In an age when really good music exists, but is hidden away in the "shops" of Internet-land, because the high street sell chart music, 95% of which (in my opinion) is pap, and do not have room for this kind of material, I have discovered Stan Rogers and I am proud to have done so!As someone who like to look out for different music, I was looking for Jimmie Rodgers when I came across Stan. It fired my interest, so I checked out Amazon for his albums and reviews - and to try and hear a clip of some of the tracks. Very promising.... so I take a chance and buy "Fogarty's Cove".
The result is a glorious album of stories about Canadian life and times, sung in a wonderful baritone voice, with an acoustic band which is as tight as a drum. Don't ask me to say which of the 12 tracks I like the best - they are all very special, but if push came to shove, I would plump for "Firty-Five Years", "The Maide Of The Shore", "Finch's Complaint" and "The Maid Of The Shore" - see, I can't pick one!
Remember, this album was released 27 years ago, but it sounds as fresh as a daisy, as if it was made yesterday. I would suggest the topics are as relavant today as then, so I conclude that this is a timeless album.
The tragic end to his life - as a passenger on the ill-fated Air Canada flight 797 which caught fire at Cincinnati Airport - must not take away his music or his memory.
I doubt if he would have had the exposure to be a superstar, but, in my mind, he is. He comes from a land of brilliant artists and bands, but he ranks with the best.
This album is an absolute gem and the more people know it, the better. Go and buy it and luxuriate in Stan's view of Canadianism......you won't regret it.
