This disc from Canadian
Colin Linden returns to the more acoustic feel of his earlier recordings. It is still plugged in and he uses many of the same players from his last two discs, yet it is still a subtler disc that maintains the fiery intensity for which he is known. His songwriting remains strong here, and he either wrote or co-wrote 14 of the 15 songs presented here. He is more than ably backed here by his longtime substantial band of
Gary Craig,
John Dymond, and
Richard Bell. Their work is highlighted by special guests/friends
Bruce Cockburn,
Keb' Mo',
Lee Roy Parnell, and
Lucinda Williams. It is just a sheer delight to hear
Linden and
Lucinda Williams play off each other on this unadulterated romp, "Don't Tell Me." On this disc he displays his full range of influences in a total synthesis, from the electric and acoustic blues work across and through the highways of the Continent to the Nashville twang that is infiltrating his sound. Make no mistake, this is a substantial, honest disc that is sustained and heightened by
Linden's voice and guitars, with the wonderful collaboration of
John Whynot.