CD Review – The Wine Soaked Preachers “Tales of Western Noir”

The Preachers started life in a rather unlikely manner. As a Corb Lund tribute band, their aim was to spread the musical gospel of Alberta’s favourite former punk now reborn country roots musician, and, while doing so, play every hotel in southern Alberta. The jury is out as to whether or not they achieved that second lofty goal, but along the journey, they amassed a considerable following, including that of one Corb Lund himself.

As will happen when you play enough music together, the Wine Soaked Preachers began to develop their own sound, and the trio started penning original songs. In the fall of 2012, the Wine Soaked Preachers recorded their debut album, Tales of Western Noir, a foot stomping, fire and brimstone sermon of white lightning and watering holes. With the exception of an Alberta-only remake of Hank Snow’s I’ve Been Everywhere (subtitled In the Key of Alberta), all the songs on Tales of Western Noir are WSP originals. Tracks like The Lethbridge Provincial Gaol Blues and Swift River embrace deep-rooted provincial ties, and all the songs call for a bracing shot of whiskey and a resounding stomp of the cowboy boot.

The Wine Soaked Preachers are currently on hiatus, to accommodate the travel bug, but look for them at a holy watering hole near you sometime this summer. In the meantime, pick up their album, Tales of Western Noir. You’ll soon see the light.

thewinesoakedpreachers.com