There is a new
release, Hourglass, from Sonic Peach
Music that marks the fifth collection of songs from Torontonian Howard Gladstone. An emblematic album,
embracing the tradition of the troubadour and the philosophy of the searcher, Hourglass flows with flourishes of
insight and romantic imagery.
Songs dedicated to love, wandering and the constant
yearning homeward are set in a simple landscape of bass and guitar, with
occasional tints of drums and whatever instruments finger wiz Tony Quarrington can lay his hands on.
There
is a gentle hush and quaver to Howard`s voice that sometimes verges on
narration, reminiscent of the restraint of David Bromberg . But it soon becomes
evident that this is essentially a ``duets`` album, as the assured steadiness of
Laura Fernandez`s low-key chanting
continually pulls the flutter of Howard’s voice back from the situational precipice
of his lyrics.
``Got so high, and pushed back down, got skid marks on my back.`` - The Road Is Me
Laura Fernandez, Howard Gladstone and Tony Quarrington
The rolling ease of the instrumentalists keeps an even path for
Gladstone`s allusive episodes of travel and epiphany. Crystalline shine from
the melodic expertise of Mr. Quarrington
and bassist George Koller brightens
Seven Years To The Day and a choral rallying on closer Still Got So Long To Go
extends the arc of Howard`s voyage into the future.
The effervescent energy of the whole ensemble brings to life Mr. Gladstone`s affectionate memories and his calm reminders of the sands swirling through every moment and floating down to rest.
CD release Thursday October 5, Hunters Moon, at Hugh`s Room LIVE
No comments:
Post a Comment