Canadian soul and roots artist Charlie A’Court has earned himself quite the critical following in his homeland, winning a swag of awards including Entertainer of the Year and Blues Recording of the Year at the Music Nova Scotia Awards in 2009 and 2007, respectively.
His latest release, Sun Is Gonna Shine comes in conjunction with recent Australian appearances at the Sydney Blues & Roots festival.
His music is a bit like those inoffensive tunes you might hear at an unpretentious hotel bar, or the soundtrack to some American film where the protagonist moves back to their hometown after several years of following their dreams in the big smoke.
Clichés aside, as the title suggests, Sun Is Gonna Shine has a brightness and positive inflection that is carried throughout.
Despite an overall uplifting tone, A’Court showcases many different moods. He’s upbeat with the inclusion of brass on ‘The World Around Me,’ vulnerable on ‘Alone,’ and spiritually reflective on ‘Toast And Jam.’
There is plenty of variation on the record, though it can be a little cumbersome to listen to in one go unless played in the background, with most of the 13 tracks clocking it at well over 4 minutes.
Tacked onto the end of the album is a live acoustic version of ‘Take Me Down.’ In the studio recording, the intricate guitar part and other production elements are at the forefront, with A’Court’s vocals just another part of the overall composition.
The stripped-back live recording, however, puts the brute strength and soul of A’Court’s voice in the spotlight, making the delivery so much more powerful and heartfelt – a nice way to finish a very solid album.
