Canadian singer-songwriter, CanAmericana artist, and heartland rocker Leeroy Stagger has been one of the most interesting artists in his field since the early 2000s. His sometimes unconventional path has garnered him a string of major awards and earned him widespread popularity and acclaim – far beyond Canada’s borders, especially in Europe, where his albums have frequently been released on the Blue Rose label, a label perfectly suited to this kind of music, and where he has cultivated a loyal fan base through numerous tours. His recent tour in our region has just concluded successfully. Together with his band, he performed in many renowned clubs for live music after a 10-year hiatus and once again thrilled audiences at the annual Static Roots Festival. His setlist included a number of classic hits from his long career, along with plenty of new songs! Because Leeroy Stagger has released a brand new album with nine consistently strong tracks, it is called – like his tour – ‚Pilgrimage‚.
Originally from Vancouver, Leeroy Stagger moved back to the West Coast after many years in the Alberta Prairie shortly before the pandemic, finding his new home on Vancouver Island in Victoria. He established his own recording studio (Neighborhood Records) there, where his latest album was created – in close, friendly collaboration with renowned multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/producer/arranger Joel Plaskett from the opposite end of Canada, in Dartmouth on Halifax Bay in Nova Scotia. Plaskett not only co-wrote, instrumented, and produced and recorded all the songs on ‚Pilgrimage‘ with Leeroy Stagger, but it is above all his empathetic approach to creating the atmosphere of each track that stands out, always focused and aligned with the core of the lyrics. And these lyrics are special; indeed, they follow a concept that Leeroy Stagger explains in detail in the liner notes of the booklet. In short, ‚Pilgrimage‘ represents a deliberate exploration of his own past and career, his Scottish ancestors and Celtic tradition, initiated by a weekend in Glasgow in 2018 and inspired by the famous book ‚Soil And Soul‘ by writer and Highland activist Alistair McIntosh.
It’s no surprise, then, that ‚Pilgrimage‘ is a distinctly folk-oriented Leeroy Stagger album. Acoustic guitars, mandolins, violins, and banjos frequently take center stage or are seamlessly woven into the soulful ballads and catchy songwriting of the ingenious Stagger/Plaskett team, often garnished with subtle electric folk-rock undertones reminiscent of the 70s. The „analog,“ handcrafted production perfectly complements this, offering a radical and very appealing counterpoint to the now overly automated, assembly-line Americana sound of the likes of Isbell, Carlile, Old Crow, and Avett. And the protagonist’s voice, or rather his singing style, fits this perfectly: warm, sonorous, yet assertive and slightly edgy, always attractive and full of character – 100% Leeroy Stagger!
The opener, ‚Fiddler’s Daughter‘, immediately sets the tone with its appropriately dominant fiddle; this is island folk at its finest. It’s followed by the country-rock ballad ‚Swimming Back To You‘, with acoustic and electric guitars constantly intertwining, and the beautifully flowing melody of ‚Summer Rain‘, driven by banjo and electric guitar. ‚Last To Know‘ is a thoughtful and poignant storyteller in an acoustic country/Americana style. Pedal steel, fiddle, organ accompaniment, and raw harmony vocals create a Dylan-esque feel somewhere between ‚Blood On The Tracks‘ and ‚Desire‘. Yes, this is truly a key, central song! ‚Dogwood Flower‘ is pure folk. With its clear banjo/fiddle focus, the track is reminiscent of early Loudon Wainwright III material (‚The Swimming Song‘), beautifully complemented by Steve Marriner’s (MonkeyJunk) campfire harmonica.
In ‚Highlands Leaving‘, Scottish folk meets Appalachian mountain music. Kendel Carson’s fiddle and Joel Plaskett’s mandolin define the soundscape before the electric lead guitar (also by Plaskett) elevates the song to another level with a striking solo, leading into a jamming finale. Afterwards, ‚Bangor‘ picks up considerable speed with acoustic uptempo/folk rock, again featuring Kendel Carson in a leading role, with accordion accompaniment provided by John Aaron Cockburn (Bruce’s nephew). After ‚Lost In The Flood‘, a smooth, stately ballad with (almost) anthemic qualities, ‚Pilgrimage‘ ends in the most tranquil, quiet way imaginable with ‚Carry Me‘: Leeroy Stagger all alone, just his voice and guitar picking.
Summer is far from over, but perhaps ‚Pilgrimage‘ is already the CanAmericana album of 2026?!