Angus Sutherland, minister at Doon Presbyterian in Kitchener, Ont., is also a multi-instrumentalist: bagpipes, penny whistle and guitar. Those who attended the recent Emmaus Project Conference in Nottawasaga, or who go to Presbyterian Music Camp, have enjoyed hearing Angus play.
He is also a song and hymn writer. Two of his songs, “Come Live in Me,” and “Sing to the Newborn King” appeared in Celebrate, the song supplement which was published in 1983, and one of his tunes was included as a refrain for Psalm 130 in The Book of Psalms. Those who attended the 135th General Assembly may remember his song “Yellow Card”, set to the tune “Yellow Bird.”
For those looking for more gentle (and not so gentle) send-up of life on a sederunt hot seat, look no further. Sutherland’s “Some Assembly Required” tells you all you might want to know (and—who knows?—perhaps more than you want to know) about the usual suspects in a General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The sounds of calypso, rockabilly and blues give you the lowdown on “PWS&D,” “The Clerk’s Rant” and “First Time Commissioner.” Sutherland presents a paean to the Presbyterian Church’s passion for church discipline with “Decently and in Order” and caps it all off with “We Are Called.”
Sutherland’s other CD, Inchcape Croft: Roots and Destinations uses celtic, folk and rock & roll and blues sounds with more serious intent. As he writes in his CD notes, Inchcape Croft is a “place in the north of Scotland within the Parish of Rogart” where he has his roots, and Sutherland sees this album as a celebration of beginnings, not only for his own family, but for his faith.
The lyrics on this album are plain-spoken, clear in intent and often rough-hewn. Sutherland’s singing sounds most convincing in songs like “A Fisherman’s Life,” in which he portrays the life of the “burly fishermen” who followed Jesus; it is less at home in the reggae of “Joseph, Joseph.”
The tune Kingsfold occupies a pride of place as a setting for three different Celtic blessings. The tune “For Sandra” is a lovely penny whistle melody.
Angus Sutherland has been quietly—and sometimes not so quietly—offering his gifts of song to the Presbyterian Church. Two CDs offer another chance to soak up both chuckles and songs of faith along with your summer sunshine.
Another CD that has come my way is by Stuart MacDonald (aka Richard Chan). Back in the folk/rock saddle after many years away, MacDonald’s MySpace introduction cites among his influences Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel and Mary Chapin Carpenter. His ten songs, all covers except for “Hartman’s Brain” and “Second Wind,” show his affection for these folk club staples. “Keep Me in Your Heart” is lovely and touching. “Second Wind” describes his on-and-off-and-on-again musical career, and where he finds himself now:
“(It’s) not about fame or playin’ a game,
where you’re tied to somebody’s rules.
Now I play what I want, sing what I like (…)
Like it or not, it’s all I’ve got,
Think I’ve found my second wind.”
That pretty well sums it up.
MacDonald’s alter ego “Richard Chan” came out of something that happened at an open mic at Ein-Stein Café and Pub in Toronto, though his explanation doesn’t really explain.
You can contact him via his MySpace…space.
Contact Angus Sutherland via email.
