About the Music

The Borderlands is a uniquely written and structured collection of songs. Finlay's strong and confident vocal performance is accompanied by a gathering of some of Toronto's finest musicians.

Bob MacLean, Beach Metro News, November 2, 1999.

A Phenomenal Musician! The best kept secret in Toronto.

Zubin Hooshangi - Producer, Toronto Online Film Festival

I find it to be a source of love. The music is warm and embracing, relaxing when I want that soft feeling. . .

Kaarina Blackie - School Teacher

Ruth's voice is very pure and clean. It's real singing that cuts right through to the melody without being bogged down by superfluous stylings. The songs are very positive and have a gentle spirit to them. . . . . very soft. . . .

John Palubski - Musician

. . . music from the heart. At some time in your life you'll be able to relate to every song.

Brad Alexander - Musician

. . . . stops us from feeling alone. . . . . . . .

Nancy Manning - CEO, Canadian Bureau for the Advancement of Music

The strength of this music rests on Ruth's singing. Using a folk/pop style, she tells her story of the pathway of love from longing to realization and from transition to transformation.

Ruth's singing is clear and sweet, unique and very warm.

The background instruments are acoustic--several kinds of guitars played by Ruth and Classical guitarist Ray Hickey Jr. Steve Lucas plays a number of different basses with flowing originality. Larry Crowe uses a combination of drum kit and hand drums along with percussion. Ron Korb adds an exotic flavour with his Chinese and silver flutes. John Hughes plays keyboard on one track and Daniel Domb of the Toronto Symphony plays his magnificent cello. Buzz Upshaw cries his raw rock & blues guitar to the last track 'Angel'.

The overall effect is very gentle, even in the upbeat 'Latin" rhythms of the songs 'Deep Calls to Deep' and 'Run Away'.

The songs are arranged in 4 trilogies divided by 2 songs of transition.

Trilogy of Longing and Desire

1. Carry Me Away

2. Borderlands

3. Talking Again

Trilogy of Sorrow

1. Tears

2. Maybe Some Other Place

3. Mysterious Man

Two Songs of Transition

1. Deep Calls to Deep