THE HERALD
MARCH 27, 2005

MUSIC REVIEW BY KEVIN KELLY

With the release of their new self-titled CD, family group The Cormiers look like a band that's going places. The first notable change is the look of the traditional group itself. Originally from Codroy Valley, and now based in Conception Bay south, when the group released its debut CD, The Shamrock, Thistle and Rose back in 2002, the cover was in black and white, and the photo image was a little grainy.

This new CD cover, however, is in full colour and slickly packaged - the faces of Loretta Johnson, her daughter Mallory Johnson, Loretta’s brother Gordon Cormier, and his son Randall Cormier glowing with a distinct focus. That intense focus is almost a symbol of the group's intentions nowadays. The album cover urges you to listen, a "look at us now" philosophy.

All the songs on the brand-new CD are original. Gordon Cormier wrote or co-wrote nine tunes, with the help of Loretta on three and Mallory on another.

The youngest Johnson, who was only 11 when the group's debut CD came out, is now 14, and is emerging as one of the lead vocalists in the group. She's also enhanced her songwriting skills writing three songs herself. The group has also added 14-year-old Randall, who wasn't on the debut CD, but has played drums and bodrhan with the group since '02. The music varies greatly, but harkens back to their musical Scottish/French background, featuring tin whistles, fiddles and an obvious Celtic sound on some. Other tracks have a hint of "new country". The group admits they're a true team on and off stage. "When you are family, you know each other so well; you know when you have to cut in and do something…we feed off each other," the elder Cormier says.

They've performed many high-profile events since their debut, including the 2004 ECMA 72-Hour Jam and the showcasing portion of ECMA 2004 and Toronto's Canadian Music Week. They've opened for country superstars Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan and had a couple of local hits such as Moving Away and Imagine (It's all up to You). A newer version of Imagine is included on the new CD.

The Herald recently sat down with the family band to discuss their new album and upcoming provincial tour this spring. The Cormiers was produced by acclaimed Canadian producer Chad Irschick (who’s worked with Terry Kelly, Bruce Guthro, and The Rankins) and recorded in Toronto. It's an album that showcases originality, and Loretta Johnson says that was intentional.

"We had a lot of new material," she admits. "We didn't know how good it was. By the time we went there, we had thought about recording some traditional songs, but he (Irschick) kept telling us, ‘No, your stuff is better.’"

It was a huge confidence boost.

"There is a lot of traditional stuff that’s done and redone," adds Gordon Cormier. "You have to put a real twist on it somehow and make it yours. It has to be from us and where we come from."

Johnson adds that if you want to be a successful group, you need to be original. "If you're doing someone else's tunes, I don't think you'll get the attention the same way you would if you were writing your own stuff," she says.

Hooking up with Irschick to help produce the new CD wasn't as hard as they thought. "We were a little intimidated at first. I just called him up one day and he answered the phone," Cormier recalls. "I had a great conversation with him and right off the bat, we had something in common, as his partner's grandmother was a Cormier."

"Chad produces a certain sound that we wanted, so that's the main reason we went that way," he says. "We didn't want for him to be away from his element, and the musicians that he's used to working with. That's why there are five different drummers used during the recording, including Randall."

As for the younger Johnson, Mallory, her songs are more issue-oriented. A tune like Imagine is about the uncertainty in the world, If Someone Would Care looks at bullying, while Not Me, Not Now is about being tempted to try drugs and alcohol. Her voice has also gotten stronger and she multi-tasks, playing piano, stepdancing and singing, which she really enjoys. "My voice has matured a bit since I was 11, so I'm happy with that," she says with a laugh.

As for the younger Cormier, he's getting more comfortable as a drummer, but Randall admits, "I still have a lot to learn." The onstage experience will come firsthand as they gear up for a provincial tour of the Arts & Culture Centres this spring, beginning April 23 in Labrador City, then hitting Goose Bay, St. John's, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Grand Falls-Windsor and ending May 1 in Gander.

"I like the one-on-one with the audience," Loretta says. "When you get the excitement of people responding to your songs, we are finding out what works, what connects."

"When you see people stamping their feet and singing along, it makes you feel like a true performer," Mallory adds.

As for their future, they hope their album will garner some attention at this year's Music Industry Awards, as well as next year's ECMAs in Charlottetown.

"There are a lot of goals that you hope to reach", Cormier says. "Our very first goal is to reach out to Newfoundland and Labrador and after this upcoming provincial tour, focus on Atlantic Canada."

Kevin Kelly, The Herald

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