| CD REVIEW (This review has also been published at www.701.com) |
| GATHER HONEY - PENNY LANG |
| Penny Lang: Gather Honey The Borealis Recording Company Reviewed by Diane Wells This 18-track collection of unreleased and CBC archival recordings from 1963 to 1978 of guitarist/songwriter Penny Lang, dubbed the "first lady of Canadian folk (music)", is definitely worthy of being included in the recent resurgent popularity of this music genre. Having deferred a promising career as a musician, which included workshops with Muddy Waters, Junior Wells and Son House, to name a few, in order to devote herself to the rigours of motherhood, "Silverwolf" (a nickname bestowed on her by the Montreal media) returned to her public life in 1988. Since then, she has released six internationally well-received CDs, the last in 1999, entitled "Somebody Else". With a voice reminiscent of the late Peggy Cass (of the Mamas and the Papas), Ms. Lang's debut rendition of the traditional 'In the Pines' (popularized by Long John Baldry and accredited to the legendary Lead Belly), as well as covers written by Bonnie Raitt ('Give It Up or Let It Go'), Janis Ian ('Bright Lights and Promises'), and Buffy Sainte-Marie ('Broke Down Girl') are sparkling examples of acoustic brilliance from a long-forgotten era in mainstream radio broadcasting. There are several outstanding compositions by Canadian and American songwriters, with the title track being composed by Tom Campbell. My favourites are 'Come Across to You', by Bruce Murdoch, 'Howl You Winds', by Chris Rawlings, 'No Place Left to Go', by Chris Kearney, and 'Three O'Clock Ride', by Ronney Abramson. The two original ballads by Ms. Lang, 'Senses of Your Leave' and 'Papa Don't', establish her own talent as a songwriter, the former citing a simple solution to "getting too speedy in the city", i.e. hit the road. This track, as well as 'Bright Lights and Promises' features "Dr. Kaz" Lawrence Silver on national steel guitar. The latter, written as a tribute to her musical family (and father in particular) and custom-tailored in this version as a nod to Hank Williams, pleads for a return "to the simple country songs we played around the kitchen table...when you were young and able." It was performed live on Entertainment Report in 1976 and recorded by CBC Radio Canada. The majority of tracks features regular bandmate Ken Pearson on piano (also with Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and occasionally substituted in Ms. Lang's band with Kate McGarigle), Roma Baran, Stephen Barry and Scot Lang alternating on various guitars, and Don Audet on harmonica. Ron Tallco switches easily from viola, violin, bass, recorder and back-up vocals. The CD also includes extensive biographical notes detailing Ms. Lang's musical background, as well as her personal battles with manic depression and alcohol, which most likely serves to demonstrate that adversity in one's life can, in fact, be overcome by sheer will, determination and a strong support system. I wonder if Ms. Lang regrets having declined the offer to record Leonard Cohen's hit, 'Suzanne', so many years ago. Going by the look of pure happiness and contentment in the current photograph on the inside of the CD, I doubt it. |
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