House Of Cards
House Of Cards” finds James Keelaghan at the peak of his songwriting craft, delivering ten finely structured songs marked by his rich baritone and keen sense of history—both past and present. The album features collaborations with esteemed songwriters including Scotland’s Karine Polwart and Canada’s David Francey, Rose Cousins, and Dave Gunning. Longtime musical collaborators Hugh MacMillan and David Woodhead contribute mandolin, lap steel, horn arrangements, and a variety of basses, enriching the album’s warm acoustic texture.
Praised as a modern folk masterpiece, “House Of Cards” exemplifies the art of folk music—poetic, meaningful, and timeless. Keelaghan’s voice, reminiscent of greats like Gordon Lightfoot, brings a straightforward and simple charm that transcends time. This album is an ideal starting point for those new to contemporary folk and a treasure for longtime fans of Keelaghan’s unparalleled artistry.
If any of you younger people out there ever wondered about the art of modern folk music, here is a great place to start. And, yes, it is an art. There is poetry and meaning in true folk music which separates modern folk from standard singer/songwriter fare and few have it down better than James Keelaghan. Blessed with textured voice, a cross between maybe that of Gordon Lightfoot and Roger Whittaker, he captures the folk era of the late sixties-through-seventies with straightforward and simple charm. And I know what you’re thinking. It probably sounds dated. Allow me to alleviate that fear because good folk music, like all good music, transcends that very thought, and this is not only good but very, very good.
~ A review written for the Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange by Frank Gutch Jr.