CD Review

Artist: Old Man Luedecke
Title: Proof of Love
Label: Black Hen Music
Released: March 18^th 2008 

3 Stars

Reviewed By: Leah Mertz (Edmonton/Calgary Correspondent - Canada)

Although there is a wide array and plentiful supply of folk singers hailing from Eastern Canada, there are none quite like veteran Chris Luedecke. As a follow up to his debut album, Proof of Love manages to continue the unique and homely sound that Chris refers as belonging to Old Man Luedecke. It is an interesting collection of blue grassy sounds; some quite unfamiliar to myself. Although I must admit, the lyrics Luedecke writes are quite entertaining, and definitely take that extra ounce of thought to decipher. 

His songs all act as tributes to the simplicity of everyday life; there is an underlying sense of optimism and genuine appreciation for the world we reside in. One has to wonder (and hope!) that the ballad sung in dedication to a ‘Little Bird' is meant to symbolize a figure of much more importance; it seems a little to Sesame Street. However I must commend his effort in providing a stable instrumental foundation for the entire album. The sound of his banjo is a timeless tone to our ears; he executes it in an effortless bouquet of simple instruments that highlight his Eastern roots.

Above his musical talents, Luedecke is truly a poet. His lyrics invite us to view the world with delicacy and brace our surroundings with humble means- something we tend to avoid in our day to day routines. His straightforward rhyming schemes are playful, but upon in depth analysis, you begin to realize Luedecke's motives go beyond entertaining; he challenges us to hold an optimistic view of life.  

The title track ‘Proof of Love' poses the question, ‘what can we love?' It is quite obvious really. Through all the songs that follow, Luedecke brings the quirky, upbeat, and sometimes sentimental components of our world into a creative throng of folk tunes. Whether we learn to love these things or not, we will still have had valuable proof that we've made the journey by listening to this album.
 
Proof of Love
Just Like a River
The Drawing Near
Ain't Goin' My Way
Wake Up Hill
Big Group Breakfast
In the Beginning
Little Bird
Sad as a Forest
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Send My Troubles Away
Thrown by the Bull
Lulu my Darling