Back To The Harbour
Warner, 2021
8/10
A Canadian star and former front man for Great Big Sea, the always impressive Alan Doyle returns with a 6 song effort where he celebrates his love for folk music with 3 originals and 3 covers.
“Back Home On The Island” leads the quick listen with Doyle’s distinct, smooth vocals guiding the graceful folk sounds, and “Into The Arms Of Home” follows with warm piano amid a dreamy climate of heartfelt, mature song craft.
The title track occupies the middle spot and brings precise fiddle and acoustic guitar work together with much cautious melody, while “Leave Here Johnny” is a shanty tune with Irish roots where Doyle’s interpretation is a rich and memorable execution of strategic and careful instrumentation.
Rounding out the EP is the gentle cover “Let It Be Me”, which displays moody fiddle that adds much to the timeless appeal, and the a cappella “Dream Of Home” exits the listen with so much beauty and talent in its minimal but impactful atmosphere.
Doyle is joined by Kendel Carson (fiddle, vocals), Cory Tetford (guitar, piano, accordion, vocals), Tom Doyle (vocals) and Joel Plaskett (guitar, mandola, charango, vocals), and though he’s recently had much success making country music, Back To The Harbour shows us just how diverse and accomplished Doyle continues to be.
Travels well with: David Myles- So Far; The Jerry Cans- Inuusiq/Life