Toronto – born Robert Atyeo has a pencil.

In the photo on the cover of his newest CD, it is not clear whether or not the pencil in the boy’s hand has an eraser. If it does, erasing is not required on this gem of a disc …

‘I Have a Pencil’ is Atyeo’s first new recording in fifteen years. The singer/ songwriter/ guitarist took that time to raise his son as a single father in Knowlton,Qc  – part of what is known as the Eastern Townships.

” There’s no place for touring when you have a young boy.” Says Robert. ” I had my son every second week, so I had to be close to home. That put my music career on hold.”

If a career must be on hold, then raising a son is a great excuse. Robert’s fans may have suffered yet his son did not. So much so – the now fifteen year old has given Robert permission to hit the road once more.

“I did about eight gigs last year and I will be doing another seven or so this fall and winter.” Says Robert. ” The gigs are all in Ontario. I am known there as I grew up in Peterborough.”

Music has a way of making it’s way into people’s psyche and remaining there. A fact Robert recently discovered on one of his trips back home. A song which was written years ago; Roadadendron, was being sung during a show. Suddenly, everyone started singing along – a fact which left Atyeo both perplexed and proud.

‘I performed that song eight years before and the fact people recognized it absolutely blew me away! I don’t know if someone recorded me or what but that song, until now – was never released on disc.”

The song in question is the second tune on Robert’s new disc, an album which places the heart to rest.

A lot of the credit goes to David Woodhead according to Atyeo. “I sent a few of the tracks to David’s studio in Toronto and he brought everything to a different level. I was amazed at the production value that took place along with the musicianship David brought to ‘I have a pencil’.

Woodhead added guitars, banjo, dulcimer,accordion, magic wand, lap steel, bass and dobro to the record. It was a pleasure for Atyeo to work with Canada’s number one session man in the folk circles and according to David’s wife; Nancy – it was a pleasure for the normally quiet David to work on Atyeo’s cd …

“I was speaking to her and she told me that David was very excited about the songs. She said he seldom gets that way unless he really believes in something. He is a man of few words normally. For me – I am in awe of what he does and what he did for my cd …!”

Woodhead runs a studio in Toronto named David’s Woodshed and has played all over the world – in almost every folk festival. It was at one of these festivals where Robert met David. Robert also met many famous and new, not-so-famous performers over the years.

Atyeo has met and / or played with fellows such as David Lindley, Jackson Browne and Taj Mahal. Most times however, it is the new guys who Robert enjoys speaking to the most.

“They are filled with ideas and usually have new ways of playing.” Says Robert. ” They have something to teach. They are looking around saying wow!”

One occasion where Robert said ‘wow’ himself, was when he walked into a bar he was going to play the following night.

“Here’s this blind kid with a guitar on his lap and he was just really good. I thought- geez why is this guy not famous right now?” That ‘blind kid’ turned out to be Jeff Healey and according to Robert, the late guitarist was as nice as you could get.
“He was one of us ( musician ), he did not like people making a fuss over him. He was super nice but he could get really angry if you got in his way.”

Atyeo was one of those ‘wow’ guys in the not-so-distant past. He more or less started with a group which called themselves; The Friendly Giants.

That group consisted primarily of Robert, Willie P. Bennett and Tony Corrington. Two guys who played on Robert’s first two discs; ‘Songs for a Face’ and ‘Angels on a cliff’.

The group – whose name derived from Bennet and Corrington as ‘giants’ in country music being ‘friendly’ to newcomer Atyeo – stayed together for three years.

Bennet, who passed away in 2008, was the biggest influence on Roger. He taught him how to deal with record companies, produce quality discs and most important – how to act professional on stage.

“Bennet is one of the greatest songwriters to come out of Canada.” Says Atyeo. ” He taught me well and I owe a lot to him. My songwriting would be nothing without him.”

Following that part of his life, Robert moved to Quebec because of his wife. She was from St.Hubert and following the divorce, Robert discovered himself in Knowlton.

‘I’ve got a pencil’, Atyeo’ s new cd – demonstrates a man who, at middle age – is at peace with himself.

The first track; Beautiful Eyes – draws your chair close to Robert. Like a child listening to a story by a winter’s fire. It’s melodic beauty lies within Robert’s soul, a place where wisdom sleeps well. Sonja Ball adds backing vocal while Roger Sarazin’s slide guitar places the tune into heaven.

Roadadendron – the second song, is the catchiest tune on Robert’s fourth disc. It is no wonder it was the song people remembered and sang along to at a club in Ontario. Sara Biggs’ voice enhances the pleasure of Atyeo’ s voice and the song is imprisoned into your mind.

On all the songs on the cd, Roger’s voice and guitars take center stage. Lyrically – the words are almost sung through a little boy. All the songs are stories, told with innocence and purity. ‘Crows’, ‘Little Boy’s Smile’ and ‘What’s in your purse’ are just that.

Songs which make men reflect and women sigh. Atyeo is a pure songwriter. Utilizing his love affairs, his fatherness and life experiences to relay his wisdom on the world.

“Suddenly – happy seems so sad …”

‘Old tired spaceship’ is reminiscent of something that Jim Croce may have played. Or – Tom Waits. How about J.J Cale …?

Waits and Cale are huge influences on Atyeo and it shows on ‘Deacon’ and ‘The Missing’. The kind of music which has to be listened to if appreciation is required. Which it is. Like Cale especially – Atyeo’s songs are non – threatening.

Throughout the disc, which is part folk and part country – Bennet’s influence is felt. Willie Bennet is an inducted member of the Canadian Country Hall of Fame and he was a very funny fellow;

“I remember walking down the street with him and he flipped his palms in the air. He was attracting the Sun and he told me our hands are like solar panels.” Laughs Robert. ” The funny thing is … it is true! Try it! It works …”

‘Fencepost Mortem’ and ‘God’s Cadillac’ finish the album with great banjo pickin’ and foot- tappin’ rhythms. The former, garners a piece of Leonard Cohen while the car which our Lord Savior steers is appropriate. A religious explanation from Robert to conclude a religious musical experiment.

Use your computer to ‘drive’ to HummingbirdTunes.com and check out where Robert is playing, how to book him and to buy his cd.

Remember – no erasing …!

**Editors Note ( That’s me! ) Funny enough, Robert’s guitarist for a while was none other than Gary Hornbeck. Gary was the fellow I wrote about who fell off his balcony and was in a coma.