Garnet Rogers - All That Is

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Music reviews of All That Is

Music Review: He'll become a habit, you'll see...
Rating: 5 Stars

I first saw Garnet Rogers (mumbledy-mumble) years ago, with his brother (do the math, kids, I'm an old lady). He had more hair then (so did I), but he was still a hell of a musician and a sweet guy, and remains both to this day. I've loved his music since I first heard his solo recordings on a local folk show here in the area and saw him play shortly thereafter. I go to see him whenever he's in town, and recommend that you do the same. I was delighted to see that he had released this compilation to be distributed in the United States. It contains many of his best songs, though certainly not all of my favorites.

The musicianship is impeccable. Rogers' voice resembles nothing so much as dark buckwheat honey; his accompaniments are lovely and thoughtful, and he's an accomplished guitarist. He also plays the flute and other strings. His lyrics sometimes touch the heart to tears, but often sparkle with humor. Listen to "Under the Summer Moonlight", which is about his aunt and uncle -- who still love to dance together after 50+ years.

That being said, Rogers is a man of deep convictions, and it's easy to understand that from the words and the music you hear. From the first acoustic notes of "Next Turn of the Wheel" -- about spending summers in his grandparents' home and seeing the whole Maritime way of life die -- to the last Rickenbacker feedback echoes of "Seeds of Hope", which has (deservedly) made its way into a few hymnals, the songs all have a message of triumph over the sometimes harsh and bitter lives of the characters who inhabit them. I always root for the old mare in "Small Victory", even though I've heard the song more times than I can count. I always have tears when I hear his powerful memorial to his brother Stan, "Night Drive", as I hear the raucous chords of his Telecaster, the digital delay making the sound of the heartbeat that unites us all, wishing that we'd told a lost loved one we loved them more often, and "shown (them) better".

Rogers has called his variety of music "loud folk", and if you're in the market for flailing acoustic depressive navel-gazing you've definitely come to the wrong place. What you have here is a man who has grown into the grace and courage to say "Love is all that is, and all that ever was" -- and make it the title of this compilation of some of his best. Buy it. You won't be disappointed. If you like this, get to one of his concerts and then buy the rest of his albums. You will become addicted.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Description of All That Is

Folk CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop