JOHN BORRA / Blue Wine
RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 2020 / Cousin Jeb Records
Blue Wine is
Toronto scene legend John Borra’s first solo album since 2002, after
three albums with his band Rattlesnake Choir, and it finds him at the
peak of his writing and performing powers. On one hand, it’s exactly the
kind of album you’d expect from one of the most influential figures
within Toronto’s roots rock scene – raw, melodic, and bursting with
heart and soul. On the other hand, Blue Wine displays maturity and lyrical sophistication only an artist as experienced as Borra could convey.
In that spirit, Borra put together a top-notch band for Blue Wine anchored
around Blue Rodeo keyboardist Mike Boguski, longtime collaborator Sam
Ferrara and drummers Glenn Milchem, Cleave Anderson, Dani Nash and Tim
Timlek. As well, Borra collaborated with award-winning poet Eva H.D. on
three songs: “Machu Picchu,” “The Wars” and “Hambre And Dolores.” While
these were the most recently written songs on Blue Wine, they perfectly
complement Borra’s own standout compositions, along with a cover of the
Velvet Underground’s “Foggy Notion,” featuring Barenaked Ladies’ Kevin
Hearn, who also served as Lou Reed’s bandleader.