Singer songwriter, JUNO Award winner, and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Gene MacLellan, the self-effacing songwriter from Prince Edward Island, continues his reissue series with the release of his 1977 album If It’s Alright With You, out April 25 via Universal Music Canada. This new re-issue follows the recent re-issue of his debut album Gene MacLellan that included both the original 1970 self-titled debut Gene MacLellan and its U.S. counterpart Street Corner Preacher album. If It’s Alright With You will be available as both a remastered digital edition and limited-edition 180-gram Black Vinyl. Pre-order If It’s Alright With You HERE
With the success of the hit songs MacLellan penned including “Snowbird” (Anne Murray) and “Put Your Hand In The Hand” (Ocean), he quickly became a household name in Canada, and an in-demand songwriter in Nashville and Los Angeles. For many, the acclaim would be a dream come true, but MacLellan was cut from different cloth – he did not want the attention, did not need the adulation, and did not trust the money. In 1971, to try to escape the pressures and constant demands, MacLellan and his new wife Claudia moved to an isolated farmhouse on Prince Edward Island, without a phone or even running water at first, but even in isolation, the requests kept piling up.
In June 1972, MacLellan announced he was quitting the music business, and so the next part of the MacLellan legend was formed; he quit music, gave away his fortune, and disappeared. The reality was that the retirement lasted about a month. After a miserable few weeks traveling in Europe, the couple split up, and MacLellan moved to Toronto, and was back on stage at The Riverboat. MacLellan was still writing, and new, moody songs were mixed with numbers that hinted at his religious background. Anne Murray recorded “If It’s Alright With You” for her 1975 album Together, while MacLellan held on to “Faces,” about feeling alone in a sea of people.
In 1976, finally up to making another record, he was in the studio with producer John Capek (songwriter for Rod Stewart, Diana Ross) and a first-rate band featuring Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Prakash John (Parliament, Lou Reed), drummer Whitey Glan (Mandala, Alice Cooper) and studio ace Bob Mann on guitar (James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt). The sessions were more polished than MacLellan’s previous work, with keyboards, backing vocals, strings, and horns playing big roles. “Won’t Talk About Love Anymore” reflected his spiritual search, “Natural Born Friend” had a brightness and optimism, while “One With You,” spoke to his new marriage and renewed faith. Anne Murray also contributes vocals to two songs. Billed as ‘special friend,’ she appears on “Shilo Song”, one of MacLellan’s most beautiful compositions, and “Put Your Hand In The Hand” which he finally got to record for himself.
While “Snowbird” remains an integral part of Canadian culture, and “Put Your Hand In The Hand,” “The Call,” and “Bidin’ My Time” are still beloved, MacLellan’s own recordings have all but disappeared. This album has not been reissued since going out of print shortly after its release, nor has his debut, Gene MacLellan/Street Corner Preacher. Finally, it is a joy to be able to bring these recordings back for the many fans who have wondered about him over the years, and to introduce these exceptional compositions to a new generation.
This long sought-after reissue of his now 1977 Canadian classic has been remastered and will be available as both a remastered digital edition and limited-edition 180-gram Black Vinyl on April 25, 2025, and includes updated liner notes from Canadian music writer Bob Mersereau, who’s previous credits include the best-selling The Top 100 Canadian Albums, and The History of Canadian Rock ‘n’ Roll. Juno-winning artist and daughter, Catherine MacLellan recently performed a series of theatre shows featuring the songs of her father. “The Songs of Gene MacLellan” part concert, part memoir, and both Bob and Catherine are currently writing the definitive biography of Gene MacLellan.
It’s time to dispel the myths, for fans to gather and share their stories of Gene and most importantly to celebrate the music of Gene MacLellan.
Gene MacLellan – If It’s Alright With You tracklisting:
A1 Put Your Hand In The Hand / A2 Ain’t No Tellin’ (How Time Flies) / A3 Canterbury Song / A4 If It’s Alright With You / A5 Shilo Song / B1 Natural Born Friend / B2 Won’t Talk About Love Anymore / B3 When You’re Not Around / B4 Faces / B5 One With You
