Various Artists
This Side Up
Deep Nine Recordings/Harbourmaster (1995)
Before you start wondering, no I do not like everything!! This latest offering from Deep Nine Recordings and Harbourmaster comes in a plain cardboard package with a bright orange sticker on it. I had high hopes for This Side Up based on the potential last year’s Syrup and Crisp showed for this indie 
mini-label from Halifax. But this year’s edition only managed to save itself from the incinerator for two reasons; a group called Band of Rain – Jason McGroarty (g/v), Jason Gleed (b), Adam Glennie (d) – who contribute a fresh rock sound on their two cuts “Rain Again” and “I’m Saved”, and the greatest joy of the compilation, Glace Bay native Dougie Johnson. His blues/rock hits home, and it hits home hard with “She Don’t Pretend” and “Even My Shirts”. The inclusion of Johnson, who recorded these tracks with the help of Ed Woodsworth on bass, Matt Foulds on the skins, Jamie Foulds singing backup, and Jennifer O’Keefe’s sigh, on this cd makes it a worthwhile purchase, even though the sound quality could have been better on some of the tracks. These two songs by Dougie Johnson are going to be my final two picks of the month. – Rick Matheson
