Jerry Leger - You, Me and the Horse (2008)

By Kerry Doole
At just 23, Toronto singer-songwriter Jerry Leger has already earned the admiration of some illustrious senior peers. Ron Sexsmith played piano on Leger's sophomore disc, Farewell Ghost Town, and calls him "one of the best songwriters I've heard in quite some time," while Josh Finlayson of the Skydiggers was impressed enough to co-produce this album (with Sexsmith guitarist Tim Bovaconti). The result is certainly strong enough to vindicate their support. Leger has one of those openhearted and unaffected voices that you instantly trust. He names Hank Williams and Bob Dylan as his key influences, while Steve Forbert is another possible reference point. His songs sound more Bob than Hank, leaning more to the folk than country side, though Hank would surely approve of "Half Asleep And Drunk." The two co-producers add fluent guitar, mandolin and banjo but the sparse sound is primarily built around Leger's acoustic guitar, piano and harmonica work. This proves a suitable setting for songs rich with poetic imagery and character-driven stories like "Mansion Round The Bend" and "Daddy's Lantern." There's a sweet tenderness to "Drive Away Tonight" and an appealing sense of mischief to "My Little Crook," while the nomadic and restless feel of many of the songs is reflected in the album title. Clearly he is an artist to watch.