André Bisson Dazzles with “The Reformed Deceiver”: A Soulful Slice of Upbeat Musical Brilliance with a Touch of Classic Motown
Sliding in with a new single, “The Reformed Deceiver,” André Bisson brings us an upbeat soul song that wouldn’t be far removed from any Motown classic. Tinged with Bisson’s signature blues country sound, “The Reformed Deceiver” is out now.
From a small town in Northern Ontario to the warming crowds of England and Wales, Bisson’s message demands attention. With a 20-year career, he boasts 9 studio albums, numerous awards, and sold-out shows across Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe. As the sole songwriter and arranger for his 6 to 20-piece ensemble, Andre infuses soul, roots, blues, and R&B, crafting a unique musical brand that complements his poignant lyrics.
Since his debut on stage at 15, Andre’s unwavering love for live performances has remained constant. Teaming up with world-class musicians, he prioritizes delivering an exciting and unforgettable musical experience. His style and musical philosophy have gained recognition, earning awards like “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Song of the Year.” Each performance captivates the audience with ever-evolving sound, leaving them eager for his 10th album, due in Fall 2023.
“The Reformed Deceiver” is a lively soul tune that fuses the energetic charm of a blues horn section and the elegance of a string ensemble. This burning combination brings us back to the nostalgia of 1960s Motown. With many themes running through the song, its underlying narrative delves into ideas that when we shed the burdens that weigh us down, we free ourselves from self-deception and embrace the potential of a brighter future we can shape on our own terms. It serves as an uplifting reminder of the boundless possibilities when we let go of the impossible and draw inspiration from our limitless potential.
The song opens with a toe-tapping intro of horns, dancing piano, warming strings, and popping drums before dropping to just a piano melody, a walking bass, and the chugga of an electric that fluidly walks around Bisson’s husky vocals on his opening verse. Bisson follows the classic verse chorus verse pattern, which is ideal because it works perfectly. As Bisson builds to the chorus, we get an uplifting yet gentle build-up before it kicks in.
‘Now I’m a believer, a reformed deceiver
I’m through with walking away
I don’t know where tomorrow lies
And today’s left in disguise
So thank you for yesterday.’
Bisson says,
“If I were to use one word to describe the theme of this album, it would be ‘perspective’. Perspective, along with observation and empathy can create the reality we choose to live in.”
He adds,
“We may not be able to control all the things in our lives, but we can control how we react to them. This can make all the difference. The outlook differs drastically when the situation is approached from a different angle. To quote William Shakespeare: ‘I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs.'”
“The Reformed Deceiver” is the next single from Bisson’s new studio album Latchford with the rolling blues train of “Dusty Albums” in July and the 60s groove of “Shake” in May. This trio of singles forms the backbone of a solid set of new songs from Bisson.
The essence of an album delves into the profound idea that transforming our lives isn’t always about altering external circumstances. Still, instead, it’s about how we perceive and interpret them. By recognizing our power over our thoughts, we gain mastery over our existence, shaping our outlook on life and moulding our reality. This collection of songs urges us to take responsibility for our destinies, acknowledging that the keys to a fulfilling life reside within ourselves. The album beautifully reminds us that the tools needed to lead a desired life already exist, waiting to be unlocked and unleashed.
In his latest album, Latchford, André Bisson continues his tradition of being the sole songwriter, arranger, and producer, as he demonstrated with previous successful albums like “The Ballad of Lucy Stone” released in 2022. However, to bring these tunes to life, he enlisted the collaboration of a highly talented and diverse group of musicians. While Bisson handles lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, and certain percussion and harmonica parts, he is joined by an exceptional ensemble. The roster includes Jesse O’Brien on piano and organ, Mike Rowell on bass guitar, Keagan Early on drums, Pat Carey on tenor and bari saxophone, Shawn Moody on trumpet/flugelhorn, Loretta Hale on trumpet and cello, Rob Somerville on trombone, Paul Barna on violin/viola, and backing vocalists Quisha Wint and Selena Evangeline, with additional piano by Dan Rodrigues. The album was expertly recorded at Mississauga’s Metalworks Studios, with engineering and mixing credits going to Wayne Cochrane Sound and the final touches handled by mastering engineer Chris Crerar.
“The Reformed Deceiver,” the Motown-inspired lively soul story, is the third single from André Bisson’s upcoming new album Latchford and is available now.