The Record
Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge
February 2, 2002
by Robert Reid

Garnet Rogers has always been leery of the folksinger label. Nonetheless, his ninth offering, Firefly, is folk music for the new millennium.

Despite its musical innovation, the album is solidly grounded in the folk tradition. The Painted Pony, one of 10 tracks, is as fine a ballad as has been written by a contemporary songwriter, whether Eric Bogle, Dougie McLean, Archie Fisher, Christy Moore, Ralph McTell or anyone else. Listeners can be forgiven for assuming it was written by an unknown Irish, Scots or English balladeer in the distant past.

As for the other songs, Rogers has not produced an album of such unified and consistent brilliance, beginning with the high quality of songwriting. I listened to Firefly a few times in the car and I was impressed. However, when I listened to the songs while reading the lyrics, I was rendered speechless.

The songs are more than eloquent words set to memorable music. They are songs of deep feeling as loss and despair make way for love, hope and salvation. Better Days, Who Could Have Known? and Firefly resonate with hard-won emotional honesty.

The production (the album was recorded at Scott Merritt s studio in Guelph) seems near perfect in terms of the contribution of guest musicians. The trumpet, the organ, the mandolin, the accordion and Irish pipes add subtle flourishes that complement Rogers own considerable musicianship (guitars, cellos, flutes and violin, in addition to viola, cello and glockenspiel).

Ever so often in life everything that matters comes together as if preordained. A gift if you will. Firefly is an expression of such a gift.