The Tragically Hip Musical Releases Original Cast Recording
The recording features guest vocals from Owen Riegling, Allison Russell, Elysia Biro, and Braden Lam.
The original cast recording of It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken, the musical built around songs by The Tragically Hip, is out now. Its release coincides with the production’s Kingston run, which opened October 22 at the Kingston Grand Theatre.
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The 16-song album pairs the show’s cast vocalists with guest singers including country artist Owen Riegling, who performs “Boots Or Hearts”; Allison Russell, heard on “Wheat Kings”; and Elysia Biro and Braden Lam, who join on “Long Time Running.” Riegling said recording the Hip song was a dream come true for him as a fan.
Berlin, a saxophonist, keyboardist, and longtime member of Los Lobos, produced the recording. He previously worked on the Hip albums Phantom Power and Music @ Work. Bob Foster led the music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations, while Robert Orton mixed the album.
Recording sessions took place at The Bathouse, the band’s studio outside Kingston on the shore of Lake Ontario, and at 80A Studios in Toronto. During sessions at The Bathouse, Hip members Rob Baker, Paul Langlois, and Gord Sinclair played on several tracks.
The musical’s story is set in 2002 and follows Waleed, an exiled journalist starting over in Canada, who falls for Kate, the owner of a local music store. Their relationship leads them to reckon with duty, uncertainty, and where they belong. After a sold-out Hamilton run at Theatre Aquarius, the Kingston engagement continues through November 8. The production is scheduled to play Montreal’s Segal Centre from May 9 to 30, 2027.
