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Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The Canadian singer-songwriter Alan Doyle returns with more thoughtful and diverse songs, where the 9 tracks are wise, elegant and highly memorable.
The graceful “Yours And Mine” starts the record with Kendel Carson’s well timed fiddle and Kris MacFarlane’s fluid drumming complementing Doyle’s flowing voice, and the title track follows with a thicker presence of playful roots rock that has Billy Sutton handling tenor banjo and bodhran via the thumping delivery.
Some of the best tracks reside in the middle, where “Dancing Like We Did Last Night” balances both bare and full moments thanks to Cory Tetford’s skilled guitar and voice, while “Long Night” focuses much on Doyle’s warm pipes amid Shehab Illyas’ agile bass and Todd Lumley’s moody keys and accordion.
“Best I Never Had” and “All For A Song” exit the listen, where the former is a gentle, reflective display of rich song craft that uses Marcus Paquin’s percussion strategically, and “All For A Song” exits with keys guiding the vivid storytelling and dreamy climate.
Formerly of the folk-pop outfit Great Big Sea, this is Doyle’s 6th solo album, and it meshes folk, Celtic, roots, country and bluegrass nods into a charming listen that’s both festive and vulnerable.
Travels well with: Alan Doyle- Back To The Harbour; David Myles- So Far