It must be the wheat. I’m trying to think of why there are so many proficient, yet usually downbeat, Canadian singer songwriters out there and, indeed, John Gogo fits that very profile with “One Of These Days”, his first in 13 years apparently.
Reeking if not actually wallowing in melancholy, John Gogo recites immaculately assembled tales of bad luck and misadventure. Not real misadventure involving strippers and accidentally robbing liquor stores but the more reflective kind like “things didn’t really work out as I hoped” rather than “why are the police shooting at me?” That, of course, kind of fits with the white stetson he is seen to be wearing on the sleeve for John Gogo is one of life’s good guys - he’s a shoulder you can cry on (try “Jane Blue” for the perfect example of the man and his approach). There are times, however, when he raises his game with the best example of this being the Harry Chapin like “I Don’t Like Trains”.
All in all, this is a mellow, easy listening album that passes the time amiably enough. For me though, “One Of These Days” has been sandpapered smooth and, at times, seems to revel in ordinariness. I suspect that – probably deliberate - approach will make it difficult for John Gogo to stand out from the crowd.
Available from CD Baby.