The third solo release from this Hamilton Ontario-based singer songwriter is a solid collection of ten tunes which follow in the rugged bluesy country tradition of outlaw artists like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.
The record is significantly enhanced by a cameo appearance of The Band's Garth Hudson who play keys on a couple of tracks (Who Found Who and Take That Water). He is most prominent on the second of these, a ten minute track, which also features his wife 'Sister' Maud on vocals.
The voice of JB Reed is another welcome addition not least because she provides a warm contrast to Rutter's rootsy growl. A special mention must also go to Steve 'Honeyboy' Wood for his excellent work on pedal steel guitar.
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Fifty something Rutter says this record is more "format friendly" in that has a better flow than his previous records. It is also described as "more aggressive and sonically experimental".
The 'experimental' part of the equation strikes me as a bit of a shoe-in as these are fairly conventional tunes that don't depart much from a tried and tested formula. It's not the originality but the honesty and maturity of the songs that make them worth hearing.
Duane Rutter's website
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