From Toronto, the ensemble Stranger Still returns to us with its exploration of the folk roots of Nova Scotia, which it intertwines with Prog Rock techniques and atmospheres. Based on poems by Alden Nowlan, the songs evoke, as if in echo, the traditional chants of the British coasts, or even the prog experience of McDonald and Giles in 1970, but in often narrow, rubbed harmonies, to which the double bass and guitar join in a modest manner.
Fortunately, there are occasional appearances of a violin, a harp, or a harmonium, otherwise the monotony of the textures would have been tiresome.
The energy displayed is often that of somewhat solemn anthems, but a few more danceable songs are included in the program, and when they arrive, they do good.
Mim Adams – voice
Randi Helmers – voice
Rob Clutton – double bass
Pete Johnston – acoustic guitar, lap steel, vocals
Sarah Frank – violin
Màiri Chaimbeul – harp
Andrew Killawee – harmonium
