Jeffery Straker “More than two by four and wood”

Watch the premiere of “More than two times four and wood” by Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Jeffery Straker. Straker's rolling, flowing piano draws us along with melodic currents while his gorgeously warm voice flows and shows off his range. His vocals are warm and open as he sings about a really personal subject, which comes through clearly in the quality of his performance. The song was recorded live in one take, giving it a really intimate, authentic feel. Later, Fats Kaplin overdubbed the harmonica part, giving the song emotional and sonic depth, with that lonesome sound perfectly complementing the theme and tone.

Straker grew up on the prairies and has witnessed the changes in communities and rural life over the years. This song is about the disappearance of grain elevators or silos from the familiar landscape, as he explains: “I am proud to release this new Canadian prairie folk song. I grew up on a grain farm in Saskatchewan, helping with the harvest and learning to play the piano. My environment included the beautiful 'prairie skyscrapers' – grain silos – in every small town. These big old storage silos once numbered more than 3000, but now fewer than 180 remain. Their disappearance reflects a change in rural life as modernization and urbanization take place. Symbolizing a vibrant agricultural past in thriving small communities, the remaining silos often cause passersby to slow down, stop for a photo and pause to reflect. They represent a simpler time and looking up at them almost takes you back in time. This song tells the story of a grain silo on its last day, just before it was bulldozed, and how the town around it has also been in decline for some time.”

As Straker focuses on these rural landmarks, his sensitive, thoughtful words encourage us all to reflect on the inevitability of change and the passage of time. We can grow weary of turbulent times and the loss of familiar things, and it can be tempting to hold on to the past. However, Straker ultimately encourages us to let go. The accompanying video was filmed on location at Horizon Saskatchewan, with Straker actually playing on a real piano in the 1922 granary owned and maintained by Kevin Klemenz. Anyone who has ever had to carry a piano this large around will understand the physical demands of placing it in the granary and even on the nearby tracks. Straker recounts: “The piano was found for free on Facebook Market Place!” The video was artfully shot and produced by Mitch Goetz and beautifully showcases this historic building and the surrounding prairies. Staying on topic, eight of Straker's recent shows have taken place in old grain elevators.

The single comes from Straker’s brand new album, “Big wide sky”which was produced by Steve Dawson in Nashville. Look for Jeffery Straker at the AmericanaFest in Nashville on September 20th and on a UK tour in October and November to promote the new record, out now. Take in this thought-provoking song and then watch the video.