The Lagniappe Sessions :: Calvin Love

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Lagniappe (la ·gniappe) noun ‘lan-ˌyap,’ — 1. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. 2. Something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus.

The record is entitled Super Future — Calvin Love’s follow-up to 2012’s New Radar. Like Radar — a record whose focused, slender arrangements were populated by thin guitars, electronic drums, and vintage synthesizers — the new lp bathes in gauzy, electro-pop psychedelia. Only bigger / multidimensional.

Much like his own muse, Love’s selections for this week’s installment of the Lagniappe Sessions (save the Greenhorns’ cover) retro-fit the past; an alchemy that repurposes the 70s folk-rock of fellow Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot, and pays tribute to the re-discovered bedroom pop duo Donnie & Joe Emerson. The artist, in his own words, below . . .
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Calvin Love :: There Is An End (The Greenhorns, ft. Holly Golightly)

I first heard this song via the Broken Flowers soundtrack, and was instantly gripped by the guitar hook and vocal melody. I think the songwriting and lyrics are beautiful. I recorded this track with two of my bandmates one afternoon — Kyle McCrea on the Twang reverb guitar & Andrew Heule on the drums. I played the bass, added a few guitar parts through out the verses, and had a blast singing it.

Calvin Love :: Since You Been With Me (Donnie & Joe Emerson)

Donnie & Joe Emerson’s record Still Dreamin Wild is a fine piece of magic. When I heard this track, it put me in a reflective state. I liked the repetitive bass and drum parts and the dark vibe it carries, and I’m a sucker for 80s synth drum machine stuff. While recording it I kept to the basic structure of the original, But then added my own guitar parts.

Calvin Love :: In The Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)

This is one of my all-time favourite songs, I had the pleasure to catch Gordon Lightfoot in concert a few months ago in Toronto at Massey Hall. He is so beautiful, he was up there singing his soul out. At 80 years old. I wanted to cover this song and sing and play it the best I could. I recorded it on a rainy day, with a Tascam 4-track cassette — one mic for guitar and one mic for vocals. I couldn’t change anything about this song. Its more of a tribute to the man and the songwriter. Big love, Gordon.

Lagniappe Sessions Archives / imagery via d norsen.

3 thoughts on “The Lagniappe Sessions :: Calvin Love

  1. He is so beautiful, he was up there singing his soul out. At 80 years old.

    Not quite 80 (until November 2018). But the point is well taken.

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