Red House
2007
Old Dogs
About This Album
Bill Staines has been singing and writing first-rate songs for most of his life and while many A-list country and folk artists have cut his tunes, he still remains largely unknown outside of folk circles. Old Dogs probably won't change that, but it's another excellent album full of finely crafted songs and well chosen covers that showcase Staines' beautiful high tenor and understated fingerpicking. Staines isn't a singer who bowls you over, but his comforting vocals and melancholy melodies slowly insinuate themselves into your heart and leave you feeling warm and comfy, like an old friend who always shows up with good stories and a bottle of wine. "The Heavens and the Years" is a solemn meditation on aging, with Staines' stately piano and subtle churchy organ adding to the song's sanctified feel. "Old Dogs" sings the praises of a life well lived, with humor and compassion, "Savannah" is an ode to a beautiful aging city with a quiet bluegrass arrangement to augment Staines' tranquil vocals and the gracious Southern poetry of the lyric. "Once We Walked" is a poignant song about a long marriage that's weathered time to bind two souls ever closer together.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9)

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