While Nova Scotia based singer/songwriter Dave Gunning has been picking up great press in Canada for his consistently excellent writing and performing, this new album ‘House for Sale’ looks like it will bring him much wider recognition – it’s full of well crafted songs and has an effortless folk/country feel that will engage listeners the world over.
Like many Canadian singer/songwriters, his work is a mixture of various North American styles, the intelligent lyrics and stories of the East Coast, mix with memorable melodies and there’s a subtle Country twang evident in places, it’s a strong mix that makes the album immediately accessible without sounding derivative.
Most of the 11 songs are based around Gunning’s acoustic guitar, and there’s a tight and compact band that provide the backing which includes bass, percussion, mandolin, dobro and Hammond.
Where the disc excels is in the quality of the writing – he paints pictures both with his lyrics and the arrangements, the title track is full of strong imagery that really adds to the feel of the song, ‘Hard Workin’ Hands’ has a genuine gritty and proud feel that shines through, and ‘These Roads’ is a classic singer/songwriter ‘road song’ that explores the writers’ relationship with constant travelling.
‘House for Sale’ is a really strong contemporary singer/songwriter album full of well crafted songs and instant melodies, and is an album that with the right breaks, and word of mouth will gain much wider recognition. Highly recommended.

Track listing
1 These Roads
2 Fade on the Line
3 House for Sale
4 Cowboy's Dream
5 Dust to Dust
6 Hard Workin' Hands
7 Colleen Malone
8 April Girl
9 Taking Turns
10 Twilight
11 Nothing But A Song

£13.49