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Dec 25,2005 - Jan 8,2005 |
Songs from the Shack
Tom Wilson and Bob Lanois team up on intimate rootsy disk
By Kerry Doole
Originally Published: 2005-10-23
Less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Hamilton, The Shack occupies a whole different world. Off Snake Road, on a piece of land owned by Bob Lanois, this is no ordinary rural cabin. Inside is vintage recording gear owned by Bob and his younger brother, superstar producer Daniel, and The Shack is quickly gaining notoriety as a magical place in which to make music.
The likes of Bruce Cockburn and The Silver Hearts have recorded there, but the first full expression of its creative potential recently surfaced in the form of The Shack Recordings, Volume 1. It's a collaborative effort between singer/songwriter Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings) and Lanois, a studio wizard only just revealing his own major musical abilities.
The album is a roots music gem. Wilson's distinctively powerful voice has been reined in, with full emphasis being placed upon his poetic songs. Lanois frames them perfectly with his sparse and intimate production sound, while assisting on harmonica playing, backing vocals and co-writes on a couple of instrumentals. In separate interviews, both principals explained the record's genesis.
As fixtures on the Hamilton scene, the two have known each other nearly 30 years. "The Lanois brothers have always inspired to take what I do seriously," says Tom. "Bob has tried to encourage me to be a better communicator as a singer, and this was his job at The Shack. It was about being able to communicate the songs as if you're sitting in the room with me having a conversation."
To Lanois, "Tom is one of the more important poets we have. I thought 'wouldn't it be great to capture him in a certain light, to be able to get a recording devoid of technique?' It is a daunting task when you are working with someone with such an unbelievable voice. That can actually overshadow a recording. Tommy for years has known I've not necessarily been a huge fan of the showmanship. He knew I couldn't wait to get my hands on him and coax him into singing it straight. The crown on this record is that the songs are so great and are sung from the heart."
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