PLAIN FOLK by Les Pearson and David Gue I guess two recordings started our club debate on the merits of tribute collections. In 2003 Collin Linden produced Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot (Borealis). Linden drew upon the talents of every conceivable Canadian folk star from Cockburn to Keelaghan, from the Cowboy Junkies to The tragically Hip, with mixed results. Frankly, some renditions of Lightfoot’s songs surpass their composer’s original. Harry Manx’s Bend in the Water is a case in point. But this is a personal opinion. What follows is David Gue’s view from the other side of the coulee: “Tribute albums - at least, those featuring multiple performers - are something I don't need and don't enjoy. Perfect items for "re-gifting" whenever they appear in my Christmas stocking. If I really like a performer, I want a good dose of whatever talent he or she has. I'll fire up an original recording, and soak it up. I'll take the real Gordon Lightfoot, even on a well-worn LP, over his much-lauded tribute album any day. If I really like a song, I'll check out a few versions of it, and then pick a favorite. That's the one that gets added to my playlist. Forget the rest. Listening to multi-performer tribute albums is like riding a bumper car. I feel like I'm being pushed in one direction after another by assorted interpretations of a variety of songs. A good groove comes along, I settle into it, and then, wham! New voice, new instrumentation, new lyrics. No chance to savor anything. It's like being force-fed a smorgasbord. Now "cover albums" are a different story entirely. A single performer, doing whatever he or she does best, with songs from a single writer - that can be interesting. Think of Jennifer Warnes' stellar "Famous Blue Raincoat" recording of Leonard Cohen songs. Or my all-time favorite, "Odetta Sings Dylan". What an amazing half-hour that ancient record provides. Odetta's deep, resonant, classically-trained voice and her distinctive rhythm guitar are complemented perfectly by Bill Lee's amazing work on the string bass. The subtle, restrained result brings a whole new dimension to Bob Dylan's early work. Every track shines. Biggest disappointment? The multiple-volume "Songs of Pete Seeger" tribute, featuring every folk performer still breathing and performances that are mostly just embarrassing. Pete's huge legacy of perfectly good recordings, especially the live albums, is its own tribute. Who needs more? There is one positive note. Tribute albums can allow lesser performers to bask in the reflected glory of the tributee. But I dislike lending my time and money to that pursuit.” Next week: k. d. lang’s tribute to Canadian music. For anyone still needing to pay tribute to talented musicians, consider John Reischman and the Jaybirds in concert tomorrow night at the College Theatre. This band’s authentic bluegrass sound deserves your special attention. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. Some tickets available at the door. Come early!
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