Elb's AUDIOPHILANTHROPY Pt. 2
AUDIOPHILANTHROPY: Pt. Deux
This week: John Wort Hannam
"Pocket Full of holes" & "Dynamite and Dozer's"
As a general rule, I strongly dislike anything vaguely country. But, man, this guy is beyond amazing. I used to think nothing good could come from Southern Alberta, boy howdy was I wrong.
John Wort Hannam (or John Wort Hannam and the Sound Merchants) is more folk and grassroots though, than country. In fact I don't know why I even wrote that as an introductory statement. I retract it. In thought, at least.
What I like the most about JWH (acronym power!) are the amazing song writing ability he has. Whereas many people will tell you the best songs are written from actual experience, JWH defies that sentiment and sings amazing stories of people in small prairies (and small maritime towns as well). Hannam does a fantastic job of putting himself (and by association, us) in the shoes of the various people he portrays. Ranging from Albertan farmers to Nova Scotian (or thereabouts) fishers, to cowboys, to a gunslinger from my own Hometown, Hannam shows his great versatility in song writing.
His lyrics are full of nuance and introspection. One of my favorite songs is the title track of "Dynamite and Dozer's", JWH's latest album. The song is written in response to the death of the old grain elevators around the southern part of my fair province. Through out the track Hannam makes mention of the tension between past and future, and laments the loss of the old ways. "Another's up for closure, dynamite and dozer's, Tradition ain't no match for progress....thats the way things go these days I guess." "whats that in the picture? your grandkids wll ask, standin in the history museum. A small scale model, some old photographs, likey the only way they'll ever see 'em." To me, this song epitomizes Southern Alberta and the farm and ranching culture thats existed here for a century at least.
Another reason I count myself as a huge JWH fan, and this is something no one else can really appreciate, is the local quality. Everyone loves a song that written about them. Now none of these songs are really about Braden, but I have grown up with lots of the stories and culture and historic refrences and allusions he uses. "Above ground" is a great example. Hannam writes a pretty chilling ballad about the life in the colleries up in the mountains a few hundred kilometers away. "Everyday is a good day when its above ground". The lone guitar plucking away really gives a great sense of the drudge and monotony of hauling 'black-gold' from the earth. The climax of the song records the frequent explosions and cave ins tha occur in these workplaces. " Early mornin', chill in the air, her blood runs cold as the sirens blare, underground is so unforgiven, check the name on the list of the missing. All in all 28 bodies are found, everyday's a good day when it's above ground."
I could gush for hours as to why John Wort Hannam is someone that everyone who likes folk and grassroot music should listen to. What it boils down to is great musical story telling, fantastically toe-tapping instrumentation, and a great voice. Love it!
This week: John Wort Hannam
"Pocket Full of holes" & "Dynamite and Dozer's"
As a general rule, I strongly dislike anything vaguely country. But, man, this guy is beyond amazing. I used to think nothing good could come from Southern Alberta, boy howdy was I wrong.
John Wort Hannam (or John Wort Hannam and the Sound Merchants) is more folk and grassroots though, than country. In fact I don't know why I even wrote that as an introductory statement. I retract it. In thought, at least.
What I like the most about JWH (acronym power!) are the amazing song writing ability he has. Whereas many people will tell you the best songs are written from actual experience, JWH defies that sentiment and sings amazing stories of people in small prairies (and small maritime towns as well). Hannam does a fantastic job of putting himself (and by association, us) in the shoes of the various people he portrays. Ranging from Albertan farmers to Nova Scotian (or thereabouts) fishers, to cowboys, to a gunslinger from my own Hometown, Hannam shows his great versatility in song writing.
His lyrics are full of nuance and introspection. One of my favorite songs is the title track of "Dynamite and Dozer's", JWH's latest album. The song is written in response to the death of the old grain elevators around the southern part of my fair province. Through out the track Hannam makes mention of the tension between past and future, and laments the loss of the old ways. "Another's up for closure, dynamite and dozer's, Tradition ain't no match for progress....thats the way things go these days I guess." "whats that in the picture? your grandkids wll ask, standin in the history museum. A small scale model, some old photographs, likey the only way they'll ever see 'em." To me, this song epitomizes Southern Alberta and the farm and ranching culture thats existed here for a century at least.
Another reason I count myself as a huge JWH fan, and this is something no one else can really appreciate, is the local quality. Everyone loves a song that written about them. Now none of these songs are really about Braden, but I have grown up with lots of the stories and culture and historic refrences and allusions he uses. "Above ground" is a great example. Hannam writes a pretty chilling ballad about the life in the colleries up in the mountains a few hundred kilometers away. "Everyday is a good day when its above ground". The lone guitar plucking away really gives a great sense of the drudge and monotony of hauling 'black-gold' from the earth. The climax of the song records the frequent explosions and cave ins tha occur in these workplaces. " Early mornin', chill in the air, her blood runs cold as the sirens blare, underground is so unforgiven, check the name on the list of the missing. All in all 28 bodies are found, everyday's a good day when it's above ground."
I could gush for hours as to why John Wort Hannam is someone that everyone who likes folk and grassroot music should listen to. What it boils down to is great musical story telling, fantastically toe-tapping instrumentation, and a great voice. Love it!
posted by Bray at 12:03 AM
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