Adam Puddington

We don’t normally review records over six months old, I still listen to them, this one grabbed me and I thought I’d write a few words about it. His voice has the bruised caring quality that Damien Jurado has, a perfect voice for narrating misfortune, the songs also have the matter-of-fact devotional quality that DJ is able to impart, ‘The Banks’ takes all this, adds some flowing pedal steel to create a lovely river of song. There is more than this, instrumentals provide parenthesis, ‘Introduction’ has the plangent yet angular quality of David Pajo and ‘O’Connell’s Farewell to Galway’ is as it might suggest, more Celtic sounding, the acoustic guitar joined by the pedal steel to create a misty Irish atmosphere.

There is also resemblance to DJ’s ex label mate David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) ‘In My Bones’ is a similar style of muscular folk-pop, at once uplifting and weighty. The resemblance to the Pacific Northwesterners streaks through these songs like a layer of jam in a Victoria sponge and with the work of Bazan becoming increasingly inessential, you’d do well to tuck in to some Puddington.
- David Cowling, www.americana-uk.com

Published June 26, 2008.
Adam Puddington
Back in Town
(Hay Sale)
Although Adam Puddington is an Almonte, Ontario, guy, his latest release, Back in Town, could refer to the east coast. Produced by Dale Murray, recorded in Dartmouth, with featured performances by local talents such as Kinley Dowling, Dan Ledwell and former Guthries Ruth Minnikin, Serge Sampson [sic] and Brian Murray, it's clear that, musically, Puddington finds himself torn between two locations. Travel and longing for home works well as a theme here, as journey is a traditional theme in roots music, and young Puddington lays it on like an old-time train rider, with the occasional trip into 1950s do-wop and gang sing-alongs. Welcome him back on June 27 at Ginger's.
---Sue Carter Flinn - The Coast (Halifax's Weekly)

It's as simple as sliding up beside Adam Puddington on a barstool and waiting for the amicable stories to start. His warm personality and friendly smile make it easy to think he's telling the story - one told without exaggeration or concern - just for you. It's a quality that exudes from his songs and makes you want to listen.

"I think the first time I got drunk was when I was 6. I used to heat up apple juice with a cinnamon stick, and I accidentally grabbed the box of wine my folks had instead. I heated up three glass of wine and ended up getting wasted. I just thought it tasted different because I overheated it."


With a simple childhood story of drinks and a hint of deprecating humor, Puddington invited us into the conversation and continued with anecdotes and jokes like we'd known each other for years not minutes. So it makes perfect sense that his new record - Back in Town - is littered with songs about the heartache, hard nights and even harder mornings that we all can relate to. Roots music relies on desperation found in the bottom of a bottle or that flows through us with the last beat of a broken heart, and Puddington is able to set these emotions effortlessly. In a genre that has quickly become over saturated with new found drawls and steel guitar playing drunks, there is something real about his down and out, head in your hand at the end of the bar tracks like A Monday in a Month or Not The Only One.

But even with traditional tracks like Boomtown Blues and the presence of some of the Guthries (Serge Samson, Dale & Brian Murray, Ruth Minnikin for example), Back To Town isn't simply roots/folk record. Until you unwrap the plastic, you probably wouldn't expect a Rick Springfield-esque track like Don't Hold It Against Me to come from Puddington's pen, but the catchiness of the melody can't be denied. While this may seems like an odd inclusion, more remarkable than the melody is how he opts for the subtlety of strings and piano instead of a huge, cheesy chorus and keeps the song from feeling out of place.

In fact, the only constant elements on the record are Puddington's gruff voice and the trust he has in his friends. "After the last record, I really wanted to record this in a house. So we recorded in Dartmouth and instead of paying for studio time, I brought 4 20-litre boxes of wine and a huge cooler full of moose meat and venison. We just drank, played music and had feasts. It was all gone pretty quick. I actually thought it would be cheaper, but man, we ate and drank a lot and it was just as expensive, but a much better way to spend the money."

And I think the way he and Dale Murray recorded this effort is one of Back In Town's biggest strengths. Most of the tracks are recorded live off the floor, keeping the energy and spontaneity high and it plays more like a well orchestrated jam session amongst old friends. Whether it's the seamless duet with Kelly Sloan (Two to Tango), the Calexico-esque sounds of the mariachi fueled Let's Go Out Drinking, the 50's radio do wop of I Leave You Dreaming or how the AM radio, road trip stomper Secondhand Heart takes new life when a liberal organ solo creeps into the mix and continues to blossom when the terrific harmonies fill your headphones, Puddington's catalog holds many twists and turns.

