Many Canadian music fans know Joel Plaskett. Multiple JUNO Award winning songwriter. Multiple times on the Polaris Music Prize Short List.  Sold out clubs and concert halls from one side of the country to the other.But in 2017 he’ll be sharing the spotlight with his earliest musical influence- his father, Bill.

Solidarity, to be released on the Pheromone label in February is the first full-length musical collaboration between father and son and will be followed by a cross-country tour in the spring.

The album is a powerful collection of original and traditional songs, reflecting the duo’s individual journeys and personal politics.  The 11 songs on Solidarity are varied and personal, yet expressive of interconnecting themes.

Folk-based political songs like “We Have Fed You All for a Thousand Years,”and “Jim Jones” sit side by side with contemplative love songs (“No Sight Compares” and “New California”), a touch of rockabilly country blues (Help Me Somebody Depression Blues) and more fully arranged folk rock songs of contemporary social commentary (“Blank Cheque” and “The Next Blue Sky”).

 

Solidarity is a surprising and unique album, full of strong guitar playing and thoughtful, accessible songs.   An excellent addition to the Plaskett catalogue and hopefully the first of many for the Plasketts.