November 16th at a beautiful celebration of Johnny and his life in Gananque.  I performed it live - and managed to stave off tears.  

Duncan Holt and Doug Reansbury of Concept Audio helped me lay down this track.  Just me, my baritone Appalachian dulcimer and Duncan on Djembe. 

With Me

In advance of going into the studio for the first time in 19 years ... surviving a battle with mental illness that began in 1999 (right after the release of my first solo album 'Kick The Moon') ... the fourth track that I am making available for streaming and download, 'Can't Hold On' ... by Sandy Stubbert. From our 1988 album, the duo 'Two', produced by Ian Tamblyn.

Loose Marbles in a Big Wooden Box

Can't Hold On

In advance of going into the studio for the first time in 19 years ... surviving a battle with mental illness that began in 1999 (right after the release of my first solo album 'Kick The Moon') ... the fifth track that I am making available for streaming and download, 'Iceberg' ... by Mary-Ellen Anderson. From our 1988 album, the duo 'Two', produced by Ian Tamblyn.

Iceburg

In advance of going into the studio for the first time in 19 years ... surviving a battle with mental illness that began in 1999 (right after the release of my first solo album 'Kick The Moon') ... the sixth track that I am making available for streaming and download, 'Not Enough' ... by Sandy Stubbert. From our 1988 album, the duo 'Two', produced by Ian Tamblyn.

Not Enough

In advance of going into the studio for the first time in 19 years ... surviving a battle with mental illness that began in 1999 (right after the release of my first solo album 'Kick The Moon') ... the eighth track that I am making available for streaming and download, 'Foolish Pride' ... by Mary-Ellen Anderson. From our 1988 album, the duo 'Two', produced by Ian Tamblyn.

Foolish Pride

In advance of going into the studio for the first time in 19 years ... surviving a battle with mental illness that began in 1999 (right after the release of my first solo album 'Kick The Moon') ... the nineth track that I am making available for streaming and download, 'The Right' ... by Sandy Stubbert. From our 1988 album, the duo 'Two', produced by Ian Tamblyn.

The Right

My cover of Patty Larkin's beautiful song, "Coming Up For Air" from her amazing album "Perishable Fruit."  This is the 2nd song I performed at Hillside Inside 2018 in Guelph on February 10th, 2018.  For those who witnessed by performance in the store front of a shop called, "Fallowfield" as part of "Queers on Quebec Street" ... this is my thank you for you for supporting me and witnessing what I manifested for 30 minutes from 11 to 11:30 am.

Coming Up For Air by Patti Larkin (cover by Sandy Stubbert)

The first song I performed at 2018 Hillside Inside's "Queers on Quebec Street".  Deeply knowing the truth of things ... letting go ... closure - that is why I opened my set with this song.

The Greatest Killer by Ann Vriend (cover by Sandy Stubbert)

Starting today, March 13th 2018, I'll be recording tunes that I love to cover from my mom's kitchen on Jackson Mills Road in Kingston, ON. Love singing in this kitchen - fabulous acoustics.  Recorded on a little SONY recorder. Just me and my William Laskin six-string guitar. The first tune is "Circle", from Edie Brickell and the New Bohemian's debut 1988 album "Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars."  One of my all-time favourite bands and albums. Enjoy

Sony Record Demos

Circle by Eddie Brickell (cover by Sandy Stubbert)

My acoustic cover of "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. One of my favourite songs from 1979. Recorded on tiny Sony recorder in the kitchen of my mom's house. The second song shared as part of my "Kitchen Party of One" series for 2018.

Kitchen Party of One - Demos

Sailing by Christopher Cross (cover by Sandy Stubbert)

I wrote "Grad Song" in 1980, the year I graduated from Bayridge Secondary School in Kingston, Ontario. My first performance of this song was at the final school assembly.  I recorded this tune in my the kitchen of my mom's house in Kingston on a Sony recorder on June 17th, 2018. It is the third tune from my "Kitchen Party of One" series.

Kitchen Party of One Demos

Grad Song

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, mental health advocate.

Popular tracks by Sandy Stubbert