Unseen Hands
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The is the 35th album by the multi-faceted, award winning artist Ken Whiteley, and it involves his 12 string guitar surrounding themes of the soil, sky and stars and where we all fit in it.
The warm strumming of “Hole In The Clouds” opens with Whiteley’s expressive voice guiding the harmonic climate, and it isn’t long until the poetic mood of “April In Paris” tugs on the heartstrings via the emotive accordion playing of Tom Szczesniak.
Landing in the middle, the scrappy drumming and meticulous guitar of “Fast Freight Train” offers a playful moment that also uses spirited harmonica courtesy of Roly Platt, while “Cosmic Course”, the best track, recruits Sundar Vishwanathan’s sax, Gord Mowatt’s string bass and Bucky Berger’s drums for the intimate and melodic, folk fueled delivery.
Close to the end, “Just So” is full of emotion and spiritual qualities, where Ben Whiteley’s cozy bass won’t go unnoticed, and “So We Sing” exits with Berger’s agile drums, conga and tambourine adding much richness to the rhythmic finish.
Whiteley’s craft has made him plenty of admirers, including children, gospel fans, and lovers of intelligent folk music, though anyone in tune with love, nature, and life will appreciate these organic and inspiring tunes.
Travels well with: John Dawson- Outlier; Evan Rotella- Last Train Home