NYC’s self-described ‘independent songwriter,’ Michael Chagnon covers a whole lotta ground in just eight songs with his debut album, Saints And Strangers.

AN ALBUM OF WIDE VARIETY

We don’t know very much at all about Michael Chagnon, save that he’s based on Roosevelt Island, New York City and that he describes himself as: “…an independent songwriter.”  Actually, there’s one more, rather important, thing that we also know about Michael – and that’s that he released his debut album earlier this year.  The album is called Saints And Strangers and it’s something rather special.

The eight songs that comprise Saints And Strangers are all Michael’s own, and he’s the driving force behind the album.  He recorded the album himself and he plays a whole range of instruments, including guitar, bass, harpsichord, piano and drums.  That’s not to say that he was entirely alone, because it seems that Michael has a wide coterie of talented friends upon whose services he can depend, whenever he’s in need of an extra vocalist, a pedal steel player, a super guitarist or – pretty much anything else, really.

Saints and Strangers is an album of wide variety.  Michael Chagnon is clearly unrestrained by boundaries of genre and he’s equally comfortable, whether the theme is straight-ahead rock, Americana, Latin rhythms or even chamber folk.  Saints and Strangers covers all this ground – and more.  In Michael’s own words: “If you want the shorthand, [the album] sits somewhere between Iron & Wine and early White Stripes – depending upon which track you land on.”

“I HAD COCAINE ALL OVER MY FACE!”

A sprightly burst of harpsichord sets a happy medieval tone to the intro of opening track, When He’s Gone.  But that mood doesn’t last, as Michael’s and Marian Van Knoppen’s blended voices take the song in a Latin American direction – with requisite swing high on the agenda.  And, once it joins the party, Dale Rivard’s pedal steel adds a country feel.  See what I mean about diversity?  And we’re only 2½ minutes into the album!

I Said Yes is a chugging rocker with hilarious lyrics that are worthy of a quick paraphrase.  The song’s lead character attends a party at which all manner of hedonistic pleasures – booze, dope, blow, sex, love and even violence are readily available.  Things get predictably messy, as the punchline: “I had cocaine all over my face” confirms.  And the pleasures of the event are reflected in the song’s bright tune and, particularly in Melanie Brooks’ backing vocals.

Co-written with friend Nathan Johnson, When We Grow Old is another bright sparkler, propelled along by a lively piano figure.  Michael’s thudding bass provides a solid foundation and the guitars jangle.  An excellent electric guitar solo from Will Cheatham breaks things up but, even then, there’s no loss of focus on the song’s key question: “Will we still be in love when we grow old?”

CATS AND KINKS…

Sung in Spanish, the sentiments expressed Uno Gatito (The Cat Song) will resonate with cat-lovers everywhere.  I know – I’m one.  Basically, the song’s lyrics translate as: “My soft, black and white kitten who loves to play games – I will love you forever.”  Sung by guest Kaley Smith, Michael provides accompaniment on ukelele, guitar, bass and piano.  It’s a simple song and another one with an infectious Latin rhythm.  And I love the soft ‘miaow’ at the end…

The album’s lead single, The Way That You Move is a slice of strident punk, with gritty, chiming guitars and a heavy drumbeat.  There’s feedback, too, but Michael’s clanging bass and soothing organ ensure that things don’t get too far out of hand.  Best of all, Elizabeth Potter’s backing vocals are the stuff of adolescent dreams – especially when she answers Michael’s demand to “Give me everything you’ve got, girl” with a slinky: “I’ll SHOW you what I got…”

A KEY INGREDIENT

Saints And Strangers is an album of extremes and nowhere is that more evident than at the point where the take-no-prisoners punk of The Way That You Move is followed by the dreamy folk of I Want You.  Strummed acoustic guitars are at the fore for this one, with Matthew Billings’ swirls of organ adding the sweetening and Geoffrey Osbourne the guitar highlights.  But the key ingredient is, without doubt, Artem Litovchenko’s baroque cello.

Maria Grigoryeva’s string arrangements provide the mellow accompaniment to Michael’s soft vocals and his lovingly strummed-and-picked guitar on Just for Awhile, the album’s shortest track – and I’m reminded immediately of Nick Drake.  And, we stay low-key for the engaging The Holy Ghost, the album’s closing track.  Michael plays an attractive theme on his acoustic guitar as he sings his dreamy, confessional lyrics.  The tune is bluesy Americana and Michael adds his own backing vocals to complete the picture.  “The holy ghost is preyin’ on me,” he sings.  And, with that, he has the last word on a triumphant debut album.

Watch the official video to The Way That You Move – the album’s lead single – below:

Michael Chagnon: Website

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