Constellations
True North, 2023
8/10
The Toronto singer-songwriter Meredith Moon brings us a very forthright and honest 10 tracks, where her neo-folk and Appalachian influences are present and appreciated.
“Star Crossed” starts the listen with Moon’s inimitable voice in the dreamy, gentle climate that benefits much from Tony Allen’s atmospheric fiddle, and “I Loved That Town” follows with Alex Merchand’s double bass alongside Moon’s powerful pipes and Will Fisher’s agile drumming.
In the middle, “Lay Your Cards Down” finds a very intimate place to reside that’s poetic, while “Lighthouse Country” features Rachel Melas on double bass for the sublime beauty and eloquent demeanor of the album’s best.
Near to the end, Moon’s lively banjo is front and center on the playful “Needlecase/Blue Goose”, and “Slow Moving Train” exits the listen with the fiddle, double bass and stirring singing meeting at a very thoughtful and honest intersection.
Moon is the daughter of the legend Gordon Lightfoot. She purposely omitted that information when she began he career, and made her presence known without any name association. A multi-instrumentalist who plays banjo, guitar, glockenspiel and podorythmie here, this sophomore album proves that she’s an excellent songwriter, singer and musician in her own right.
Travels well with: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leah- Canvas; Lynn Miles- TumbleTweedyWorld