"After The War" was first released as "This One" in Switzerland by Brambus Records in
October 2008. The US version "After The War," released by Blue Flute Music in February 2009, is the same cd.
This review is presented unedited and unchanged.
The second cut, "Stop The War," dates from 1982 and first appeared on MacDonald's White Buffalo [1991]. A quarter of a century on, the question "What has changed?" is ringing in my ears. Following the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution of the late 1980s, MacDonald visited the country and also performed concerts. Inspired by this former Communist nation, "For The People (Song For Czechoslovakia)" appeared on The Man On The Ledge [1994]. In the early 1990s MacDonald moved from New York City to Florida. "Days Of Rain," a climatic (no, not climactic) love song, hails from what I would loosely describe as MacDonald's sophomore Sunshine State collection of songs, Into The Blue [1999]. Considering the extremes of weather that Florida experiences, sunshine is an amusing misnomer.
A new song, "Two Americans," is a subtle comment on naturalized Americans, one Israeli, the other Lebanese. Now over three decades old, "The Coming Of The Snow" is that rarity, a believable love song. "Ballerina" dates from 1976 and was recorded during that decade by the Rod MacDonald Band, but never included on an official release till now. The latter is a remembrance of a former lover - "She turned from me to another man" - who proved to be a somewhat dogmatic dancer/wife. Composed over a quarter of a century ago, Fred Pohlman,'s "After The War" is something of a rarity on a MacDonald recording - a cover song - and led by Pete Levin's piano it's a heartfelt number that reflects upon love won and lost.
Tracy Grammer adds her voice to "American Jerusalem," a cut on MacDonald's debut solo album, No Commercial Traffic [1983]. The melodic acoustic guitar intro simply remains a classic, while the lyric, set in New York City, is a barbed reflection on commerce local, national, and international. Like "American Jerusalem," "Soldiers" alludes to deals made "in the fine marble halls." Ike warned the American nation during his farewell address to beware of the "military-industrial complex" and adopting an anti-war stance MacDonald's "Soldiers" explores the concept. The second cover song, "Half Heaven, Half Heartache," was penned by George Goehring (he plays piano on the cut), Wally Gold, and Aaron H. Schroeder, and MacDonald is vocally supported on this rendition by fellow Floridian Ellen Bukstel. When recorded by Gene Pitney and released as a single back in 1962, this big ballad peaked at #12 on the U.S. Pop chart. And Then He Woke Up [1996], MacDonald's first Sunshine State suite, featured the melodically fluent, but poignant ancestral reflection "I'll Walk In The Highlands." Descended from a Scottish bloodline, MacDonald's ancestors came to America via Nova Scotia.
This One draws to a close with a quartet of already familiar MacDonald compositions. From Bring On The Lions [1989] there's "After The Singing" and "Wings Of Light." The former is a joyously urgent celebration of human endeavour and lyrical repetition of the number four, while the similarly urgently paced latter reflects upon the transient nature of life. The White Buffalo album title cut is a gently paced, spiritually infused paean inspired by MacDonald's profound interest in the culture of numerous Native American nations, particularly the Oglala Sioux. From his aforementioned debut collection the closing song, "Every Living Thing," urges humankind to live in peace and harmony.
A fraction of the songs that exist in the public domain possess much more than a fleeting immediacy. MacDonald has for decades crafted in word and melody, living and breathing entities that bear repeated hearing. This One proves that contention.
Arthur Wood is a founding editor at FolkWax. You may contact Arthur at folkwax@visnat.com.