Maybe it is my childhood fascination with all things nautical or a gentle celebration of Canadian Culture that brings me to Stan Rogers, They are certainly abundant themes in his music. Rogers' songwriting is some of the finest in folk. With songs that reflect history of the working people of Canada from East to West coast. His jangling 12-string and strong voice are distictive. Much like Gordon Lightfoot; I don't think that Stan Rogers makes it south of the border often enough. Understandable in that his music is rife with references to Canadian lore that may not come across for everyone. This album is actually a live compilation. Something that I often hesitate to choose for listening or recommendation. However, there is a particular beauty and closeness to this recording that I love.

This is pure folk with astounding imagery and storytelling. The songs come from his recorded albums and form a lovely mix. All the tracks filled with his lovely voice, gentle finger-picked guitar, and gorgeous fiddle playing. "Bluenose" evokes imagery of the racing ship of the same name. Famous enough to be put on the Canadian dime and taught across the country; It feels like striking commemoration of something that lives in Canadian history so strongly. "Field Behind the Plow" heads the other direction to talk about the realities of hard prairie farming. "The Idiot" has a great thumping beat and a jaunty story about leaving home to work where the work is at. Even if it means leaving the home you loved. "Lies" pulls me in every time. A beautiful little love song. "Free in the Harbour" is gorgeous if not a little sad. A story of how economics changed the small harbour towns and those in them forever. "Working Joe" is a cry out against busy life. The desire to just sit down with a cup of coffee and whittle away the hours. "Mary Ellen Carter" is a powerful story about never giving up. "Barrett's Privateers" is a fantastic thumping sea shanty. Then we wrap up with the quiet "Sailor's Rest." A pretty song about senior sailors living out the end of their lives on land.

I had the pleasure of being introduced to this album and Stan Rogers in general while at college. I have fond memories of late nights spent with others and these songs. Equally good staring out at a sea of water or grain. Suitable for happy or sad times. I hope this ambum could help you to march onward. To take a moment to see the great Canadian folk tradition. If you leave with anything, perhaps leave with the refrain from "Mary Ellen Carter." "Rise again, Rise again ... like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again."