Penny Lang

A cult legend of the Canadian folk scene, singer/songwriter Penny Lang earned a devoted fan following for her distinctive readings of folk, blues, country and gospel standards. A native of Montreal, Lang first emerged during the 1960s, honing her craft in prisons, hospitals, churches and summer camps; in the years to follow, she also performed at major folk festivals, and relentlessly toured clubs across North America. Eventually Warner Bros. expressed interest in offering her a contract, but upon learning she would be expected to record with an electric backing band, the staunchly acoustic Lang refused the offer; by the mid-1970s — burned out by the music business and battling alcoholism — she went into self-imposed exile, relocating to a rustic cabin in the remote wilderness region of Quebec. Lang did not resurface until 1988, at which time she returned to performing and began writing new songs; in 1991 she self-released her cassette-only comeback effort Yes!!, followed in 1992 by Live. Ain't Life Sweet appeared a year later, and in 1996 she returned with Carry On Children.