When one great recording artist devotes his talents to interpreting
the work of another, amazing things can happen. Cormier's
respectful but imaginative readings of 18 Lightfoot classics--and
one album-closing original by J.P himself--throws new light
on material that has become the soundtrack to many Canadian
lives. Whether it's Early Morning Rain, Bitter Green, For
Lovin' Me or Steel Rail Blues, these are songs are etched
into our collective sub-consciousness. A selection such
as the epic three-part Canadian Railroad Trilogy goes even
further, providing a nationalist context by bringing forward
just some of the elements that have help bind this country
together. Without Gordon Lightfoot, it's possible that the
Canadian pop and folk music scene might still be searching
for its own identity.
What J.P. does with this sturdy material is deliver it in
his own, highly original pop-bluegrass format. Cormier's
unique sound blends the compact emotions and exacting execution
of that high-lonesome sound of bluegrass with a broader,
more open sensibility fashioned from the ancient traditions
of Cape Breton Acadian and Celtic music.
Consequently, Lightfoot's sometimes sleepy mainstream-folk
style gets re-energized by J.P. Cormier's electrifying and
fluid approach to postmodern roots music. And with the Cape
Breton musician responsible for practically ever single
sound on the whole album, The Long River retains a direct
and personal sensibility that truly sees one artist paying
real and heartfelt tribute to another. >> more
