Better Days
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 03/17/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Terry Tufts' CD came to my attention via a review in Dirty Linen. Tufts boasts an excellent voice. On the tiny Canadian Borealis label, this is a good effort. As a songwriter, Tufts at times wears his heart on his sleeve with straightforward lyrics as on "Dirty Little War," "Though we may not see eye to eye or ever know the reasons why, manners & respect apply." The title track is one of the strongest with an excellent melody as Terry expressively sings a reflection looking back on a life well lived, "There's so many miles before you, so little time to spare; There's a grace here that implores you & redemption if you dare; You can't let fear or worry slow you down along the way; There is only life before you; There are only better days." Tufts throws in an instrumental track, "Pursuant to My Nature," and asks us to "think James Taylor via Pat Metheny." It's actually a pleasing track, similar to James Taylor's "Benjamin" from his 2-disc version of "October Road." Tufts goes from no words to the spare arrangement on the traditional "Awake Ye Drowsie Sleeper." Jesse Winchester joins on background vocals on "Black Velvet Elvis" with Tufts' voice in excellent form, "Regret is something time cannot allow; You gotta live right." Terry strikes a light jazz groove on the charming "That Was You. This Was Me." "Fly Away" is an anthem to positive thinking that puts listeners in a good humor, "While the sun is shining, let's make it pay; Call up that spirit from deep down inside & let's fly away." "Idyll" is the second instrumental on the disc with a lively interweaving of guitar picking & keyboard tinkling. Tufts covers the Isley Brothers' "I Got Work to Do" and explores the top of his register, often successfully. Terry writes about his ecological concerns in the CD packaging and reflects the theme in the concluding track "Open Letter to the Earth." It's a pretty folk song with a distinctive melody and passionate vocals by TT, "I am sorry & ashamed, traded profit for the fair mother's kiss & you've paid dearly in exchange." "The Better Fight" is a good collection of very strong folk-flavored tracks. Enjoy!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1