One of Canada's best-kept musical secrets Matt Patershuk resides in rural northern Alberta, perfecting his craft for over a decade now, he teams up once again with award winning string player and producer, Steve Dawson for this new release If Wishes Were Horses. These new songs extend the themes of individual integrity, hard work, family and loss that have been explored on all of Patershuk's recordings. Songs that communicate the significance of small moments. Rendered in simple language, his lyrics extrapolate on what he has seen so that his observations become touchstones for deeper, universal insights and experiences, exploring the thin line between winning and losing, tenderness and resolve. ranging from country waltzes, Americana and blues, If Wishes Were Horses is a musical treat from beginning to end, producer Steve Dawson gathered a fine band including Chris Gestrin on keys, Jeremy Holmes on bass and Gary Craig on drums. Studio legend Charlie McCoy dropped by to add some tasty harmonica, with Kristen Weber violin, vocals and Larissa Maestro cello, vocals on several songs. The album consists of fourteen originals, and a fine bluesy take on Jerry Garcia's Sugaree, Velvet Bulldozer is a blues written from the perspective of Albert King working his day job, and Red Hot poker is a growling blues. Then we come to the interpretation of the blues, the blues is evolving into many genres so are The Blues Don't Bother Me, and Walkin', blues tinged country? Earnest Tubb Had Fuzzy Dippers, and Let’s give This Bottle A Black Eye definitely come under the country banner. Bear Chase is more a roots folk song while I could quite easily see John Mellencamp doing Circus, while Alberta Waltz and Last Dance are exquisite country waltzes. Making up the rest of the album are four instrumentals which are all variations on a single melody. An album of beautifully crafted songs with exquisite playing and superb vocals from start to finish, one which will fit in a few pigeon holes, maybe not the blues but very good.