LINDA McLEAN:
 "No Language"
(CD, Bongo Beat, 2006)

“There is a ‘holy trinity’ of Canadian singer songwriters, Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards and Linda McLean.” (CBC Radio, Best Of 2006).

Linda McLean lives in the forests of Northern Ontario, writing taut songs full of fire and emotion not easily forgotten. "No Language" is her second CD (the first released in North America); a strong follow up to the critically acclaimed debut Betty’s Room (2003, Rounder Europe), and continued evidence of prolific, finely crafted songwriting skills.

With a clear resonant voice and straight ahead guitar playing, Linda McLean has built a solid following of fans around the world, touring and playing solo or with her band, in Canada, UK, and Benelux, and showcasing at international festivals In The City (UK), SXSW (Austin), IPO (Los Angeles), Rockrgrrl (Seattle)  and NXNE (Toronto).

She has opened for Chris Whitely, Tim Booth, Ron Sexsmith, Stephen Fearing, among others, and shared songs, stories and stages with Stacey Earle, Jenny Whiteley, Bob Egan, Katherine Wheatley, David Celia, Jian Ghomeshi, Valdy and many others.

Linda has established herself as a respected professional among her musical peers, attracting top players to her recording sessions and live performances including drummer Gary Craig (Anne Murray, Bruce Cockburn, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), bassists Maury Lafoy (Jann Arden, Sarah Harmer), and John Switzer (Jane Siberry) and guitarists Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco), and Tim Bovaconti (Ron Sexsmith).

As a songwriter, Linda has won the Best Songwriter Award at the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards for her song “Mandolin”.

A gifted and prolific songwriter, Linda McLean has firmly established herself as a committed and focused global artist. Writing about life in the style of the great Canadian poet songwriters who inspire her, Linda stays true to her muse and integrates her love of lyrics with memorable melodies driven by guitar playing partner, Andy McLean. With few distractions and nowhere left to hide; building their home/studio atop an outcropping of the Canadian shield has provided the perfect habitat for fertile musical collaboration.

Her new CD, "No Language", released through the Vancouver based Bongo Beat label, with distribution throughout North America, UK and Europe, has found regular rotation on regional stations across Canada, charting action on college stations, AAA charts in the US, and various roots/alt country radio charts in the Benelux and the UK, including airplay on the Bob Harris show. The record has also garnered great press reviews, with Linda McLean invited to play guest spots at Acoustic Festival of Britain, Edinburgh Festival, and the prestigious Borderline in London. A Fall 2006 showcase promo tour of the UK, Spain, and Scandinavia will be followed by 2007 European/UK dates. 

“These are tunes with the ache and retrospective wisdom of a dame in her prime.” (NOW)

"Her material straddles the line between roots stylings and an adult contemporary-tinged sound à la Jann Arden or Sarah McLachlan... lyrics are gently introspective and reflective, and they possess the ring of hard-earned truths” (EXCLAIM MAGAZINE)

“McLean sings in a strong, gritty voice that delivers...with a sense of genuine emotion that transcends any language...”  ( LONESOME HIGHWAY, Ireland)

“No Language is built on a foundation of intelligent maturity... the beauty of her life in the forests of Canada bestows an emotional calm... No Language is an example of how complete an album can be....”  (NETRHYTHMS.CO.UK )