Norma MacDonald - Burn the Tapes

  by Nicky Crewe

published: 25 / 8 / 2015

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Norma MacDonald hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is following in the grand tradition of Canadian singer-songwriters and female country folk singers. There is a bluegrass melancholy in her voice and lyrics, as well as a more upbeat country rock feel. For this, her fourth album, she has gathered some great musicians around her, making the most of traditional instruments and contemporary production techniques. Steel guitars, dobro, mandolin, banjo, cello and trumpet all highlight her lovely voice. It reminds me of the 'Transatlantic Sessions@. They sound like they are a group of friends enjoying the process of playing together .The recordings took place over thirteen months, a lot of time for things to alter and change, but there’s a continuity that must come from Norma MacDonald’s involvement as producer as well as performer. She cites Gram Parsons as an influence, and reminders of singers from Emmylou Harris to Alison Krauss are present on the recordings. The arrangements are good too, and her duet with Gabe Minnikin (The Guthries) on 'Lighten Up' is a stand out track. It’s intriguing to know that she works as an ER nurse in her day job. There is a pain and world weariness in her songs that might be informed by her experiences there.

Track Listing:-

1 Company
2 Blue as a Jay
3 You Can't Carry It Around
4 Old Song
5 Before We Say Goodnight
6 Daysleeper
7 Lighten Up
8 Accidental Guest
9 To Nebraska
10 Hard to Get Back

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/norma-macdonald/12709862487
http://www.normamacdonald.com/
https://normamacdonald.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/normamacdonald
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/normamacdonald/

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