Jeff Straker - Vagabond CD

I'm very pleased add to my blog entries a brand new CD by Canadian Jeff Straker. His albums are always an event with me, and the new one is called "Vagabond." This album, like a lot of his, seem to be complete works of art, so it almost seems wrong to just pick single songs to hear, but you can hear a bunch of them on his site. The ones that stick out for me so far are "Birchbark Canoe" and "Botanic Garden."

Jeff Straker Website

Jeff Straker on Facebook

And, I confess, I've been a fan of his music since 2006, when he released "Songs from Highway 15." I got to interview him in 2010 when "Step Right Up" came out. That was the one that really solidified my fandom. He told me at the time that CD got a lot of comparisons to early Elton John meets Rufus Wainwright, with a dash of Mika. Well, I think in that CD's case, more than a dash...there's a bunch of theatrical pop on it, with infectious energy and fun. But I don't mean to slight 2011's "Under the Soles of My Shoes." I saw him sing just a few songs in a showcase in 2006, so I know I would love to see a whole concert. Next time he gets down from Canada I sure hope he comes my way.

 

Above, Jeff & me, 2006, NYC