Gunning & Cormier's Tales of Grit, Courage, and Hope

Gunning & Cormier
“Leather and Dust"
Gunning & Cormier (self-released)
2023

Pushing the limits of two voices, two guitars, and the many instruments played by each musician, Canadian troubadours Dave Gunning and John Paul "J.P." Cormier joined forces once again as Gunning & Cormier, releasing their second album as a duo, “Leather and Dust,” in 2023. The ten-song collection offers a well-balanced mix of original songs and familiar covers. 

The opening tracks, "Sing Now" and "Leather and Dust," are about finding strength and joy through song in hard times and celebrating the joys and pains of life’s journey with perseverance. "Try To Get Over It" seeks healing and common ground in a failing relationship, while the duo's cover of The Killers' "Human" celebrates our humanity through our imperfections. This is followed by "There Was A Time," which revisits Tom Pacheco's nostalgic reflection on days gone by.

"You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" is a fine cover of Darrell Scott’s song about coal miners in Kentucky, with beautiful harmonies and compelling vocals that convey understanding and sincerity. 

The artists have said "Here’s To Nova Scotia” was inspired by a desire to write an uplifting song for Nova Scotia after the April 2020 shootings and fires. It’s a loving ode to the land and people of their homeland. 

The only flaw in this collection is the heavy-handed Gunning and Cormier-penned “Desperation,” which confronts tragedy, loss, and the choice to die in defeat or fight back. Though well-intentioned, this only burdens an otherwise solid set of songs. 

The project concludes with "Twice As Blue," a cover of Stompin' Tom Connors' ballad of lost love and a beautifully executed bluegrass rendition of the Alan Parsons Project's "Eye In The Sky."

Overall, this album delivers a strong collection of tales of grit, courage, and hope, with its greatest strength being the close two-part harmonies of Gunning and Cormier and a healthy dose of mandolin and banjo.