The Songs Which Are
All Set!, 2023
8/10
A project spearheaded by the Toronto artist Pete Johnston, as Stranger Still the multi-instrumentalist finds himself in a folk quartet that illuminates texts by the poet Alden Nowlan.
“Snapshot” gets the listen off to a melodic start, where Mim Adams’ pretty, lifting voice is met with Johnston’s warm acoustic guitar and “Five Days In Hospital” follows with poetic singing amid Rob Clutton’s strategic bass plucking that emits much beauty.
Further along, “The Bhikku” flows with a dreamy quality that showcases a soothing chamber demeanor, while “Sparrow Come In My Door” uses Johnston’s precise banjo plucking to help complement Adams’ very expressive pipes.
“Reunion” and “Nancy” exit the listen, where the former uses vocals from Randi Helmers and Andrew Killawee, and the latter finishes with stirring vocal harmonies in the absorbing and touching conclusion.
A listen that successfully recruits experimental, improvised and progressive ideas with a Celtic twist, this is folk music of a very atypical kind and it sure does leave an indelible impression.
Travels well with: Joseph Petric- Seen; Joseph Haydn- Heretic Threads