Dockside Saints
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
As one of the most revered modern acoustic pickers, Cary Morin returns with more of his genre defying song craft that recruits Cajun, Creole, Zydeco and plenty of other styles into the Native Americana prowess of Dockside Saints.
“Nobody Gotta Know” starts the listen with plenty of energy as blues ideas are complemented with frisky keys, soulful backing vocals and plenty of rhythm, and “Exception To The Rule” continues the varied approach with folk-rock qualities entering the warm, ballad-ish atmosphere.
Closer to the middle, “Tonight” displays intricate picking alongside a darker quality in a flowing, Americana climate that’s fiddle friendly, while “Jamie Rae” offers strategic accordion in the driving, rootsy rocker. “Valley Of The Chiefs”, one of the album’s best, then glides with a smooth, cautious tone and plenty of emotion about Morin’s Native American heritage.
Close to the end, “Blue Delta Home” shimmers with plenty of beauty amid expressive singing in the indeed blues environment, and “Come The Rain” exits the listen with a rugged and percussively strong execution of country influenced rock, where Morin holds down pedal steel and both acoustic and electric guitar.
An album that’s not lacking in grooves, rhythm and unpredictable songwriting, expect traces of blues, gospel, country, funk and jazz to grace these arrangements, and expect them to be delivered in a fashion you’ve never heard before and won’t forget anytime soon.
Travels well with: The Reverend Shawn Amos & The Brotherhood- Blue Sky; Ben Miller Band- Choke Cherry Tree