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WELCOME“Cluck old Hen” is the first vocal album from Joel Fafard in this decade. The previous three have been solidly instrumental—stunningly good instrumental—with a richness of original tunes or traditional material re-imagined. But like many performers, what’s on his CD isn’t necessarily all that happens in the concerts; and Joel Fafard was singing these songs live and—his words: “Everybody was asking which albums they were on and I got tired of saying ‘none of them’”. So here’s a somewhat different program and it’s a great one: solid playing (nobody’s surprised at that; he remains one of our most powerful, rhythmic purveyor of country blues/roots, original and traditional) with his trademarked string trio: Fafard, guitar, Richard Moody, violin/viola and Gilles Fournier bass. Moody’s bow adds an often-haunting layer of nicely spooky, mysterious underpinning; Fournier is the sort of bassist that’s rare today: understated, solid, content to remain in the back and propel the trio forward with rock-solid rhythms. There are moments when they play with such cohesion and intimacy it sounds like a single instrument. Few players in acoustic music today know how to really listen to each other as well as these guys. Front and center is the Fafard guitar, lean, lanky, alternately pounding and heartbreaking; not a superfluous phrase or lick, never a note out of place. It’s a delightful disc of good old tunes (only one track here was unfamiliar to me) and it’s impossible to pick highlights but Angeline the Baker has always been a personal fave and he does it true, tight and to a “t”. A new album from someone who’s previous work has been a favourite is always approached with a little trepidation. No fear here—Fafard is in fine form, at the top of his game, his guitar howling in the wind and pounding frown the dirt roads where the blues live. In a long string of great recordings, it continues a tradition of greatness. Buy two; you’ll want to give one to someone you like. Jurgen Gothe (former host of CBC radio two's Disc Drive) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Fafard has
begun to set himself apart from the legions of folksy Prairie
singer-songwriters with the sort of instrumental prowess you'd
expect from a fingerstyle deity. His style isn't overly busy,
but there are moments of genius." "the hint of
backwoods cajun vibe hovers around the edges of these songs.
This magic and earthiness appears to be born out the group's
unique personalities and shimmering swooping waves of sound.
A sympathetic energy truly bigger than the sum of it's parts." "Go out and find
this CD if you want some great fingerstyle guitar playing. Joël
Fafard is a talented guitarist by any measure, and "Rocking
Horse" is a fine recording to let those of us outside of
Canada know it. "As far as I'm
concerned, the votes are in and the winner of the JUNO for Best
Roots and Traditional - Solo Album is Joel Fafard for "RockingHorse". "Holy S##t! "discover the pure
roots and character of Joël
Fafard, which have beyond any doubt a remarkable and rousing signature." " I never knew
acoustic instrumental music could be such a swinging affair.
Never boring, very well played up-lifting toe-tapping music.
Really surprisingly good... excellent CD. (Rocking Horse)." "many of the
(WCMA's Gala) performances were excellent especially the inspired
pairing of Regina acoustic guitarist Joel Fafard and the Calgary
Philharmic Orchestra." "Very musical and
highly enjoyable... A great addition to anyones collection". "Beautiful sound...(Fafard's)
music surprised me" (Rocking Horse) highlights
(Fafard's) expressive picking style and impressive command of
slide Guitar." "If there was an
award for best song of the evening it should go to Joël
Fafard for the Last Waltz of John Kordic." "(Rocking Horse)
a decadent blend of blues, jazz, Celtic and classical elements,
there is also an undenialbe simplicity in its atmospheric tunes" "This is nice
and simple music with integrity and inspiration." |
| Copyright © 2010 Joël Fafard. All rights reserved. | |
