When I was making my internet rounds of all things roots music there was one name on the Americana charts that I didn’t recognize. Mixed in with Lyle Lovett, Kris Kristofferson, Roseanne Cash and Guy Clark was Cam Penner. Cam Penner is from Southern Manitoba, his bio describes a rich life spent traveling the country performing with some of the greats (Flatlanders, John Prine, Glen Cambell). He’s a completely indie artist putting out his own records and booking his own tours. In that way he’s like many of the artists featured on Songs:Illinois. That he’s had so much success is testament to the quality of his songs. Here’s the track “13″ from his brand new record Trouble & Mercy. Buy it here.
PS Here are the album notes from Trouble & Mercy:
“I found these songs in the alleys and streets. Under a dumpster. In the remains of discarded trash. Faded phone numbers and addresses on cigarettes packs. In empty clubs, gas station pumps and front page headlines. On the bottom of a styrofoam cup. In the last drag, stuffed in the glove compartment. Between sofa cushions. On the side of the interstate. Waking up beside her, watching two worlds collide. In the dives and diners. At cheap no tell motel rooms where you sleep in your clothes, shoes on. Stopping when I saw something shiny. Walking through the ditch, kicking at the tall grass, searching for a dime. Living hand to mouth and waking up to stove top coffee. In the madness of a rich man’s town, where the poor and elite collide. There in the midnight hours, I’d sometimes peel back the gauze and poke it to see if still hurt.”