Tried and True

Right away, from the opening title-track, you can feel the warm, welcoming, kick-off-your-shoes vibe that runs through Annie Lou's latest album. Annie Lou is the name of the band fronted by singer-songwriter, banjo player and guitarist Anne Louise Genest, who has emerged over the last few years as one of Canada's finest purveyors of acoustic roots music. ‘Tried and True’ lopes along with a pleasing rhythmic shamble, familiar but fresh enough to hold the ear. Genest's voice beckons with a clear, resonant tone, carrying the simple melody with compelling sincerity and subtle charm. The superb musicianship of Annie Lou's core members – Max Heineman (double bass), Andrew Collins (mandolin and fiddle) and Sarah Hamilton (fiddle) – is thoroughly engaging without being showy. The mix of song types – old-time ballads, bluegrass favourites, Western swing tunes and waltzes – keeps things interesting while guest artists lend textural breadth and depth to several tracks. Burke Carroll's pedal steel guitar on Hazel Dickens’ ‘It's Hard to Tell the Singer from the Song’ and ‘Roses Blooming’ is especially fine. A cool breath of fresh Canadian air.