That We Could Find A Way To Be
Great Bear, 2019
8/10
Listen to That We Could Find A Way To Be
This first album from upstate New York’s Andrew VanNorstrand finds the producer, musician and songwriter in great company as he addresses love, faith and loss with both elegance and playfulness.
“What Am I Supposed To Say” starts the listen with warm, fluid instrumentation as VanNorstrand’s smooth vocals guide the Americana tune, and “Lesson Learned” follows with a fuller spirit of expressive and eloquent folk-rock prowess.
In the middle, “The Coming Spring” recruits a banjo and pretty vocals from Kailyn Wright on the soft and agile rural ballad, while “The Waterthrush/Original Reel” offers fiddle acrobatics that also dive into jazz/prog like territory on the multifaceted instrumental. “(Two Years) Looking For A Home”, the album’s strongest track, then unfolds with timeless musicianship as VanNorstrand’s emotive pipes complement the acoustic guitar fueled gem.
Deeper into the listen, “Tell Me What You Want To Do Now” finds a soulful place to reside amid gentle instrumentation, and “The Lucky Reel/Sail The Other Side” exits the listen vocal-less with clarinet from Anna Patton adding much to the versatile landscape.
VanNorstrand cut his teeth touring and recording with Great Bear for nearly 20 years, but here he proves he’s a very capable solo artist as he takes on political/social commentary, as well as queer issues with his charming and moving brand of folk sounds where country, Americana and roots rock are certainly part of the formula, too.
Travels well with: The John Byrne Band- A Shiver In The Sky; Mike Stapleton- The Long Haul