Rankin Inlet (Oct 27/04) - Ted Schinbein left Rankin Inlet about 30 years ago with a rough road waiting ahead of him.

While he departed the Kivalliq with a head full of songs and stories he hoped would someday comprise an album about Rankin, Schinbein also left with an alcohol habit that needed serious attending to.

Former Rankin Inlet resident Ted Schinbein has just released his long-awaited album, Rememberin' Rankin. - photo courtesy of Ted Schinbein

It took the Mitchell, Ont., native 15 years to get sober and another 15 to complete the CD.

"While I was proof listening to the master CD one last time at 3 a.m., I was suddenly overwhelmed, almost frightened, by the thought of the CD finally being done," says Schinbein.

"I'd made all the desired changes, or had decided to leave well-enough alone and was prepared to go with those choices."

Catchy album

But, as fate would have it, the words started flowing in Schinbein's head one more time.

He grabbed his guitar and wrote them down as the music connected to the words.

"The sun was coming up around 7 a.m. when I penned the final words and knew my CD was finally done.

The last song was Rememberin' Rankin, which he also used as the title for the CD.

"The songs I chose feel good. They're from my heart. Some are tongue in cheek and a few serious.

"But mostly they're catchy tunes and lyrics with my old Martin flat-top guitar and gravelly voice.

"The CD cover picture of Samgusak, Tikeayak and I was taken by Alikasuak while we were out fishing in 1972."

Schinbein doesn't offer any apologies for the style of music on the Rememberin' Rankin CD.

To him, they capture the essence of his time in the Kivalliq community -- songs of stories and dance that rekindle his love for a town he left so long ago.

The CD has been a labour of love for Schinbein. A musical effort that has undergone as many changes during the past three decades as the artist himself.

Couldn't be fonder

The finished work includes contributions from Brian Howe -- the original guitarist with the Fellowship band that toured Rankin, Arviat and Baker Lake in 1970 -- and Glen Patterson -- fiddling sensation with the bluegrass group Whitewater.

"I couldn't be any fonder of any place that we've called home.

"I'm Rememberin' Rankin Inlet and all our friends of long ago."