Album Review

Old Man Luedecke – Tender Is The Night

• 10th Apr 2013

Old Man (Chris) Luedecke is best known in his native Canada for his solo, banjo-driven folk tunes. But for his fifth album he has taken a different path, travelling to Nashville to record with top session musicians. The resulting Tender Is The Night was debuted in Canada last October and is now being released to UK audiences. It has been nominated for a Juno award (the Canadian Grammies) in the Solo Roots And Traditional Album category.

The banjo still plays a lead role here, although there are guitars, fiddles and other stringed instruments aplenty on show too. But it is the quality of the song writing that shines through, with some fine tales told in the thirteen tracks that make up the album. And Luedecke, who doesn’t seem that old to me, has a smooth and mellow voice that is perfect for his story telling style. While these are all original songs he has created a sound that makes them appear to be newly rediscovered traditional music that has been given a modern sheen.

Perhaps the pick of the album is the lovely title track, named after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel. Slow and passionate, this one expresses the joy of coming home with deep emotion. Song for Ian Tyson, written about a well known Canadian cowboy crooner, is a charming country style tribute and another clear highlight.

Can’t Count Tears In The Ocean, a heartbreaking country song, is quite beautiful, while Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms, an up tempo love song with a humorous tone, shows Luedecke’s playful side. A&W Song (named for a Canadian fast food chain) is another amusing track, the tale of a late night quest for food after a heavy drinking session.

There are also several songs with religious themes, although not in an overly preachy sense. The opening Kingdom Come, a rambling bluegrass take on the tale of Jonah And The Whale and the closing folky Long Suffering Jesus all feature some fine imagery.

Tender Is The Night is an album a little out of its time with its old world feel. The engaging and emotional mix of folk music with bluegrass and country influences works well though, and has an authenticity that much of the current crop of trendy nu-folk acts lack. So throw away that Mumfords CD and give Old Man Luedecke a listen instead!

Venue: Tender Is The Night
Support Band: True North Records