Various

Bernie Martin, according to the liner notes in posthumous tribute A Certain Man, was a friend to many Peterborough artists, but a reclusive performer. A great cast of talent, co-ordinated by Brian Sanderson and legendary soundman Ian Osborn, lines up here to interpret his songs: Joe Hall, Swamparella, Washboard Hank, Ken Ramsden and others. Grier Coppins (Taxi Chain, Rare Air) scooped the best composition, the heartbreaking “One Last Dance.” Walsh appears here several times, notably on the distorted gem “Birth of an Anarchist”; he also includes four Martin songs on Broken Chair. Both releases provide reason to raise a glass to local heroes; sometimes they’re all we have.