When author Richard Ford's aunt was on her death bed, she told her nephew, "Don't get too grand." That piece of wisdom now functions as the title of Donovan Woods' latest album, which arrived this week through Aporia Records/Outside Distribution. Now, the whole thing is available to stream on Exclaim.ca.
Woods is from Toronto but has been working from Nashville lately. The folksy songwriter said in a statement, "I wanted to make a simple record with songs that allow a listener to get inside of them. I wanted every song to be completely accessible. I don't want to hide behind some grand artistic statement; I'm just trying to make folk songs that people will hum along and tap their foot to. I thought the title Don't Get Too Grand worked as a nice reminder to myself that simple is usually best."
We previously heard the sprightly but minimal acoustic cut "Put On, Cologne." Elsewhere, Don't Get Too Grand takes a darker tune on "Sask," while "Kennedy" is a quiet piano ballad and "You Don't Say" features abstract percussion and simmering distortion.
Soak it all in below.
Woods is from Toronto but has been working from Nashville lately. The folksy songwriter said in a statement, "I wanted to make a simple record with songs that allow a listener to get inside of them. I wanted every song to be completely accessible. I don't want to hide behind some grand artistic statement; I'm just trying to make folk songs that people will hum along and tap their foot to. I thought the title Don't Get Too Grand worked as a nice reminder to myself that simple is usually best."
We previously heard the sprightly but minimal acoustic cut "Put On, Cologne." Elsewhere, Don't Get Too Grand takes a darker tune on "Sask," while "Kennedy" is a quiet piano ballad and "You Don't Say" features abstract percussion and simmering distortion.
Soak it all in below.
