Chris
Angel - The Hero Of Canton (Independent)
Chris Angel paid his dues playing assorted bars and
pubs, solo, in duos and in bands. Sensibly he simultaneously got a degree
in music performance at the University of Windsor, in his home state of
Ontario. Though rooted in Celtic and Irish music, he’s unafraid to mix things
up some, and on his third long player “The Hero Of Canton” we’re made privy to
a host of folk influences, from contemporary English singer-songwriters to the
New York tradition.
It all comes together very well. Angel is a fine
musician and singer, and delights in telling a tale. He kicks off the
collection with a cover, a stripped back version of Billy Joel’s “Downeaster Alexa”, which he
follows with “These
Deep Lines”, a song with depths I’m unable to fathom, but it
keeps me hooked to the very end. “In the Water I Am Nameless” possesses an intriguing
title and the mystery seeps into the song, complete with Peter Gabriel-esque
backing and more than enough ambiguity to keep us all guessing. Bolstered with
a scattering of traditional material, “Mingulay Boat Song” and “The Parting Glass”, “The Hero Of Canton” may not be
Angel’s definitive statement, but it’s a major step on his journey.
Rob F.
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