Review: T-Time
T-Time Review: Briapatch
Norman Walker has been around for a long time on the Regina folk music scene but seldom as a headliner. With the release of his first CD, however, things have changed. Big time. Walker's CD is a delightful collection of his off-the-wall anecdotes, sentimental songs and some "political" compositions. From the toe-tapping western swing rendition of Interstellar Cowboy to Rosa, the story of a family poodle which meets an untimely end to the final cut, a beautiful salute to Christmas called The Spirit of Giving, Walker deserves a loud round of applause. So too do his backup singers, musicians and recording engineers. Supporting artists read like a partial "who's who" of folk music, including David Essig, Bob Evans, Paddy Tutty, Ray Bell and Susan Bond with digital editing and mastering by Rob Bryanton.
It's not possible to adequately review this CD in a short space because almost every cut deserves recognition. For example, Walker's main occupation as an electrician is amusingly exploited in the pun-filled Ohm's Law where good guy George Ohm goes after bad guy Electron Bob. Or how about the giggle producing End of the Roll where a carpet layer accidentally rolls up and flattens a stray budgie?
On the serious side, Diamonds and Gold explores man's greed while Lament for the Prairie Giants mourns the destruction of many grain elevators, once the symbol of farm life on the prairies. With 16 full songs and a couple of short intros, "T" Time is well worth the price of $20.
Clare Powell, Briarpatch Magazine.
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