Sophisticated songwriters make it all seem simple

By D.S. Martin and ChristianWeek | October 15, 2007

Tim Alberts & Philip Cottrell: Wide Open
Guelph, ON: Moonlit Music 2007
CDN $15

This is more of a preview than a review since Wide Open has not yet gone through its final mix.

Philip Cottrell gave me a rough mix of this follow-up to their 2004 CD, Spin. They still have to re-record the live horns for the track "Gimme My Ball," and a couple of songs are still works in progress. Theirs is a textured, acoustic-flavoured rock, not unlike much of Poco or America.

Cottrell and Alberts are unapologetic about recording something that, musically, could be from the 1970s, with musical influences that include Mark Heard and Bruce Cockburn. Lyrically, both Alberts and Cottrell have chosen to take an open-ended approach to writing--giving listeners things to consider, but not predigested answers.

Stories seem to lurk just beneath the surface.

The track "Still Shadows" begins: "Bones of a city, like a carcass made of bricks and steel" and goes on to mention Baghdad, children and soldiers. "It's really not political," says Alberts. He was inspired to write a song contrasting the beauty of the architecture of Baghdad with the ugliness of war, while reading a blog from Iraq.

Cottrell describes "Jericho" as a song that changed direction halfway through the writing process. He'd been trying to tell his father's story, after he'd passed away, but it became a song about a journey--not necessarily the journey of Israel to the promised land, but of everyone's journey. In the rough mix a helicopter-type sound draws the song into the present rather than back to ancient Jericho.

Alberts' composition "At Exactly the Same Time" flows from memorable line to memorable line with self-deprecating wisdom and profound truths. Here's a good choice for musicians looking for a great new song to cover. It's a song that embraces paradoxes:

"We're good on the surface but brutal underneath
And though I believe, Lord, help my unbelief
I'd like to surrender my world-weary mind
To surrender is to conquer at exactly the same time."

The harmonies beautifully complement these words.

Cottrell and Alberts' voices blend exquisitely on this album, subtly sweetened by the vocals of Marian Butler.

Other musicians who play on Wide Open include: Gary Craig, who drums for Colin Linden and Bruce Cockburn; bassist Fergus Marsh, who has played with Cockburn and Mark Heard; and a guest appearance by Jim Creegan of Barenaked Ladies. Glen Soderhom and David White also contribute to the vocals.

Cottrell says he's a little concerned about "Gimme My Ball," which has more of an R&B feel than anything else on the CD, because they're seeking a consistent "pallet of sound."

Despite Cottrell's concern, the song doesn't depart from the sound the way an orchestra or a bluegrass band would. I certainly hope they don't exclude it from the final package.

There was nothing particularly rough about the early mix I heard. This is mature music from sophisticated songwriters who know how to make it all seem simple.

You can receive updates on the CD release concert from concertinfo@moonlitmusic.ca. An excerpt from my interview with the musicians can be read at twgauthors.blogspot.com–posted on September 26th.