New Canadian Music, Canada
Lynn Jackson is a prolific folk-rooted singer/songwriter of immense talent. As the album title suggests, the mood of her new (eighth) record Songs Of Rain, Snow & Remembering is oft melancholy or wistful, making a fall release very apt.
The only non-original song here, “Rake” is by Townes Van Zandt, a master of poetic sadness. It’s interesting to note that this lovely album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Norman Blake, a member of much-loved Scottish band Teenage Fanclub (Blake now lives in Kitchener). He does a masterful job of balancing the different musical components here. The diverse instrumentation includes cello, harmonium and djembe alongside guitars and keyboards on the drums-free record, resulting in something of a chamber folk feel.
Blake also co-produced Jackson’s last album, The Acoustic Sessions, and she explains “He and I agree on the approach of getting a few takes to capture the spirit of the song and not overworking things.”
Jackson plays Southern Ontario dates until the end of the year, and will tour Western Canada in the spring. Check her site for details.