55. Album Review of San Palarino by Charlie A’Court

Originally Published October 18th, 2024

About the Artist

The more I learn about Charlie A'Court, I find myself asking the same question over and over: “What can I write about him that hasn’t already been said?”

After all, Charlie A’Court is an award winning, chart topping, leader in indie Soul and Roots music in Canada. Even now, his single “Two Days of Highway,” sits at the number one position of the East Coast Top 30; a position it’s held for two weeks. He is a 5-time ECMA winner and an 8-time Nova Scotia Music Award winner. Charlie has even been recognized as Entertainer of the Year.

Charlie has toured Canada, Australia, and Germany. He has worked with songwriters like Matt Andersen, Terra Spencer, and Colin MacDonald of The Trews. Charlie A’Court has accomplished pretty much all an independent artist could hope to. So what does a guy like me; a guy who has a tiny little blog that’s only in its 4th month of existence, have to say about such an accomplished musician?

Well, there is one thing. In everything I read, A’Court has been recognized time and time again as a Soul Artist, a Blues Artist, and a Roots Artist. But when I pressed play for the first time to listen to San Palarino, I said to myself, “That man’s a Country Singer.”

About the Album

San Palarino is an album that was released by Charlie A’Court on October 4th, 2024. With 11 songs, it had a runtime of approximately 41 minutes. It features A’Court on vocals and guitar, and an accompanying band of musicians on bass, drums, steel guitar, organ, accordion, and even a fiddle. 

About the Music

As previously mentioned, San Palarino is billed as a Soul album. A Blues album. But being a southern kid who has been raised in the heartbeat of country music, known as Nashville, Tennessee, since 1993, I know country music when I hear it. San Palarino is a Country Music album if I’ve ever heard one.

In Two Days of Highway, he even talks about “Meeting in Memphis,” in a song that is peppered with whirling organs, a significant emphasis on the 1-3 beats of the 4/4 time signature, slightly crunchy guitar solos, and rocking 1-5 bass lines thumping through the accompaniment. Accordions, Steel Guitars and other instruments filling the space with sound that sounds more and more like my home.

In Don't Gimme That Look, the song comes in with about as authentic of a fiddle part as I’ve heard. The drums punch out a rhythm that sounds like a train chugging along, like the famous Orange Blossom Special. 

I know Roots music is a sort of catch all for all sorts of North American “Southern” music. It’s been attributed to Gospel, Americana, Jug Music, and Appalachian Folk. A lot of that is not that dissimilar to Country music. That argument can be made. But I do want to take the time to specifically say that this is an album that would be very welcomed in Nashville as a country music album.

About the Lyrics

When listening to the lyrical style that A’Court uses, I further am convinced that this style of music is a fantastic representation of traditional country music. 

In the song, Home is Just a House Now, the narrator tells a story of a young boy who is observing the effects of his family having to leave their home because his family is out of work and they can no longer afford to stay in that home. It’s a sad and familiar tale of southerners this region of the US, for generations. The pain in the lyrics is all too familiar. 

“I was just a boy when my family left town. No work meant no money and no hope could be found. I watched my mama break down and cry. I turned to my father and seen tears in his eyes.” The verse is written in a storytelling narrative similar to Don't Take the Girl by legendary Country Musician, Tim McGraw. 

It really resonates with a similarity to “Don’t Take the Girl,” with a moment the story comes full circle as, at the end of the song, the narrator is now a grown man, and a father himself and he is facing the same problem, but this time on the other end of the perspective: “Now I’m a married man. With a family of my own. With a wife that I would die for and kids that I adore. When that factory shut down  and I was in my daddy’s shoes, my daughter held my hand when I told her the news.” 

A’Court’s lyrical narrative are very captivating and tell very emotional stories. He offers a diversity in his subject matter and his technical writing is very superb. There aren’t any moments where the lyrical content clashes with the melody or rhythm of the music. I very much loved his lyrical performance.

Final Thoughts

Charlie A’Court might be the most accomplished of all of the musicians I’ve reviewed. I wanted to write this review for two reasons:

The first is, in spite of everything he has accomplished as a musician, Charlie A’Court is still an independent musician. And as an independent musician, he has proven that he can still make an incredible name for himself. He is An acclaimed artist in Canada, Nova Scotia, and recognized in other parts of the world for his talents. He has had the privilege of touring internationally, he has had the recognition of being an award winning artist, and the ability to network with musicians who continue to elevate his status as a performance artist and he to them. I think it is great to see that being a professional musician doesn’t always mean artists are selling out stadiums or amphitheaters, walking down red carpets, or showing up to the MET Gala with a block of ice for a clutch that broke, and was valued at $25,000. 

The other thing is this: if it has not been acknowledged before, I wanted to make sure it was: Charlie A’Court, I would like to introduce you to a proven artist in country music: Charlie A’Court. I understand that there are some who will say that Roots is derivative of country. I understand that this might not even be the genre you’re shooting for. But music is all about how it resonates with your LISTENERS. If you haven’t considered this before, it should be something to consider. You’re a phenomenal talent when it comes to country music! This record felt so much like home to me, I wouldn’t have been surprised to hear these songs at my local fall fest or in a bar on Broadway in downtown Nashville. You’d fit right in.

I’m definitely not going to say Charlie should stop the press and reinvent himself. He had made a name for himself and he has received some well deserved recognition for his work. I don’t want to take away from that. I just think it’s important to note that there is something I believe that could be added to what he’s accomplished. 

Please check out Charlie A’Court on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. San Palarino is streaming at all places music streams! You can visit his website for information on tour dates, applying for the Charlie A’Court Excellence in Music Scholarship, and other news related to Charlie. If you want to see the newly released music video for Two Days of Highway, you can check it out on YouTube!