Ontario band Great Lake Swimmers are a collective of talented musicians that have been playing around Europe recently in promotion of their latest album, Uncertain Country. It is their sixth official release since forming back in 2003 when Tony Dekker released his fledgling songs to the public on the debut album. It’s now 20 years later and the band make a very welcome return to Ireland after a long absence. Dekker is a very open, self-effacing Canadian and speaks of his joy at being out on the road again after Covid lockdown and in a place where he can enjoy the privilege of playing live.
During the course of this excellent show the band visit all six of their previous releases across a 16-song set. Emphasis is naturally focused on the new release and seven songs are featured including Uncertain Country, Am I Floating In the Air, Riverine, Swimming Like Flying, Flight Paths, Moonlight Stay Above and When the Storm Has Passed. Their sound is filled with lovely melodies that form a rich tapestry as the musicians intertwine with each other in the performance. The players have a very intuitive understanding collectively and the individual contributions are always in the service of the songs with very few solos included in the arrangements. The layered tones are lovely and compliment the sensitive vocal delivery of Dekker as he sings of our place in the great scheme of things and the joys of nature that surround us every day. Having grown up in rural Canada, Dekker is very sensitive to the beauty in nature that so many ignore in our busy daily lives. He celebrates the wonder and the sense of being a small part of a greater mystery.
The band comprises Tony Dekker (acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals), Erik Arnesen (upright, electric bass), Kelsey McNulty (keyboards, vocals), Bret Higgins (electric guitars) and Ryan Granville-Martin (drums, percussion, vocals). Apart from sincere chat from Dekker regarding the songs and the band, the only other member who speaks is drummer Granville-Martin who confirms that upon arrival in Dublin he drank four pints of Guinness and then slept on the dressing room couch to recover his faculties. Whether this is tongue-in-cheek parody or not is of no real consequence but it does draw a collective laugh from the packed audience who are in attendance to soak up the superbly crafted music.
Other song highlights on the night included Your Rocky Spine, Everything Is Moving So Fast, Moving Pictures, Silent Films (solo performance from Dekker) and Put There By the Land. The crowd loved it all and the rhythm section of Arneson and Granville-Martin were sublimely understated throughout, providing the pulse of the performance and always staying right in the pocket of the playing. Guitarist Bret Higgins is very effective at providing sound dynamics from his pedal board of effects and he delivers some lyrical playing while the keyboard layers and sonic sounds created by the impressive Kelsey McNulty bring added colour and texture to the music. No doubting the quality of talent on display and the compelling performance is one that will stay long in the memories of those who were present to witness it all. The Great Lake Swimmers are guaranteed a warm welcome in Dublin anytime they choose to return.
Review by Paul McGee. Photographs by Declan Culliton