Leanne Lightfoot’s Still Knowing — A Masterful Album of Heart and Experience
Leanne Lightfoot’s Still Knowing is a luminous journey through the deeply personal and universally resonant themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of truth. Rooted in folk and roots traditions, the album is a testament to Leanne’s distinct songwriting and evocative vocal style, described by celebrated Nashville singer-songwriter Bruce D. Miller as “a mystic rare bird singing in the wilderness.”
Born into a household brimming with music, Lightfoot was surrounded by instruments and impromptu jam sessions. “No one played well, but everyone played well enough,” she recalls. “And everyone, I mean everyone, loved to sing!” That love of music shaped her early years, even as her focus was on a successful career as a competitive dressage rider and trainer. The deep bond she shares with horses is subtly woven into her songwriting, resonating with listeners who understand the profound connection between human and animal.
Her musical influences are as varied as her experiences—Willie Nelson, Ian Tyson, and Emmylou Harris laid the groundwork, but it was a live recording of Iris Dement that changed everything. “I had never heard anything like it. It was startling, and it made me start writing my own songs,” she shares. That spark has now led to Still Knowing, an album that reflects not just years of songwriting but a life fully lived.
The album, recorded by Rob Bartlett in Bragg Creek, AB, embraces the warmth of analog recording, laid down on 2” tape through a vintage Neve board. The result is a collection of songs that feel raw and alive, each track carrying the weight of lived experience. Produced by Leanne herself alongside Bartlett, Still Knowing is a rich sonic landscape, featuring contributions from Jamie Newsom, Tim Jeffery, Chris Sandvoss, Thom Moon, and Keith Floen.
The album takes its title from The Lully Mare, a haunting track that captures the deep bond between human and horse. The lyric, “When she looks me in the eye, she’ll be knowing I still know,” serves as both an intimate reflection and a broader meditation on memory and connection.
Every track on Still Knowing stands as a carefully crafted vignette of life. Unsettled smolders with a Peggy Lee-style groove, capturing the electric moment of locked eyes across a crowded room. Coldest, Darkest Night envelops listeners in the comfort of love’s safe harbor, while She’s Your Whiskey is a deeply moving portrait of devotion to someone struggling. The foot-stomping blues of Cry Baby (2024 version) swings with a no-nonsense attitude, while Without You juxtaposes heartbreak with an upbeat melody. Time Waits For No One honors resilience, and Montana reflects on roads not taken. The album closes with The Game, a meditation on heartbreak and the will to start again.
Leanne Lightfoot’s journey through music has seen her perform in coffee shops, open mics, and alongside her family in The Elbow River Band, whose album Redtail Flyer climbed to #1 on CJSW’s folk charts. Over the years, she’s continued to evolve, performing as part of the duo Lightfoot & Jeffery and forming Oleana, but Still Knowing marks a powerful return to the studio, channeling a decade of experience into an album that is both timeless and deeply personal.
Leanne’s Still Knowing isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a lived experience set to music. With its soulful storytelling, rich instrumentation, and analog warmth, this album confirms Leanne Lightfoot as a vital voice in contemporary folk and roots music. It’s an album that doesn’t just ask to be heard; it asks to be felt.
Stevie Connor, a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, is renowned for his versatility across various domains within the industry. Initially destined for football, Stevie's heart found its true calling in music. His multifaceted journey has seen him excel as a musician, composer, recording artist, journalist, and internet radio pioneer.
In 2012, Stevie laid the foundation for Blues and Roots Radio, an online platform that quickly became a global stage for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and Celtic music. His visionary leadership propelled the platform to international acclaim. Not content with just one venture, Stevie expanded his influence in 2020 by founding The Sound Cafe Magazine, a multilingual platform dedicated to artist interviews, album reviews, and music news.
Stevie's impact extends beyond these platforms. His discerning ear and industry acumen have presented opportunities to be selected as a juror for national awards such as the JUNO Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the Maple Blues Awards. Through his tireless efforts, he has earned a solid reputation within the music community, garnering respect from peers and artists alike.
Despite his extensive responsibilities, Stevie remains deeply connected to his roots, both musically and geographically. He continues to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the music world, ensuring his influence resonates far beyond any single platform. Stevie's enduring passion and commitment to music make him a true luminary in the industry.
Stevie is a verified journalist on the global PR platform, Muck Rack.
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