Welcome to the Christmas season. Now that the euphoria of the municipal victories has somewhat waned and we await the dawning of a new era in Guelph, it is time to get on to other things.

Lewis Melville’s latest music project: “Afghanistan On Guard for Thee?”

In the spirit of thinking Globally and Acting Locally, local musician and producer Lewis Melville, in cooperation with Dave Clark and many others, has again put together a timely music project.

“Afghanistan On Guard for Thee?” melds music, politics and intelligent thought for those concerned about Canada’s role in a country half a world away.

Lewis has brought together the best of the best in Canadian independent music. Former Rheostatic Dave Clark, Tannis Slimmon, James Gordon, the kramdens, the great Ken Whitely have all contributed to this project. In total, 51 songs by as many artists are featured in this 3 CD set.

Why not consider this as an ethically appropriate Christmas gift for yourself or for someone else?

Proceeds from the sale will go to:

Doctors Without Borders/Medicin Sans Frontier (www.msf.org )

The International Red Cross (http:www.icrc.org)

Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (www.farmradio.org ).

For $25.00 this 3 CD set can be purchased:

from me by

emailing to phil@philallt.ca (and if you live in Guelph or nearby, I will personally deliver it to you)

or from a great music shop in beautiful downtown Guelph Ground Floor Music (www.groundfloormusic.ca ). Give this shop a visit. If the music you want is not in stock, Charles will order it for you. He ordered me a great Jerry Lee Lewis CD Last Man Standing and introduced me to the baseball and musical magic of Chuck Brodsky The Baseball Ballads.

Watch for other locations where this CD can be purchased in Guelph and elsewhere.

Alternatively this cd can also be purchased on line from www.Zunior.com – Canada’s alternative fair trade music downloading site or go to this site

http://www.standonguardproject.com for further information.

Hope your holiday is starting safely and wonderfully.

This is a call to join Lewis Melville by helping to sponsor the creation and production of a 2 CD collection of creative statements that reflect upon Canada’s international reputation and its current role in Afghanistan. As many of you already know, Lewis is a nationally prominent musician and producer with such credits to his name as working with the Barenaked Ladies, The Cowboy Junkies and other acclaimed recording artists. Lewis believes passionately in the projects he works upon whether these are with local efforts or with international artists in remote regions of Africa, South and Central America.

So what is this all about? I know that there is a great deal to read below. However, we want to give you a comprehensive look at this proposal and hope you will thereby pledge to support it. So please, keep reading . . .

Title: Afghanistan…On Guard for Thee?

Rationale: The recent shift in the nature of Canada’s military activity in the world is a cause for concern. We are sure that many of you agree.

Why is this happening? Is this the best way for us to deal with the problems in Afghanistan and elsewhere–especially when the military actions are beginning to imperil Canada’s ability to deliver meaningful foreign aid?

Why this project? Artists are free to give voice to ideas and feelings that many others are unable to express, either for political reasons, or because they do not know how. Yet, artists are not often in a position to self finance these efforts. You have
been asked to participate because we believe your financial support can help to spread this important message to other Canadians.

We would be honoured if you would like to contribute to this project of relevant songs, works of visual art, drama, dance, poetry, essays, and literature for “Afghanistan … On Guard for Thee?” You can do so by donating a 100-dollar share in the production costs.

What do you get for your 100 dollars? There will be no financial return. Any profit accrued from this project will be donated to non-partisan, benevolent organisations such as Doctors Without Borders/Médecins San Frontières. However, you are assured that you will receive a copy of the finished work – a 2 CD set which highlights the musical offerings so far contributed. Your name will also be among those on the production credits. Finally, you will also know that you were part of making something happen that will have a positive impact on the future – a demonstration that open and honest dialogue is still alive and well in Canada.

This project is 100% volunteer driven and non profit. If you know others who might be interested in helping to sponsor this effort, please pass this information along.

Sincerely,

Phil Allt
(519) 824-6790
phil@philallt.ca

Lewis Melville
(519) 824-8848
lmelvill@uoguelph.ca

Details:

We will work to attract interest from the media, especially the CBC about this new project. Lew is currently working on this with his many connections at the Corporaton.

Within a few days of announcing the project there were dozens of commitments from renowned local, regional, national, and international artists to offer their talents to this project. These include:

* James Gordon
* Josh Finlayson (Skydiggers)
* Dave Clark (Rheostatics, Gord Downie Band)
* Michael Johnston
* Tannis Slimmon
* NDP MP, Charlie Angus (Timmins, James Bay) - formerly lead hand with The Grievous Angels is on board for this and will be writing and performing a work for this purpose - Thank You Charlie!

Members of Parliament will be informed of the project, with the intention of promoting an open public debate on the issue.