And a lot of that probably has to do with the dichotomy that is Puddington's life. Splitting time between rural Ontario and the East coast, Puddington's influences are as broad the country he lives in. On the title track, he admits "I know who my friends are, now that I'm back in town" and the affect the East Coast has on Puddington is obvious. Despite living in Almonte retrieving peach baskets, Puddington clearly found himself musically in Halifax, and part of his heart stayed after he left. For every song he has about the pains of being alone (Looking For a Light or All I Have is Time - one of my favorite tracks on the record), he seems to balance it with memories of time with friends in the city and the joy of seeing the bright lights after that long, lonely drive.

In the end, you realize it's a process that goes beyond record sales and ticket sales, and although Adam's record could easily fit onto any roots fan's shelf, you wonder if it ever will. I'm not sure Adam realizes how easily he could make the jump to the next level, taking advantage of the huge rise in popularity of roots music, but I don't think he cares much about those kind of things. He's happier making that long drive from Almonte to Halifax to play new songs with his friends, enjoying boxes of wine and reminiscing of times that have long since faded into sepia tones. And to be completely honest, as long as that what pushes him musically, I'd like to think the rest will work itself out. - www.Herohill.com

Adam P's Growly Grace

Almonte songwriter Adam Puddington sounds like the scrappy descendant of all those hallmark songwriters - those who aim for a killer lyric and a mood that replicates the best, most memorable days with a voice that's at worst tolerable and at best subconscious-searing.

His third album, to be released this week, is called Back In Town and he's called in a chorus of musicians, from local boys The Brothers Chaffey to ex-members of Maritime band The Guthries, to kick up the mood.

"Most of my favourite singers are people who don't have complete confidence in their voices," he says, dropping Young, Waits, Westerberg et al into the conversation.

"I really like the way they deliver songs - and Leonard Cohen still says he can't sing. I prefer that to the other spectrum where you get people like Burton Cummings. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's a really good singer and you can tell sometimes."

Puddington's vocals are understated, tender and slightly growly, with shades of Fred Eaglesmith. His lyrics are full of shrugging optimism - of the "baby, all I have is time" variety, as he says in the kickoff track. Deft playing helps move the tunes along well. Clearly, Puddington knows that a voice alone can carry a country-rock disc, but good players take those songs to great places.

See Adam Puddington tomorrow at Irene's Pub, 885 Bank St., with The Brothers Chaffey and Brendan Flynn. 9p.m., $8.

-Fateema Sayani - The Ottawa Citizen

By David McPherson
April 05, 2006

Reminiscent of fellow contemporary collector of songs Jim Bryson and folkies of the past such as Gordon Lightfoot, Puddington is a former member of East coast alt-country group the Guthries (sic), where he was a musical mate of Matt Mays. While Mays has moved towards a louder garage rock assault with his band El Torpedo, the poetic Puddington continues to lean towards folk and Canadiana on his latest disc, offering a refreshing roots record. Filled with succinct and pleasing songwriting, For the Meantime is a captivating collection of 11 songs that grow on you with each subsequent listening session. Raised in rural Ontario, the songwriter now finds inspiration in the East coast; yet, both these locales play prominently as inspiration for his songs, which tell stories of Puddington’s restless journey. The most telling tale is “Deer in the Headlights” where he humbly states: “I have no notions of grandeur/ I’m provincial at best.” While Puddington doesn’t look for grandeur, the songs that make up this finely crafted collection are sure to give the folk singer wider acclaim. - Exclaim!

ADAM PUDDINGTON (4&1/2 stars)
For The Meantime... (Hay Sale)


stars Lightfoot, Danko, Puddington? Yes. Exceptional roots music (or is it canadianacana) is still finding it's way down from Canada and the long tradition continues with Adam Puddington Strong songs are his calling card, sung in a weathered voice with rootsy backup(including members of alt. country band the Guthries). Inspired by the rural , rainy east coast and recorded in Nova Scotia, Puddington's work belies that the song well hasn't run dry yet. Standout tracks include jangly opener” In My Bones”, the wistful “Standing Invitation” and a haunting “Deer in the Headlights”. Occasionally reminiscent of the roots pop of Blue Rodeo or rainy day sounds of Gordon Lightfoot, I find this evocative disc spending a lot of time in my cd player, well beyond the few “review listens” most cds warrant. It's the kind of music that gets in your bones, like a good story or a cold chill. - Michael Meehan

Canadian singer songwriter – sound familiar? He should be after this!

Starting with a simply sung lyric over an acoustic guitar the opening track of ‘Back in Town’ ‘All I have is time' builds to a marvellous Springsteenesque conclusion that signals both great intent and the ability to deliver on that promise.

