Somebody Wrote Love

 

 

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A good all-'round album. Canyon has a voice that was meant to be singing country music.

I read T. Yap "thy4568"'s July 13/06 review, and while I agree about the quality of the music, I have to correct part of the first paragraph. George Canyon did not win Season 1 of "Nashville Star" - Buddy Jewell did. George Canyon came in second in Season 2. Canyon's debut album was actually the self-titled "George Canyon" that he self-produced. His independently-recorded single from that album, "Good Day To Ride", reached #12 and stayed in the Top 50 for more than 20 weeks on Canadian Country Radio.

George won the Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Somebody Wrote Love" at the 2006 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs).

Another album, another great one. George is a strong songwriter, singer who is sticking to his beliefs and heart. Madi's song is a tear jerker knowing its about his daughter and his feeling towards her and being her dad. There isnt a song that I don't like or would skip. Actually have two copies of this cd and keep one in each vehicle. A great buy, you won't be sorry you made the purchase.

Prime Cuts: Your Smile, Madi's Song (The Man She Thinks I Am), The Hard Times

George Canyon has been nascent to the slew of Nashville star artists throwing out CDs. Crowned as the first Nashville star in 2004, "One Good Friend," his Universal South Records debut, followed on the heels of his condign win. Unfortunately the millions of votes did not translate into sales or radio airplay, resulting in Universal South Records' decision not to released follow-up "Somebody Wrote Love" to the US market. Only released in his native Canada, the US consumer market's fickleness is its own loss, as this sophomore CD for Universal South shows depth and gravitas. Also, as an added bonus, Canyon brings a matured nuance to his delivery testimonial of a singer who sings as if he has been through the wringer of these paeans' emotional depths a few times himself. Part of such a success comes from album's well-chosen tunes. Instead of pocketing most of the writing royalties himself by penning paltry run-of-the-mill commodities, Canyon has garnered songs from Music Row's luminaries such as Rick Bowles, Pat Alger, Neil Thrasher, Gordie Sampson and Tom Shapiro among others.

As they say the last shall be first, "The Hard Times," which encores this CD, is easily the album's most outstanding cut. A lacerating Gospel piano-led ballad, "The Hard Times" squares with life's tribulations face to face. Instead of offering one of those "mansion-in-the-sky" escapes, Canyon urges us to thank God for trials as they are divine pedagogical devices used to teach us about faith and God himself. This is soul saving stuff; this is music that truly makes a difference. Also, quite affecting, though less emotionally cumbrous are a couple of love ballads "Coming from You" and " I Want You to Live." Pat Alger (who has penned hits for Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks) shares the pen with Canyon on "Madi's Song," an acoustic ballad that excels on its simple yet heartfelt words.

Surfeited with some twangy lead guitar, the title track and also the vanguard single, is a propulsive upbeat number that has a melody that is capable of re-spinning in one's mind even when the song's over. While those who have been privy to Canyon's baritone charms will be delighted with the slow almost spoken intro of "Time for Goodbye" before the song transforms into a rousing toe-tapping barn burner. While "Your Smile" finds a love-struck Canyon in his celebratory best, and it is made even more jovial with a punctuated Roger-Whittaker-like whistle at the song's bridge. A few other peppy cuts such as "Drinkin' Thinkin'," "Ladders to Climb" and "Quitters" are more of a standard fare without much to write home about.

On the whole "Somebody Wrote Love" is not for the puerile. Rather, this is a CD that anchors itself with shafts of insights---some of which are heartwarming, some of which are life affirming, while others are thoughts to wrestle with. Nevertheless, this is a bunch of songs that gets to the soul and heart. While many artists are caught in the mire of sophomore slum, Canyon's well-chosen songs and reflective deliveries have elevated him to firmer grounds of longevity and gravitas.

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