💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Sherri Harding - Storyland

Soul singer Sherri Harding released her newest album, Storyland, on June 5, 2026, through Instant Replay Music. Following up on her previous record, A Million Pieces, this release marks a continuation of her career, offering a collection of blues-rooted and soul-influenced songs.

The album is built around a distinct cross-border collaboration orchestrated by songwriter and producer Dick Cooper. While the foundational tracks were recorded in Ottawa, the project intentionally loops in veteran Southern musicians. Legendary guitarist Kelvin Holly traveled north for the sessions, the Muscle Shoals Horns tracked their parts in Alabama, and engineer Jimmy Nutt handled the final mixing in Muscle Shoals. Harding's performance on the record relies heavily on her decades of experience singing in small clubs, Northern Canadian juke joints, and military entertainment tours, resulting in a mature project that focuses on adult themes, love, and resilience without chasing modern radio trends.

 

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Available in CD and Digital Formats.

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The Deep Dive

Opening with All Around The World, Sherri Harding sets a really poppy, energetic tone right out of the gate. It has classic soul-rock energy with punchy horns by Charles Rose on trombone, Steve Herrman on trumpet, Jimmy Bowland on bari sax and Brad Guin on tenor sax and bottom by Jamie Holmes (drums) and Brian Cooper (bass) and features a solid guitar solo by Kevin Holly. Money Man, has a real 60's pop soul feel. The Muscle Shoals Horns continue the full horn support and backing vocals by Cooper, Jeff Rogers, Dee Dee Butters, Mackenzie Di Millo, Roxy Swan, Robert Farrell and Robert Farrell keep it real.  

Rainy Day, is an up tempo shuffle still holding to that pop soul feel. Clayton Connell's keyboard work adds nicely to the feel and blues rock guitar riffs by Holly add a bit of grit to the mix. Bad Weather has a moody feel with Harding's vocals floating on a cloud of keys by Connell.  Moody guitar sounds by Robert Farrell, moody violin work by Anne Lindsay and solid backing vocals by Butters, Harding, Swan make this my favorite track on the release. Quiet ballad, Tell Me You're Mine, leans heavily into classic radio pop. A solid melody, Rafferty like sax work by Brad McGuin and strings by Lindsay, Nancy Kershaw (Violin) and Claudio Veno (viola) and Amahl Aruanadam (cello) adds to the warmth of the track.  Wrapping the release is title track, Storyland with classic 70's rock dynamics. This is a nicely recorded release with music that's easy to digest. 

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand

• Album Title: Storyland
• Artist: Sherri Harding
• Record Label: Instant Replay Music
• Release Date: June 5, 2026
• Producer: Dick Cooper
• Recording Engineer: Dick Cooper (Ottawa Sessions) / Muscle Shoals Horns Engineers (Alabama Sessions)
• Mixing & Mastering: Jimmy Nutt
• Recording Location: Ottawa, Canada and Muscle Shoals, Alabama
• Artwork & Layout: Instant Replay Music

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand

Personnel: Sherri Harding (Lead Vocals/Flute), Kelvin Holly (Guitars/Dobro), Dick Cooper (Songwriter/Producer), Robert Farrell & Darwin Demers (Guitars/Backing Vocals), Brian Cooper (Bass/Backing Vocals), Jamie Holmes & Rob Holtz (Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals), Jeff Rogers & Clayton Connell (Keyboards/Organ/Backing Vocals), Anne Lindsay (Violin/String Arrangements), The Muscle Shoals Horns: Charles Rose (Trombone), Steve Herrman (Trumpet), Jimmy Bowland (Baritone Sax), Brad Guin (Tenor Sax), with DeeDee Butters, Mackenzie Di Millo, & Roxy Swan (Backing Vocals).

1. All Around The World
2. Down In The Shoals
3. Money Man
4. Through It All
5. Rainy Day
6. Dark-Eyed Junco
7. Bad Weather
8. What's The Matter (With My Heart)
9. Tell Me You're Mine
10. Don't Push (On An Open Door)
11. Storyland

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Collapse

Album Title (Click to View Store)	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Storyland	Instant Replay Music	Sherri Harding	2026
A Million Pieces	Self-Released / Independent	Sherri Harding	2023

 

     Watch: Money Man by Sherri Harding

This album delivers a diverse collection of well-produced, accessible tracks that lean heavily into retro pop, rock, and soul arrangements. The material ranges from energetic, brass-driven openers and upbeat '60s-style shuffles to atmospheric, keyboard-led soundscapes and gentle, radio-ready pop ballads. A rotating cast of musicians anchors the instrumentation, utilizing punchy horn arrangements, gritty guitar solos, steady rhythms, and warm string sections to shape each song's individual mood. Anchored by expressive lead vocals and rich backing harmonies, the project eventually closes on a dynamic nod to classic '80s rock.

Bman's Verdict Storyland offers an accessible, well-produced blend of retro soul, pop, and classic rock, driven by versatile vocals and a rich network of collaborative musicians.

Label: Instant Replay Music Released: June 5, 2026