Spirit of the West

Although based in Vancouver, Spirit of the West went far afield to record Weights & Measures, its fifth Warner release. Off to the green pastures of Devon, UK, the four-piece group spent the spring of '97 at Presshouse Studio, near Exeter. The change of scenery was beneficial ... without a doubt it's the group's most adventurous and satisfying album yet. Spirit of the West has captured the mood and flavor of its travels on this newest collection. From heart-rending traditional Celtic tunes to blistering motifs reminiscent of the Far East, this album sounds worldly. Formed as a folk trio in 1983, Spirit of the West has certainly been through a few changes. But founders Geoffrey Kelly and John Mann have continued to pen songs that move heart and mind, while bandmates Hugh McMillan and Vince Ditrich have grown ever more dextrous in adapting and interpreting the compositions. Their songs, topical and provocative, still retain the pop sensibility which has always been a feature of Spirit of the West. Challenging yet appealing, passionate yet thoughtful, the group's material wears well. Grooves slink and glide, melodies dance about imaginatively, and the lyrics display more facets than cut crystal.

  -- CW