ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS
REVIEW CD – BLIND WILLIE’S LIGHTHOUSE
GENRE / STYLE – CHRISTIAN FOLK
ARTIST - DAN CLOUTIER
ARTIST - DAN CLOUTIER
COPYRIGHT 2011 BIRCH BEER RECORDS
 |
| © 2011 BIRCH BEER RECORDS |
Presentation can be done in different ways, too. Religious Songs, National Anthems, and Patriotic Songs are standards of music that should be respected and presented in a positive way. When performing publicly any form of music, especially standards, everyone should know their limitations. (Here are examples of the Good, the Bad, and the what were they thinking ?) Just because you think that you can sing well in the shower, doesn’t mean that you can sing at all. Just ask my poor dog, Boomer, who is now deaf.
Folk Music (from the term folk lore) is a unique genre of music. Its origin in music history spans generations of poor farmers and factory workers who could not read nor play instruments except the harmonica, for the most part. The writing and presentation of songs went from the older generations mouth into the younger generation’s ears from generation to generation. Many were the standards of their time.
The common thread of Folk Music, for the most part, is the story that is within the song. Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” is one example. Kris Kristofferson & Fred Foster's Original “Me and Bobby McGee” was covered by many. After being tweaked for the great Janis Joplin, it became a giant classic after her death. Just about anything Bob Dylan wrote is considered Folk, all though many folk fans still to this day debate Acoustic Dylan vs. Electric Dylan. My Great Uncle Jim (about 18 at that time) and Margaret (a friend of mine who just turned 18) are both Dylan fans. They have told me about the great Folk debate when Bob Dylan “plugged in.” This was during what became known as the second folk revival in the 1960’s. The crux of the debate’s question is this: Does Folk Music loose it’s purity and is it still Folk when an electric guitar or other electric instruments are used in a song ?
On Blind Willie’s Lighthouse, the latest CD by Dan Cloutier, that debate is nonexistent. Some songs are acoustic, others are plugged in, and still other songs have the Organ, Banjo, & Piano making guest appearances along with Dan's many friends. All instruments, including the vocals, are used when needed. This CD is a good measured mixture of Folk with some Light Christian Acoustic Rock, and at times a sprinkle of Bluegrass or a tiny drop of Honky Tonk. The feel of the music is closer to fellow New Englander original artist James Taylor, than it is to Peter Paul & Mary’s “Puff the magic Dragon."
The writing part (lyrics) is what is most interesting to me. It seems to be pulled from Dan Cloutier's personal experiences in life. He shares them with us and with GOD. From song to song the words flow with the music. The lyrics are a solid example of story telling and it hits the mark for both it’s writing and it’s vocal presentation. The story telling is in that North-Eastern part of the US shore lined area's style. Full of history rich tales from the land and from the sea. Blind Willie’s Lighthouse has a feel to the senses like the cold wintery slap to your face from a gust of wind from the shores of New England. The lyrics contain Christian elements for today’s listener and are descriptive with broad strokes, which allow the listener to filter the pixillated images onto the canvas of one’s own spirit, through one's own spiritual digestion. What you think you hear, may just be taken out of context. The Christian references are not of fire and brimstone, in your face, or judgmental. In fact you are invited to search inside one’s self to find the meaning.
Dan Cloutier will never be found singing in a serious opera setting, but neither will most folk artists including Bob Dylan, acoustic or electric. I sense that Dan Cloutier knows his limitations and that he is ok with that. He does stay within his vocal range and in touch with the backdrop of the music (If he has any animals, I assure you that they are not deaf, unlike my poor dog). Each song's singing has it's own cadence and slightly different style. No two songs sound the same.
A few songs that are highlights for me are :
“The Party” is one of my favorite tunes on the CD. The intro is a tad too long for me but there is a payoff after it. It’s not only plugged in but it has fx (effects). I enjoyed the lyrics “It’s gonna be loud and strong, the dead are gonna wake up and start to sing along…” “Get yourself out of jail, the invitation is in the mail…” true statement about HIS cause.
“Bangor 5:00 AM” is different. It is darker and has a haunting feel to it. Very simple chord structure and pace as a background to a story one could see in a Life Time movie. A movie that was based on a true story. "bible in my back seat and the gun still smoking." "Vow with a friend always be true. If ether of us were unfaithful, we knew what the other would do."
“The Climber” & “The Climber (Folk)” two different songs musically with the same lyrics. Both stand alone in the music with different vocal cadence, rhythms and music styles. Of course the Folk one is more "Folky."
Blind Willie’s Lighthouse is a clean album that is not over polished. The mix is a good blend of potpourri. It has that olde rustic New England sea shanty feel. Like an giant antique tea pot that keeps pouring warm tea over & over your soul until you are warmed up from the brisk New England sea air.
In conclusion; the new CD Blind Willie’s Lighthouse seems to have a representation for both acoustic & electric side of the great Folk music debate. Fans who root from both sides of the great debate will find something to like in this CD. I wonder if Bob Dylan would be proud. I am not sure if any of the songs will become giant classic standards, but at times the CD does have a giant classic feel to it.
I also wonder, since Dan Cloutier sings a lot about New England, whom he is rooting for in this weekend’s SUPERBOWL XLVI. If it is for the PATRIOTS, nobody should call him a traitor just because he recorded a GIANT Album.
-Alex
http://www.originalmusicreviews.blogspot.com/
Please leave a comment below,
at the bottom of this page, where it says "Post a Comment."
Blind Willie's Lighthouse © 2011 Birch Beer Records
Dan Cloutier - lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica, banjo
Kim Jennings - harmony vocals, piano & electric piano, organ, wurlitzer
Eric Anderson - drums, bass
Dennis Pearne - bass
Eric Salt - bass
Jenny Jones - harmony vocal
Jon McAuliffe - harmony vocal
Recorded, Mixed, and Produced by Eric Salt, RockSalt Studios
Mastered by Dana White at Specialized Mastering
DanCloutierMusic.com/
AMAZON
iTUNES
"Like" Dan Cloutier's music on FACEBOOK