Watch The Rural Alberta Advantage performing this heart-wrenching version of “Tornado ‘87” for my personal favourite Southern Souls. There’s also a stunning solo piano rendition of “Under the Knife” performed by vocalist Nils Edenloff in an empty church. The RAA released one of the best albums of the year, which I think I somehow forgot to mention when I finally got my hands on it.
Even though The RAA are actually from Toronto and not Alberta (a common misconception), their twangy nasal sound always reminds me of the Canadian prairies where I spent my summers as a kid. A few months ago, I was writing a story for my creative writing class based on my childhood memories of Saskatchewan and my great aunt’s farm — I stayed up many late nights just listening to this record on repeat hoping that it would help bring those memories back. And what do y’know? It worked like a charm.
mp3: The Rural Alberta Advantage - Tornado ‘87 from Departing
mp3: The Rural Alberta Advantage - Under the Knife from Departing
