Cris Cuddy

"They Don't Make Them Like That Anymore" is the title of one of the songs on this album by Ontario country songsmith Cris Cuddy (no relation to Jim, apparently). You could almost say that about this record, as it's a faithfully old-school country album happily devoid of contemporary trappings. Cuddy's fourth album is acoustic-based and free of drums, placing the focus squarely on his voice and songs. Both hold up to the scrutiny, possessing the honesty and integrity required by the genre. The title track in part pays tribute to Merle Haggard and "They Don't Make Like That Anymore" is dedicated to Hank Cochran and Mickey Newbury, showing that Cuddy has a sense of history about his chosen style. He has assembled an A-list band, featuring Keith Glass (Prairie Oyster) and Dennis Pendrith (Bruce Cockburn), plus guests Emory Lester, Bob Taillefer, Cam MacInnis and other Oyster-ites Dennis Keldie and John P. Allen. Pedal steel, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and accordion are all used judiciously to flesh out the sound. Cuddy sparkled on 2011's Diamond Shine, and this is an equally worthy effort. Kudos for including a dedication to Levon Helm.