Last week as I was weaving my way through the city, trying to avoid the busy crawl of 17 th Ave, my car was suddenly showered with yellow and orange leaves, twirling into mini-tornadoes in front of me. Immediately, my mind snapped forward to images of snow covered streets and frozen air and my heart sank as I reached for the volume dial on the CD player. I turned it up and the words rang out: “Rye whiskey, burned like never before, and these lonely days are knocking at my door.” The infectious tempo and swampy electric guitars of Cam Penner’s song ‘Rye Whiskey’ pumped through the speakers and announced their arrival to my senses like a train rumbling through a sleepy town. As quickly as I was removed, I was returned to the crisp reality of the fall afternoon, only this time, the scene was underscored by a driving melody, urging me forward to embrace the impending change.
Cam Penner couldn’t have picked a better month than October to release his second full-length album, Felt Like a Sunday Night, which speaks (or rather sings) of an evolution both sonically and personally. Recent alterations in Penner’s world include a separation from his wife as well as a departure from thirteen years of employment at a homeless shelter here in Calgary. For Penner, it was a difficult choice to leave this job since the role of ‘social worker’ had been an appendage of his persona for a very long time. Though a necessary move, adjusting to life without this job was difficult. “I think after thirteen years, I needed to take a break…and it was really hard – it felt selfish. There was a bit of guilt there,” says Penner.
As time passed, the guilt faded and he grew more comfortable with his choice. He smiles and laughs openly now as he talks about his new full-time job, being a musician. Despite a significant pay cut, he is more than happy to split his time between writing songs and dealing with the day-to-day requirements of the music business. Though he is quick to credit local music aficionados like Brian Taylor for giving him guidance when needed, he knows the bulk of the work (booking, promotion etc.) will fall in his lap until he is able to recruit a full time manager or agent. “I do endless hours of research on the Internet,” he says, “and find these clubs and make sure I have a good bio, make sure I have a good website, make sure things like that are strong.”
One thing he need not second-guess is the strength of his new album. The songs flow with ease between the instantly catchy country rockers like ‘Rye Whiskey’ and ‘Be Kind’ to the slow songs like ‘No Stars’, a waltz reminiscent of Joe Henry with backing vocals by Victoria Williams. In this case, Williams’ part is played by Penner’s ex-wife Tabitha whose eerily sweet harmonies create the perfect wine soaked goodbye as together, they sing: “Footprints on the sidewalk, are filling with snow, every song about winter sells Christmas, down at the mall”.
The strength of the musicianship runs deep in this project, with stellar contributions by locals Mike Little (Hammond B3 Organ) and Craig Korth (Dobro and banjo). Whereas Penner’s previous release Get Up is more keyboard heavy, Felt Like a Sunday Night feels more like a Saturday night with the crunchy electric guitar lines and “riffs” tastefully handled. Credit for this is owed to guitarist Jeff Drummond. Penner is not reluctant to shower praises upon his friend and musical collaborator who is not only a full-time member of the Penner backup band, ‘The Gravel Road’ (which includes bassist Ross Watson and drummer Adam Esposito), but also the producer of the album. Penner refers to Drummond as a kind of music teacher as well, with a sense of humor in the studio. There was a joke between the two about how they were going to arrange ‘Rye Whiskey’ to sound like a commercial for Coors Light Silver Bullet.
Cam Penner will be spending some time in London England this month for a few performances without the company of The Gravel Road. For now though, his focus is on releasing the album here in Calgary and rocking out with the band in front of local fans. If you care to tune in, Penner’s prairie soul might catch you too and be the remedy for the blues that ail you – that ail us. “I was meant to be kind, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll take it from here,” sings Penner on ‘Be Kind’. Well, go right ahead and take it man - I don’t mind one bit.
Cam Penner & the Gravel Road
Felt Like a Sunday Night CD Release Show