Hurtin’ for Certain
Luther Wright & The Wrongs
Independent/Snake Eye Muzak
1997
11 tracks
Sometime in prehistory, I owned an eight-track tape by Michael Nesmith with about 20 songs on it. Michael Nesmith, for those too young to remember, was the goofy guy in the Monkees who always wore a toque (well, okay, so did Peter Tork). Nesmith is also a very fine songwriter who wrote many hits for the Monkees and other artists, including Linda Ronstadt’s first hit. When performing his own songs with his own band, this young Texan had a very personal, even quirky country style. I have always regretted that I did not keep that tape, or at least copy it to a cassette. What has all this to do with Luther Wright & The Wrongs?
Like Michael Nesmith, Luther Wright is a skilled songsmith. Building his melodies around traditional country music formulas, Wright manages never to sound derivative or hokey. His lyrics are clever and innovative, telling their stories in a simple yet never simplistic style that utilizes twists in language without ever sounding like the writer is trying to be clever. Like Nesmith, Ian Tyson, Gordon Lightfoot, Eric Bogle and others, Wright belongs to a tradition of storytellers who are at once literate yet able speak to that within us which seeks the simple story.
Musically,Hurtin’ for Certain is a delight. This is folk music in the tradition that used to be called "western music" a couple of decades ago, yet it has a vitality that is sure to appeal to today’s "roots music" audience. Wrights distinctive arrangements and his unique singing style are very reminiscent of Nesmith’s early work. In fact, there is enough of a twang implied in many of the songs that one might expect Wright to speak with the accent of Nesmith’s Texas. In fact, this Kingston musician speaks with a clearly Canadian accent.
Wright’s lyrics too, like those of Tyson and Lightfoot, are redolent of Canada, reflecting life in Canada, especially on the streets, even when making reference to such distant destinations as Oaxaca and Orlando.
To play on Hurtin’ for Certain, Wright has assembled some of the finest musicians Kingston has to offer. Besides himself, from Weeping Tile there are Sarah Harmer, perhaps the finest singer to come out of Kingston, and drummer Cam Giroux. Fiddler Brian Flynn comes most recently from The Fencesitters. Guitarist Dan Curtis, who also created the cover art for this CD, has been in too many bands to list here. Bassist Sean Kelly... well, the list of talented players goes on and on.
Bands may come and go, but as an artist Luther Wright is worth keeping an eye on. And Hurtin’ for Certain is well worth owning and listening to. If you’ve ever owned and lost a Michael Nesmith tape, Hurtin’ for Certain may even help to ease the pain.
Those interested in more information on Luther Wright & The Wrongs and their new CD Hurtin’ for Certain may write to them c/o 41 Copperfield Drive, Kingston, Ontario K7M 1M3 or telephone (613) 545-1345.
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Review written: 1997
Last modified: February 14, 2004
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