Corin Raymond & the Sundowners

Hardworking roots troubadour Corin Raymond's previous album was entitled There Will Always Be A Small Time. There isn't anything small-time about this record; he's scored major publicity with the news that it was funded by the donation of Canadian Tire money (31,081 bills!) from fans and friends, and he jokes that this is "Canada's first million-dollar folk record." Call it money very well spent; it's a 20-song double album recorded at Toronto club the Tranzac, and it finds Raymond and his ace band (roots faves David Baxter, Trease Levasseur and Brian Kobayakawa) in top form. An excellent songwriter, as demonstrated by his four strong originals here, Raymond is committed to promoting largely unsung Canadian tunesmiths by covering their work. He does justice to tracks by the likes of his American pal Jonathan Byrd, John Borra, Andrew Neville, Scott Nolan, Doug Norquay and Shawn Jonnason, as well as singing their praises both in his witty, charming and extensive between song patter and in the lavish 144-page book that comes with the package. Raymond has a robust and convincingly honest vocal style perfect for delivering these eloquent songs. Canadian Tire can be proud of its part in this inventive and highly worthwhile project.