Al Tuck Has Done It Again
By Hannah Rose
Under Your Shadow
Al Tuck
New Scotland Records, 2011
The Maritimes have a pleasant habit of supplying Canada with phenomenal musicians, and PEI is lucky enough to claim many as our own. Locals have mused that there must be something in the water here, something that blesses artists with the gift to create music that just… works. Whatever that ‘something’ is, Island music scene stalward Al Tuck has got it, and it’s evident that his upcoming release, Under Your Shadow, has it too.
Under Your Shadow is Tuck’s 8th release since his haunting voice began musing out of stereos in 1994. From beginning to end, its humbling, prophetic lyrics are matched with an eclectic, Canadiana sound, echoing sea shanties and bluegrass melodies alike. Fans of national treasure Leonard Cohen will appreciate Tuck’s poetic lyrics, which, like Cohen’s, tell captivating tales shrouded in mystery. To keep from being too comparative, I won’t bring up how reminiscent of Bob Dylan several of the tracks are — Tuck is an authentic artist all on his own.
Highlights of the record include the haunting “Saltwater Cowboy,” the driving “Ducktown,” the title track, and a live recording of the bluesy “Hello, Prince Edward Island.” Each track reflects a sincerity and authenticity in Tuck’s writing and performance that has been lost by so many others; the soul of it all will hit you like your first drink in months. It makes the perfect soundtrack to our Indian summer, and the sparse nature of the recording might leave you feeling like you’re sitting around the bonfire with an old friend.
Under Your Shadow was produced under the wing of Nova Scotia golden boy Joel Plaskett’s New Scotland Records. Look for the Charlottetown release show at Hunter’s Ale House on November 11th. Until then, you can check out a stunning video of Tuck performing Under Your Shadow at www.southernsouls.com.
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