Hunter, Hunter

Personnel: Andrew Dale (vocals, banjo, bouzouki, piano); Kathleen Allan, Geraldine Hollett, Phil Churchill (vocals); Sandy Morris (dobro); Mikaela Etchegary (French horn); Stephen Ivany (trombone); George Morgan (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Laurence Currie.
Recording information: St. John's, NL.
Amelia Curran, from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, plays acoustic guitar and sings in a deep, dusky voice about personal or societal issues she has apparently lived through. There's nothing about her music remotely connected with fantasy, whimsy, or hard-edged toughness, but instead a curiosity as to the whys and wherefores of life. These original compositions in many regards go beyond folk music into blues from the perspective of one who has endured many foibles and tribulations. Yet there's hope and light at the end of the tunnel when you hear out Curran in her completed statements. From the cautionary tale "Tiny Glass Houses" with a repetitive melody and vocal harmonies, to a quaint song about "The Mistress" and the twangy "Hands on a Grain of Sand," Curran runs the gamut of tales from the seedy to the needy side. There's a timeless quality about these lyrics and the music, as they could relate to any time through the ages, while musical help from co-producer Andrew Dale (banjo, bouzouki, accordion, and vocals), Sandy Morris (Dobro), and a variety of singer friends keeps the music within traditional foundations even though the participants are contemporary. This recording won a well-deserved Juno Award for Best Roots and Traditional Album of 2009, and is recommended for people who enjoy folk music just a bit outside the box. ~ Michael G. Nastos