Tuesday, February 25, 2020

MUSIC REVIEW OF THE DAY: NICK EARLE - BREAKING NEW GROUND

Is it too early to be talking, dare I say it, summer? This spate of fine weather (here on the East Coast) has us thinking signs of spring, but now I've seen the first mentions of acts playing at the upcoming summer music festivals as well. It's just been announced that Newfoundland's Nick Earle will be returning to N.B.'s Larlee Creek Hullabaloo in August, where I caught his set last year. This time it will be a full-band show. Earle's been moving fast since the split of the award-winning Earle & Coffin duo. In 2019 he put out his debut solo work, Breaking New Ground, and now he has a new one coming in April, this time with his touring band, called Nick Earle and the Restless Hearts. A first single, "I Wanna Know," is out now gaining spins and streams.

While we wait for the new album, I thought I'd take the opportunity to get caught up on his last one. Breaking New Ground was an apt title. Working on his own, Earle has moved away from the acoustic blues of Earle & Coffin, instead showcasing his roots-rock side. Nine of the ten tracks are originals, and feature catchy melodies and great vocals from Earle. He has an appealing voice, warm with lots of heart, a pleasure to hear. The album is almost all a solo affair, with Earle covering all the guitars and bass, Dan George handling drums and Islanders Quote The Raven on backing vocals on four cuts. Rachel Cousins adds a fine duet lead on "Only Wanted You," which the pair co-wrote. Earle impresses throughout on guitar, especially lots of slide licks. And while he doesn't surpass Bonnie Raitt's cover of "Angel From Montgomery," he still nails it, and it tells you a lot about the songwriting he admires.

His own writing is showing lots of spark and promise as well. "Back In Montreal" is a solid road trip story, and it definitely feels like we're still at the start of a long journey for Earle, talent on the rise.

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