Although
Goin' Home is just his second album, Gibb Todd has already created quite a stir in folk circles. As writer, interpreter, and singer he's a powerful triple threat and shows it full well on this set. As a Scot recently moved to Australia, the concept of home is obviously one that draws him (and not only in the album's title); his own "Canada" addresses the idea through the prism of history, while "Norlin' Wind" with its eerie bassline becomes one of the most memorable tracks, and "Last Trip Home" has a delicate poignancy. Not afraid of tackling big songs, he offers a stark version of
Eric Bogle's classic "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" that overpowers by its straightforward approach. Yet it's not all intensity since both "Cape Cod Girls" and "Don't Put Taxes on the Women" both bring sunshine among the shadows. With some exceptional backing behind a voice that commands attention, Todd has made a cracking album that should place him as a force to be reckoned with on the folk scene. ~ Chris Nickson