‘Don’t hold it against me’ follows with a Cars like guitar cycle that takes in strings and tension as it works its way through a lyric dripping with self recrimination. Puddington’s voice is clear and strong and follows the spoken tenor of a Springsteen or a Zevon as the song climaxes in stately fashion.
‘Not the only one’ is the voice and guitar framed in a song of exquisite simplicity without sounding twee. ‘Two to Tango’ does what it says on the packet . A song about dancing.

Puddington has listened to his influences and taken the best of them and filtered them through an evidently intelligent song filter to produce this album. They’re all here, the aforementioned Bruce as well as Neil, Gordon Lightfoot and Tom Waits but they don’t intrude just sit by the wall nodding in time, appreciating the following of a tradition not a theft.

‘Draw the Drapes’ is joyous, ‘ Looking for a light’ is similarly so. Along with Chris Bathgate this is right up there at the forefront of modern Canadian songwriting.


Date review added: Saturday, September 06, 2008
Reviewer: keith lovejoy
Reviewers Rating: 8 out of 10 - www.americana-uk.com

The Euro Americana Chart is compiled by DJs, journalists, retailers, promotors and other people who are interested in Americana music from all over Europe. Every month they send in their favourite CD top 6. These are the ingredients for the chart.
Here is the Euro Americana Chart of September 2008 :

1. The Band of Heathens - The Band of Heathens

2. Emmylou Harris - All I Intended To Be

3. Dave Sutherland - On The Waiting List

4. Taneytown - East of Everything

5. The Sacred Shakers - The Sacred Shakers

6. Adam Caroll - Old Town Rock and Roll

7. Rachel Harrington - City of Refugee

8. Blue Mountain - Omnibus

9. Rodney Crowell - Sex & Gasoline

10. Blue Mountain - Midnight in Mississippi

11. The Roseline - Lust For Luster

12. Joe purdy - Take My Blanket & Go

13. Tim Grimm - Holding Up the World

14. Lynne Hanson - Eleven Months

15. Adam Puddington - Back in Town

16. Darrel Scott - Modern Hymns

17. Bart Oostindie - Welcome to the Costume ball

18. Miss Leslie - Between The Whiskey And The Wine

19. Christene Ledoux - Dust ‘n’ branches

20. Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows

21. Joseph Parsons - Heavens Above

22. Fleetfoxes - Fleetfoxes

23. Marybeth D’Amico - Heaven, Hell, Sin & Redemption

24. Loudon Wainwright III - Recovery

25. Randy Newman - Harps and angels

- www.euroamericanachart.nl

ADAM PUDDINGTON For The Meantime (Hay Sale) Rating: NNN

Raised among the bending rivers and deep forests of the Ottawa Valley, Adam Puddington is a nature boy to the core. His wheels-on-gravel songwriting exudes the restless spirit of a Canadian wanderer, singing of 'the roads I didn't know' on The Doors Will Open and odes to 'bridges, fields and lakes' on feel-good pub rocker St. Lawrence. Fortunately, For The Meantime isn't just a Group of Seven painting; there are actual stories intertwined with the lyrical landscapes. And although he's backed competently by cats from the Guthries, who add plenty of clean electric guitars and rolling drums, Puddington's songs sound born of a solitary man, his old reliable guitar and the still country night.
- Now Magazine JUNE 8 - 14, 2006 | VOL. 25 NO. 41- Jason Richards

4 stars

Combining excitement and honesty, this Canadian singer-songwriter bears the hallmarks of a unique and gifted talent.
It was in early 2007 that I first encountered Canadian Adam Puddington, when his second record FOR THE MEANTIME, landed in my CD player and made quite an impact. Now, after too long a wait, comes the equally impressive BACK IN TOWN.
Once again Puddington proves himself to be a songwriter of uncompromising ability. While his knack for lazy hooks and well-arranged country-rock provide his initial draws, it’s his way with words that makes the album memorable. His wheels-on-gravel songwriting exudes the restless spirit of a Canadian wanderer; a genuine troubadour, his songs born of a solitary manhis old reliable guitar and the still country night. His sound brings to mind an upbeat link between Gene Clark’s post-Byrds work and a more country-soul version of Jackson Browne.
Let’s Go Out Drinking brings to mind the Texas Tornados, with a world-weary casual swing driven by accordion. There’s more world-weariness on Secondhand Heart with pedal steel crying deep in the mix and even organ as Puddington cries in his beer with just a hint of optimism. He turns towards the blues with Boomtown Blues, his gravely voice fitting the lyrics like nature intended. Pedal steel is at the fore on the all-too-brief Looking For A Light and the closing title song is timeless country-rock. Though this album loosely fits the alt-country tag, and has even been called Canadiana, in reality Adam Puddington’s songs hold a coveted familiarity that sits at the core of the bext country music.
AC
- Maverick Magazine (U.K.) - Jan 2009, Issue 78