Like any great sports team, when the chips are down the team and players come through with a gut level check win.
Musically speaking Blue Rodeo has really come through with In Our Nature.
There is a natural communal vibe and clarity that comes off of the new Blue Rodeo album In Our Nature. The more I listen to the recording I kind of refer to it as “Music From Big Farmhouse”
With a nod to Music From Big Pink but coming from Ontario and Greg Keelor’s farm (Lost Cause recording studio) instead of Woodstock N.Y In Our Nature shows off a cohesive seven piece band that sounds for lack of a better term “natural”
The other huge effect on this album is the return of songwriter founding member Greg Keelor to full prominence.
It’s not like Keelor has been off to Mars with his long suffering Tinnutis (ringing in the ears) but his songwriting and singing on tracks such as Tara’s Blues (possibly the album’s standout track), Wondering, the title track, Never Too Late and Mattawa seem to lift the band and this album to another level.
The inclusion of new band members Colin Cripps on guitar and vocal harmony and Michael Boguski piano and organ has upped the ante on the overall band dynamics.
The lock of the whole band with stick man Glenn Milchem, bassist Bazil Donovan and the ultra cool multi-instrumentalist Bob Egan is especially noticeable if you have witnessed the live in studio shows on Canadian TV.
Co-leader Jim Cuddy coming off the gorgeous solo album Skyscraper Soul relied on his gut instinct as a great songwriter to come up with new stellar songs such as When The Truth Comes Out (great solo and fills from Cripps) the lead off single New Morning Sun, his own piano ballad Made Your Mind Up and the absolute stunning You Should Know.
The recording and mixing by James McKenty on In Our Nature whether it’s on the headphones or room mix really breathes and that deserves kudos.
Also included on the cd is a very faithful cover of Robbie Roberston’s Out Of The Blue.
Blue Rodeo is no doubt an inspiration to fans and other artists, especially in Canada.
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that In Our Nature is one of the best albums of their career.
This cd will make my top ten list of best albums of 2013
John Emms is a veteran music journalist, online radio host, http://emms.podbean.com/ and singer-songwriter with Canada’s blues/roots rockers THE SHAFTMEN https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/the-worlds-gone-crazy/id673101570
I am a huge fan of Blue rodeo, I am a musician and quite proud to had the pleasure of meeting Jum Cuddyin Truro NS very down to earth spoke with me like knew me all his life ,purchased your latest CD and it’s great keep up the great work and the best thing you come from canada A
Thank you Bud..Jim is a great guy..known him for many years..enjoy our latest cd.or any of the links I posted…keep rockin..j.e.