Savoy The Songs
Cape Breton Calling tells the story of so many of the East Coast's native sons and daughters forced to live and work elsewhere across the country and the burning desire to finally come home. Essentially, the song is a musical road trip of the drive home and the feelings inspired by finally seeing the lights of home on the horizon.
With an up tempo and memorable melody, Quarry Road describes growing up tough in Cape Breton. It captures the essential strength and pride of the people; "We were never more than poor and it stayed that way for years, but Cape Bretoners' bite their lip and ball their fists and show no fear". The song also talks about the essential links to home for those living elsewhere with lines like "But my heart's still in Cape Breton, no matter where I am, I'm the same in any settin' cause the island made the man".
The hauntingly beautiful Memories of Mothers tells the story of virtually every small town in the East Coast. The pictures of sons and daughters who've left home and the mothers who treasure long distance phone calls and the memories of the "love and laughter that still hangs in the air." The song has brought tears to the eyes and nods of recognition from Newfoundlanders, New Brunswickers, Cape Bretoners and Nova Scotians alike, all of whom have said "just change the name of the town and that's where I grew up."
The rest of the album is a rich mix of love songs such as the extraordinarily beautiful Long Distance Lovers'. Missing a lover back home, the lyrics run the gamut of London, Paris and Milan and according to the studio musicians who participated in the recording; it's a song they weren't able to get out of their heads. Given the caliber of these musicians who have had Steeley Dan record their songs and have toured with MTV, this is high praise indeed.
Want variety? Lovers' War tells the graphic story of emotional separation - please imagine the "War of the Roses" video - and catch the stellar guitar work by Gord Waszek. The album also includes traditional country music interspersed with a radical Reggae departure followed by rock n' roll and love songs that will pull at the heart strings.
All in all, this is an album that is well crafted and well worth a listen.