Anyone who’s witnessed a Matt Andersen show will know he’s a powerhouse of the blues, often raising the roof of the venue where he’s performing to the delight of his adoring fans. Regular listeners will also know that there’s a tender side to the affable bluesman and his latest album, ‘The Hammer & The Rose’ showcases that gentle nature with warmth and tenderness.
After seeing one of the shows Andersen played on tour supporting his grand, ecstatic JUNO-nominated 2023 album ‘The Big Bottle of Joy’, producer and percussionist Joshua Van Tassel took him aside to express how much he loved the quieter moments of the set. Inspired by those times when the wildness settled down and he could hear, even clearer, the timbre and texture of Andersen’s voice, Van Tassel suggested cutting a record that maintained that low-key spirit.
Andersen got to writing with that in mind, and it was the same chill vibe the team fostered for the sessions that would eventually go down in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where Christine Bougie (lap steel), Aaron Comeau (keys), Kyle Cunjak (acoustic bass), and Afie Jurvanen (acoustic guitar) gathered with Andersen to lay the tracks down live off-the-floor with Van Tassel behind both the boards and the drums.
Opening the album with ‘The Hammer & The Rose’, Andersen’s lyrics explore the ups and downs of relationships where the heart and the head often contradict each other. Exploring relationships further with ‘Tonight Belongs to You’, Andersen admits his failings with openness and honesty.
‘The Cobbler (Good For My Sole)’, veers into funky swing territory with some wonderful keyboards underpinning the infectious beat. The moody up-tempo ‘Wayaheadaya’ hits out at back stabbing and negativity that’s often delivered in life by others. Rounding out the album with ‘Always be Your Son’, Anderson delivers a thoughtful and heartfelt tribute to his Father that acknowledges love and growing pains in equal measure.
Musically, ‘The Hammer & The Rose’ delivers some of Matt Andersen’s most subtle and expressive songs to date. His song writing shows a new level of maturity and understanding of the human condition and his backing musicians compliment his thoughtful lyrics through magical arrangements.
Matt Andersen’s name and music have always been associated with quality and excellence and once again he’s outdone himself with this beautiful body of work.