BeatRoute Magazine

My AKGs pound “This Winding Road”, the lead track on Linda McRae's latest album Carve it to the Heart and I'm whisked away to find myself somewhere else with my feet kicked up, swaying in my rocker as the moonshine kisses the rim of my blue tin cup. The stars are out and faintly in the distance I can hear horses rustling in the stables.

McRae writes from the heart, and her foot-stomping ballads of loss, long nights and love are moving and heartbreaking. Her voice is an honest blend of Loretta, Lucinda and Emmy Lou – perfectly suiting this distinguished wordsmith. McRae was a prominent member of the well-known Canadian band Spirit of the West for some years and in 1997 took leave to explore tunes born from her heart and soul. Linda, we're stoked with your decision to abandon the tin whistle and walk into the realm of back porch Canadiana bourbon banjo.

Truly, we Calgarians are blessed because McRae will be joined by three of Alberta's top singer/songwriters (Anne Loree, Steve Pineo and Ralph Boyd Johnson) for the Song Writers Round-Up happening at the Ironwood, May 19th. All four tunesmiths will take a seat in the round and share their work...

-Sam Masterton