By Jay Scott Kanes

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, Canada -- Not a songwriter himself, popular singer-guitarist Rodney Savidant consistently fills his CDs with the best material available. That’s supremely true of his latest album, Help Is On the Way, a 15-song gospel collection.

“Probably it’s my best CD yet, especially in terms of song selections,” said Rodney, who has faithful fans across much of Atlantic Canada. “The lyrics have very powerful messages.”

A velvet-voiced purveyor of country, roots, traditional and gospel, Rodney delivers each song in a memorable and pleasing way, but still reflectively and respectfully. “When I do concerts, I find that my voice is 10-fold better on gospel songs than when I do secular music at dances,” he said. “Whether it’s the Lord or not, I don’t know.”

Time and again, Rodney gains momentum from well-written lyrics.The title song was sent to him from Quebec.

Just hold on a little longer.
Help is on the way.
A brighter day is coming,
For those who believe and pray.
Help won’t help tomorrow,
If you give up today.
Just hold on a little longer,
Help is on the way….
From “Help Is On the Way”, Written by Michael E. Reed, Recorded by Rodney Savidant (2009)

One of Rodney’s favorite collaborators, Carl McLean, supplied three songs: “Lights of Home”, “The Miracle Man” and “Angels Are Watching Over You”.

Have you heard the news that’s going round,
About the stranger here in town?
They say he’s doing things you won’t believe.
Just yesterday, I heard it said,
He raised old Lazarus from the dead.
Now that’s the sort of thing you’ve got to see.
So tell me, have you met,
The miracle man yet?
From “The Miracle Man”, Written by Carl McLean, Recorded by Rodney Savidant (2009)

“Carl’s songs always have profound messages of God’s love and how through Him, all things are possible.” Rodney said. “In the past, Carl played with a group called The Buchanan Family. When I first heard them, something about the music really touched me, so much that hair at the back of my neck stood up.”

Another of Rodney’s favorite songwriters, his wife Brenda Brown, contributed two songs: “When I Found You, I Found Me” and “Rolling Band”.

Sitting on a sandy shore,
Contentment’s what I find.
Each thunderous sound of ocean waves,
Takes worries from my mind.
It fills my head with music,
And with a pencil in my hand,
The words come simply flowing out,
To the tune of the rolling band.
Rolling band, rolling band.
The words just keep on flowing out
To the tune of the rolling band….
From “Rolling Band”, Written by Brenda Brown, Recorded by Rodney Savidant (2009)

“One day, Brenda sat by the waterfront listening to waves lapping against the shore,” Rodney said. “Suddenly she came up with those lyrics.”

In another highlight, Rodney sings “You’re Not Alone” by Larry Campbell, a former PEI songwriter of the year.

Sixty years of sweat and tears put in this land,
A family farm handed down that his father ran,
But the bank has called his loans,
And he’s losing all he owns.
He’s never felt so helpless and alone.
But you’re not alone.
He’s with you in the morning light.
You’re not alone.
He’s beside you on a dark and cloudy night.
From “You’re Not Alone”, Written by Larry Campbell, Recorded by Rodney Savidant (2009) and by Bluestreak (2004)

Talented supporting musicians add even more excellence to the CD. Listen for Gary Chipman on fiddle, Norm Bowser on dobro, Charlie Hansen on mandolin, sisters Lisa, Donna and Fern Bennett plus Shelly MacFadyen, Keila Glydon and Brown on vocal harmonies, Clifford “Sonny” Gaudet on guitar and Tanya Bernard on keyboards. Hansen did the recording, mastering and mixing at My Little Studio in Cornwall, PEI.

Three of Rodney’s four solo CDs fall into the country-gospel genre. In the first one, Keep Your Eyes Upon the Master (2003), he relied on stellar songwriters like McLean, Gene MacLellan and Hansen. That album won a PEI Music Award.

In 2005, Rodney’s second gospel CD, Bless Your Children Once Again, appeared. Last year, he issued Me and My Guitar, a collection of his most-requested songs.

“My gospel albums aren’t what I’d call ‘churchy’,” Rodney said. “They don’t sound like church hymns. They’re for easy-listening, but with very powerful messages.”

At live shows, Rodney’s known for his powerful voice, extensive song repertoire and entertaining stories. To please his fans, he welcomes audience requests. “I know thousands of songs,” he said, “and my purpose is to play what the people want, not what I want.”

For five decades, Rodney has entertained solo and in bands. Smooth duos are another specialty. Working with Neil Matthews as The Last Resort, he recorded two other albums: Crossing a New Bridge and The Last Resort, Live at the Silver Fox. In the 1980s, he teamed with Susan Walsh in The Illusions.

When not holding his guitar, Rodney has sold insurance, electronics and furniture. For a time, he worked as a radio announcer. Now he focuses strictly on music.

What comes next? “I plan to do a CD called Me and My Guitar, Volume 2, more of my most requested songs,” he said. “Then I’m thinking of a Christmas album and maybe one more gospel CD.”

Published Earlier: Man of Many Songs Plays What the People Want.

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