Ranch Writers
True North, 2021
9/10
Barney Bentall and Geoffrey Kelly are both Gold-selling artists in their home country, and here they bring their strong backgrounds in folk, bluegrass and Celtic sounds to a dozen instrumental compositions that take help from a large handful of musicians, including Matt Kelly, Adrian Dolan and Kirby Barber, to name a few.
“Chilcotin” starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar and breezy melodies as Geoff Hicks provides light percussion amid the rich landscape, and “Marble Canyon Rag” follows with Kelly providing dreamy flute as Daniel Lapp’s soulful trumpet adds much to the carefully textured climate.
Entering the middle, “Big Turk” highlights the proficient drumming from Hicks, as Good Grdina’s oud and Annie Lindsay’s violin work together with much skill, while “Fred Neil”, one of the album’s best, builds a mesmerizing and stirring display of timeless, soothing song craft. “Sea To Sky” then brings John Raham behind the drum kit for the lush and dreamy execution.
Close to the end, “Winter Flood” welcomes Dustin Bengal on acoustic guitar and Dan Fremlin on mandolin to help flesh out the sublime, organic beauty, and “Earl’s Taxi” exits the listen with firm drumming and Trixie Berkel’s acoustic guitar and Kendel Carson’s fiddle that gives the finisher a more rural slant.
Self-described as ‘Cinematic Canadiana’, Bengal and Kelly know their way around a folk, roots, Americana, bluegrass and country influenced tune just about better than anyone, and these soulful, genuine and comforting pieces make it quite apparent just why they’re so revered with anyone willing to listen.
Travels well with: Murray McLauchlan- Hourglass; Various Artists- Party For Joey: A Sweet Relief Tribute To Joey Spampinato