The Lost Tapes
Stony Plain, 2019
8/10
A duo whose heyday was in the ‘60s, Ian & Sylvia were paving new paths with their Americana and folk sounds, and their innovative ways saw the Canadians playing alongside Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.
Discovered earlier this year, Sylvia came across a box of old 1/4” analog tapes in her attic, which would become The Lost Tapes. Included are tunes not heard on any of their albums, the previously unreleased disc, as well as a disc of their classics, all recorded professionally in front of a live audience.
The classics disc reinforces everything about Ian & Sylvia that made them such luminaries, including the timeless folk sounds of “Little Beggarman”, the sugar sweet “Keep On The Sunny Side”, and the disc highlight, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, which nearly redefines country music.
The previously unreleased tunes are covers, and primarily hover around country sounds, including the partly a cappella “After The Fire Is Gone”, and highly emotive “Sweet Dreams”. Some of the deviations from country include the funk, soulful fun of “Starting All Over Again”, and the blues flavor of “Come On In My Kitchen”.
The last time Ian & Sylvia played together was 1975, but with this live double disc we’re brought back to their best days with excellent sound quality that really allows the timelessness of these songs to shine.
Travels well with: Gordon Lightfoot- Don Quixote; Bob Gibson- Yes I See