The Juno Award nominees were announced today and there was little joy for the roots folks this year. In the ‘big’ categories, not a wiff of roots amongst the populist material that keeps the industry afloat.
Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo- the nominees are
Amelia Curran- Spectators
Annabelle Chvostek- Rise
Corb Lund- Cabin Fever
Old Man Luedecke- Tender is the Night
Rose Cousins- We Have Made A Spark
Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Group- the nominees are
Elliott Brood- Days Into Years
Great Lake Swimmers- New Wild Everywhere
Le Vent du Nord- Tromper le temps
The Strumbellas- My Father and the Hunter
The Wooden Sky- Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon A Sun
I haven’t heard all of these albums, and will endeavor to correct that, but as it stands today, if I had a Juno ballot- and I don’t- I would put a ticky tick beside Corb Lund’s name and the Great Lake Swimmers. New Wild Everywhere was prominent on my Polaris 2012 ballot- as was The Wooden Sky and Rose Cousins, for that matter- but I give the edge to Great Lake Swimmers as it is a more listenable, more engaging and far-reaching album, I believe. At the same time, I sure wouldn’t be upset to see The Wooden Sky walk away with the prize.
To be fair, Corb Lund’s Cabin Fever is every bit a group album as anything in the other category. Still, it is placed where it is and would be a deserving winner. I’ll be advocating Cabin Fever for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.
All nominees are listed at the Juno Page and the ceremony is April 21 in Regina.
Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald
Donald Teplyske
Hi Donald, This is the first time I have heard of the Polaris Music Prize. Dru