When I Say I Do
Cyril MacPhee
Brakin' Tradition
1998
13 tracks

Given the preponderance of releases by singer/songwriters in recent years, it is a rare treat to listen to a singer who is instead a polished interpreter of the songs of others. Only four of the songs on When I Say I Do are credited to Cyril MacPhee. The rest range from the traditional ["Geordie"] through songs by a variety of Canadian writers to Lennon and MacCartney's gentle ballad, "I Will." Yet, each song bears the individual stamp of Cyril MacPhee's interpretation.

To narrowly define MacPhee's sound as folk, in the contemporary sense, would do it an injustice. While maintaining a certain unity, the music here moves beyond simply folk, slipping beyond that line to embrace any of several genres, depending on the needs of each particular song. The effect is an interesting blend of homogeneity and sometimes surprising variety.

Much of the music here brings memories of the sort of country-folk epitomized by such artists as Gordon Lightfoot, George Hamilton IV, and John Hartford some three decades ago. Other songs, while retaining a folk sound, lean toward pop in the same way as did many of the ballads sung by Roger Whittaker and Harry Belafonte. At times, MacPhee's voice takes on the gentleness of a Peter Yarrow or the near-rock of Bob Lind. Hearing such variety on one CD is a welcome change from singer/songwriter albums where all the songs sound about the same.

One song which stands out as especially well interpreted is "Angelina's Wish," a very touching if melancholy view of the relationship between a father and his young daughter. One would swear this was MacPhee reflecting on events involving his own daughter. A look at the credits reveals the song was not written by MacPhee at all but by Wayne Touesnard and Arnold Sampson.

While the core of Cyril MacPhee's music resides solidly in the folk and traditional realms, his versatile and even eclectic approach to the music provides crossover potential to any genre in which the ballad is an accepted form. Look for songs from this release to show up in just about any radio format except hard rock and classical.

Those interested in hearing a solid interpreter of contemporary Canadian folk music will find When I Say I Do an edifying and entertaining listen. It's well worth adding to any home CD collection.

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Review Written: May 26, 1999
Page Last modified: February 14, 2004

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