New nine-song collection formally introduces an essential Canadian alt-country voice
After establishing himself as an essential new voice within the Canadian alt-country scene with the singles “First Rains of May” and “Rodeo Son,” Joe Ray McDonald is ready to display the full range of his talent on his new album Cowboy Cake, out now.
Based in the Ottawa Valley near Canada’s capital city, McDonald has been turning heads since “First Rains of May” began drawing comparisons to the work of Townes Van Zandt and Tyler Childers. Moreover, McDonald’s flat-picking guitar skills and overall production aesthetic on the song set the bar high for the rest of Cowboy Cake, a standard that “Rodeo Son” easily lived up to, if not exceeded.
McDonald meticulously constructed Cowboy Cake at his home studio with bassist Chris Pond and drummer José Garcia, before sending it to Nashville where Colter Wall band member Patrick Lyons overdubbed pedal steel and dobro — skills that brilliantly complement McDonald’s Willie Nelson-esque delivery on the latest focus track, “The Dream.” Further overdubs of Rhodes piano, harmony vocals, mandolin and fiddle completed the process.
McDonald then spent three months mixing Cowboy Cake himself, a choice stemming from a passion to learn all aspects of his craft, as well as a passion to hit all the right emotional notes, much like his favourite film directors Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone.
“I am always trying to be a better songwriter, guitarist and human being,” Joe Ray says. “I really believe that who you are as a person has a huge impact on how you develop on your instrument and as a writer.”
McDonald says that he originally conceived “First Rains of May” as a classic outlaw ballad about a desperate man turning to crime to support his family, a scenario that ultimately leads to his demise. “Rodeo Son” leans on classic balladry as well while showcasing McDonald’s distinctive voice and recording approach.
Overall, it could be best described as an homage to classic ‘70s outlaw country artists in melding melody and top-notch musicianship with darkly evocative lyrics.
McDonald says,
“‘Rodeo Son’ came out of thinking on a high plains drifter, Clint Eastwood type of character, roaming around doing his thing. The more I got to thinking on it and fleshing it out, I realized I was writing about my dad and my brother.”
Like flowers on a finely tailored cowboy shirt, Joe Ray McDonald’s music adds beautiful details to a durable form, raising country music songwriting to a higher artistic level. And the fact that he does it so effortlessly is perhaps the best reason to believe he will one day be mentioned in the same breath as his heroes and primary inspirations.
Canada has never had a shortage of great singer/songwriters, and as the alt-country genre has evolved, we continue to be at the forefront. Joe Ray McDonald is poised to become the latest to join that elite group of artists.
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