Preview
JAMES KEELAGHAN
Friday, March 12
The Gateway (SAIT)
Maybe it’s his penchant for history, as reflected in his studies at the University of Calgary in the 1980s, that caused songwriter James Keelaghan to ponder the scenery in his own rear-view mirror. Keelaghan’s new album, Then Again, revisits milestone songs from throughout his 17-year career. Gems like "Cold Missouri Waters," "Jenny Bryce" and "Orion" from the singer’s previous six albums were re-recorded according to Keelaghan’s more recent tastes. It was, he says, an obvious idea.
"I don’t know why more people don’t do something like it," he said from a West Coast stop on his current tour. "Who hasn’t thought of going back and recording a song with say, three guitars instead of one, or changing the instruments or a part? It seems to me like it’s the most natural thing in the world for someone making music."
But a history far beyond his own is reflected in Then Again, and indeed, in most of Keelaghan’s work. His debut album, 1987’s Timelines, featured songs about the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Second World War, and he followed that with a musical novel about the rebellions of Louis Riel’s time. It’s not surprising that Keelaghan’s songs come off like musical storybooks – he reads over 100 books a year. Strangely, these don’t include books on the Canadian history reflected in his songs. "Canadian history is an oral thing. I hear the stories while touring, playing different places and hearing about the experiences of the people." When he reads, books on European history, especially the First World War, are more likely choices.
The singer, his wife and their malamute-cross moved from Calgary to Winnipeg a few years ago, where Keelaghan was not surprised to find a well-established and supportive musical community. The move was prompted in part by a unique philosophy. "I feel that as a Canadian it’s my duty to live in as many places as I can in this country, to enjoy the country’s many different experiences." St. John’s, Victoria and Quebec City are other possible stops on his future residency list. By then, he may well be putting out another album reflecting another 17 years mined and re-panned for more malleable gold dust from the past. |
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