The way forward isn’t always obvious. It’s a prevalent sentiment that’s being expressed everywhere right now, and by no one more loudly than the music industry. Joel Plaskett’s massive upcoming album, a quadruple-record consisting of 11 songs each and appropriately titled 44, of course, has a song for the occasion. On his latest single, Plaskett asks “If There’s Another Road,” which is exactly what we’d all like to know right now.
There’s a couple lines In the song that feel particularly poignant during this crisis: “I was in the other room, when January turned to June.” And maybe that’s a metaphor for how easily it is to become distracted and lose touch with the people we love and the world around, but it sure feels like we could double up with what COVID-19 has done to any enthusiasm we had for festival season this year.
Plaskett, mandolin in hand, meanders through the song; half reminiscing, half yearning, entirely adrift in a fog of uncertainty.
“‘If There’s Another Road’ is one of my favorites from the project,” says Plaskett. “It’s mood seemed to thematically sum up the third record in the set so it became the title track. It was the first song I wrote on an old, 1930’s mandolin. We tracked it at Memphis Magnetic Recording in April 2019 on a session put together by Doug Easley, who recorded Thrush Hermit’s Sweet Homewrecker back in 1996. Doug and George Sluppick were the laid back rhythm section and Rick Steff played some beautiful piano. Dave Shouse, whose work with The Grifters and Those Bastard Souls have influenced me considerably, added some great tension on Hammond organ to the last part of the song. The chorus’ powerful backing vocals by Reeny, Mahalia and Micah Smith were later tracked at my New Scotland Yard studio with three of them around one mic. They really lifted the song to a higher place.”
Shot by Charlie Benoit and edited by Jeff Miller, the video for “If There’s Another Road” features a familiar winter scene: an ice-crusted street; the kind you try to avoid if you can find a way around it.
Unfortunately, that’s a metaphor that Plaskett’s upcoming tour was unable to navigate. Much like everything else these days, Plaskett’s 44 tour with The Emergency and Mo Kenney has been rescheduled to the fall.
“Like most of us, I am shaken and deeply concerned by the crisis unfolding around the planet. As a performing musician, the exchange of energy at live shows has forged a connection with my audience and my fellow musicians. Touring for 25 years has introduced me to the beauty and diversity of Canada and other parts of the world. We are now facing the reality that we won’t be able to congregate in person for a while but this shouldn’t stop us from creating and connecting with each other in the ways we can. Despite the tour being rescheduled to the fall (with many fingers crossed!), 44 will still be released on April 17th. This physical separation we face is immensely challenging but we remain connected in ways we cannot see or touch. Music has, and always will be, a meaningful part of that invisible connection.”
Joel Plaskett’s release of 44 has been scheduled for April 17, 2020, the day before his 45th birthday which, presumably, he hasn’t had to reschedule.
Tour Dates:
10.22.20 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
10.23.20 – Kingston, ON @ Grand Theatre
10.24.20 – Ottawa, ON @ National Arts Centre
10.26.20 – London, ON @ Aeolian Hall
10.29.20 – London, ON @ Aeolian Hall
10.30.20 – Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
11.05.20 – Campbell River BC @ Tidemark Theatre
11.07.20 – Victoria,BC @ Capital Ballroom
11.08.20 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11.10.20 – Calgary, AB @ Bella Concert Hall
11.11.20 – Calgary, AB @ Bella Concert Hall
11.12.20 – Edmonton, AB @ Myer Horowitz Theatre
11.13.20 – Saskatoon, SK @ Knox Church
11.14.20 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange
11.16.20 – Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre
All tickets will be honoured for the new shows and refunds are also available at point of purchase.