Search - Connie Kaldor :: Sky With Nothing to Get in the Way

A collection of Kaldor's most passionate lyrics to date

Peter S | Long Island, NY United States | 07/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"    When "Love Is A Truck" was released in 2000, it was described as a sort of theme album -- the constant being the many expressions of love, but not the kind in which "you're either madly in love, or they dumped you", as Connie has said in the past.

    After forty-some-odd years of life experience, writing, a decade of marriage and children, Connie presented with "Truck" what you might call the further adventures of love -- after the 'happily ever after' of a first romance in which you might hear songs about on popular radio. "Truck" illustrated why love's complexities might 'run you down' over time, the hits and misses of finding mates, the uncertainty of whether one is drifting away from you, and that love, no matter how genuine, can be a one-way street.

    Don't despair, though. There's the upside too when you do find the right person, and how they can be a lifeline through tough times. It's obvious from her music that Connie's success in marriage stems from having past experiences to reference and knowing when the the special person felt right. I don't think you'll ever see her write a song called "Love At First Sight."

    Having said all that, I believe that Connie's latest release, "Sky With Nothing To Get In The Way", is the true 'love-themed' album, or at the very least 'volume two' of the set along with "Truck". This new CD to me is easily the most passionate creation of hers to date.

    While there are a few new wrinkles in the playlist, Connie's recognizable style of straightforward, honest lyrics comes through reliably, and with a deeper sense of love, joy and despair.

    In her usual contradictory style, Connie begins the album with a song about ending. "Pieces Of Your Heart" is a tale of a spouse separating from their family. The video to be created for it should air on Canada's CMT sometime this summer.

    With the exception of "Small Town Saturday Night" and "Sweet Old Heartache" -- probably the most shameless songs since 1996's "Get Lucky", but both still a hoot -- the songs on "Sky" carry on that theme of life and love from the more experienced perspective. "Time Is Now" is and ode to being ready to open our hearts to the world again. "Never Run Out Of Love" is an upbeat song celebrating romance, yet conveys that worry in the back of our minds that it could all end in an instant. Then there's the maternal love that emanates from "That's What Mothers Do", a parent's wish for their children. It is tender, but not smothering. It's a song even the most sensitive child wouldn't be embarrassed having their mother sing to them!

    There's also a very slight dark streak within the album through "Troubles Fall Like Rain" and the powerful "What Does It Take?", a song about how life can rob some of their strength to the point of hopelessness. I would have preferred to hear this song before "Time Is Now" in the playlist order as a reminder that no matter how dark things seem, love and hope are deep down inside all of us. Oh well, you can always program your CD player.

    The most intriguing song origin belongs to the title track. "Sky With Nothing To Get In The Way" was inspired by two sources. One is a canvas painting in Connie's living room of her beloved Canadian Prairies created by the accomplished artist Ingrid Kaldor, her mother. She also designed and created the album covers for "Gentle Of Heart" and "Wood River." The other source was an instrumental piece her husband and co-producer, Paul Campagne already had entitled "The Cypress Hills Waltz", referring to the area in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. Connie added lyrics, and the result is a fitting tribute to the province's centennial.

    As I mentioned before, there are some new wrinkles that should intrigue fans. For the first time, Connie employed a string quartet to accompany some of her songs, including "Time Is Now" and "Sky." "Never Run Out Of Love" is played almost as a rhumba, while "I'm Gonna Love You" is Connie flat out doing an R&B / gospel number. Also, returning the favor for Connie's assistance on "From Where I Stand", April Verch appears on a CK album for the first time, seamlessly adding her fiddling prowess to the toe-tapping "Rickety Old Railroad Track" -- a sort of sequel to "Wanderlust."

Besides Verch, guest musicians include co-producer Davy Gallant, Paul and Michelle Campagne, Gilles Tessier, Bill Gossage, Guy Dubuc, Marc Lessard, Michel Dupire, Marie-Christine De Pestre, Todd Gorr, and a cast of thousands in the "Small Town Saturday Night" Chorus, including the artist perpetually known as 'Clank.'

While I do have my favorite tracks and highly recommend the album, it will take some time for me to fully appreciate it -- to let it grow on me. But that's kind of the the point of Connie's music. Her songs are not hit singles with anything sexy or gimmicky to hook listeners immediately. She writes her songs to make them last. There are songs that will resonate with you now, and the others might mean a whole lot more later on.

You may not play "Sky" four times in a row, but you'll certainly want this fine album on hand at all times.



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