Sad Eyes
Mike Campbell
Independent
2000
14 tracks
It's a grey rainy day in my part of Canada and, immersed in the resonance of Mike Campbell's voice, I'm thinking how ideal this music is for rainy day listening. Campbell has a deep rich voice that brings me back to artists like Paul Robeson or Ivan Rebroff. The voice is full and bright and, even in the saddest of songs, reflects an inner joy. The songs are stories, not so much folk as the stuff of light opera or the music theatre. Like his singing, Campbell's writing is clear, interesting, and to the point.
Campbell's lyrics, on a variety of very human themes, are as interesting to read as they are to hear. The stories have the universal appeal of a good country song and humour that ranges from Robert W. Service to the sort of folksy American popular humour we've hardly heard since the Fifties. The musical presentation only serves to enhance the already well-written stories.
The song that is perhaps best, both in writing and performance, is not so funny. "William Wallace" is a slice of Scottish history retold by Campbell in a very authentic sounding folk style. Mournfully told, this is the life story of a man and a nation, and a moving tribute to both. This song is extremely well crafted and performed. It deserves to be more widely heard.
"Little Jim" is one of several songs on this release that bring to mind the writing and humour of Canadian folk icon Stan Rogers. A tall tale of a drunk caught in a hurricane, this song is a rollicking ride that can't help but brighten the listener's day at least a little bit. It's not hard to imagine it set to a Pecos Bill style music video.
"Feeling Like A Rock" especially evokes Rebroff. It's a richly metaphorical song with the sort of dark centre one might expect in a Russian song. Campbell's vocal is deep and heartfelt, a combination of emotion and sound that bring the song much more power than it might otherwise have. The effect is powerful.
"Traveling Marilyn" is a bittersweet love song about a woman whose adventures take her around the world and about the man who waits at home. Throughout there's a playful sense of fun. It has a bright almost Caribbean feeling. What a great song to begin the set.
Perhaps the funniest song on this release tells the story of a cowboy's luck in Arizona. This is what Service would have written if he'd been an American. The longish lyric is a hoot to read and Campbell's presentation, complete with some very bad accents, is hilarious. This is one of the songs that make Sad Eyes a definite must listen.
"Rainy Day Blues" brings empathy to my feelings on this grey and rainy day in Ontario. The story of a man working away from home in a cold and rainy climate and of his longing to be home, this song should resonate with many listeners. Counter to the perhaps dismal images of the lyric, the music has a bright Jimmy Buffett country sound.
Along the same lines, "Sailor's Lament" comes across as much more mournful. Moving at the slow march of an Irish dirge, this song of life "on the cold, cold sea" could as easily be a letter to a far away lover or a prayer to God. There's balance and structure here and a certain ambiguity, all of which stand the song in good stead.
With music ranging through folk, country, popular theatre and other styles, Sad Eyes is an interesting mix of well-written story songs performed with just the right level of drama by a man with a powerful voice. I recommend adding it to your collection to save for a rainy day.
Those interested in learning more about this Alaskan songwriter and singer can find it on the Mike Campbell website.
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