Artist: Mike Tod
Album: Mike Tod
Release Date: April 13, 2023
Genre: Folk
Alberta old-time musician, folk music scholar, and ethnomusicologist Mike Tod brings many of his favourite folk and old-time songs from black and white into technicolour on his debut self-titled LP.
The ten-song release begins with previous singles, “The Coo Coo” and “The Blackest Crow.” Both of these tracks serve as a great introduction for new listeners, showcasing Mike’s genuine sound.
“Cigarettes and Whiskey” comes in at track four and features a simple yet rhythmic beat joined by Mike’s distinct vocals and pleasing vocal harmonies. The lyrics of the chorus, “Cigarettes and Whiskey, And wild, wild women, They’ll drive you crazy, They’ll drive you insane,” evokes a tongue-in-cheek feel while telling a timeless tale, as all good folk songs do.
“Wait for Me” was initially recorded by the obscure old-time duo Harold and Hazel, and is the standout track on the album, at least for me. Mike sings along with his wife, Opal Retzer, on this reimagined version of the classic. Throughout the song, the lyrics tell a story of someone who is leaving their home and loved one behind to travel. The duet between Mike and Opal perfectly embodies the essence of true love and features beautiful vocal melodies and a rustic yet polished acoustic offering.
Overall, the debut LP from Mike Tod conveys a genuine sense of old-time folk music and its ability to tell tales of love, loss, struggle, and triumph through traditional music styles. The LP showcases Mike’s deep sense of emotion, with lyrics and melodies that evoke feelings of joy, sadness, longing, and nostalgia.