Canadian Multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter, Cary Heuchert returns with a followup album to his “Blue Rain” (2014), simply titled “Hourglass.” The evergreen, “Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind
...” from the pen of novelist, Nathaniel Hawthorne is in some ways an apt quote for a perfect continuation after so many years from the stylistic approach Cary took on his prior release with those touches of Floydian acoustic soundscapes and plied here once again with some new songs.
Late 2017 Cary teamed up with local Vancouver drummer, Grant Ball and after a year of rehearsal they started recording ‘Hourglass.’ Over the course of two years Cary brought on board for the ten songs a number of artists including fellow Saskatonian and Northern Pikes member, Jay Semko, on harmony vocals, Canadian jazz bassist, Miles Hill, on 5-string fretless bass and local Vancouver bassist, Collin Wade on three songs. There’s also a very special artist on keys who I mention further below.
You can tell Cary is a big fan of Floyd by the not so subtle homage to Storm Thorgerson and Hipgnosis with the graphic work on Hourglass. It works for me. And the comparisons don’t end there.
The opening track, “This Is The Time” sets the tone and mood of the album with its “think Floyd’s ‘Animals‘ by way of acoustic guitar. That’s it. Just acoustic guitar and Cary singing his ballad. Well that and reverb here and there, not to mention double tracking in places, too. “The Sea Of Faces” with it’s atmospherics of fading in an ocean with all sorts of eerie spacial sounds Hawkwind would be proud of soon leads into a story Michael Moorcock could have told of multi-dimensional happenings in true psychedelic fashion The Electric Prunes would be proud of.
“You Are The World To Me” mellows it down a tad with a bit of guitar strum accompanied by piano from guest artist, Tony Pagliuca of Le Orme fame. It’s a love ballad and not the only one on offer here. Touches of Bowie/Bryan Ferry and an assortment of late 60’s hippie bands from the sound of it, especially on “Together” which is a game of two halves with a building ballad leading to an all out groovefest. I need to say that although I’ve name-dropped more than a few known artists into the mix here as a reference, Cary’s voice is one you won’t soon forget. He has his own distinctive tone and styling if anything, of a crooner in some ways. Maybe a folk way with lots of interesting instrumental sounds included such as both electric, acoustic and steel guitars, not to mention piano and all sorts of keyboards to add to the melodic vibe. If you enjoyed Cary’s ‘Blue Rain‘ release then this one is a fine musical compendium to add to your collection.
You can purchase “Hourglass” in Digital or CD from Bandcamp. Just click on the banner to take you there for more information.
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