Send "Barney Bentall " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 A Canadian Veteran Finds His Voice in the Idyll of Cattle CountryBarney Bentall was long the example of record executives’ need to find a Canadian version of an American icon. Barney was supposed to be Canada’s Bruce Springsteen. This was an overly-easy nod to his flinty delivery and working class sensibility. Even in this “artist who sounds like” purgatory, Bentall seemed intent on a path different from that of his corporate overlords, yet the nature of that path was always somewhat opaque. Now, after more than 20 years of some measure of fame in Canada, The Inside Passage is the clearest sense that Bentall has given of his own voice and sense. The arrangements, imagery, and atmospheres captured reflect his relatively recent move to the cattle ranch, and to the somewhat romantic if idyllic themes of that life and work. Listen to the title track and “Disappearning”, and the listener will hear a mature, vibrant voice finally clear of useless comparison....full text |
| Allgigs |
| Canadian Country rocker Barney Bentall has quite possibly made his best work to date with this uplifting set of easy going fun country tracks, his seventh studio album. From the start it comes across as a happier brother album to Neil Young's 'Prairie Wind' and quite often the quality found within comes close to matching his fellow Canadian. 'Hold My Heart' and 'Sending Out A Message' are both joyful tracks set out in different ways, the former up-tempo and easy to dance to and the latter just beautiful to listen to in its acoustic simplicity and bare bone vocal performance. 'On This Beautiful Night' is again resplendent from start to finish, easy to get into and relate to and featuring some pitch perfect Country music structure. 'The Inside Passage' is more elegiac in tone but still has much joy buried within. It also features a beautifully played Pedal Steel. 'Face To Face' is peerless in its mastery of song writing technique. Only to my mind have 'Nickel Creek' been able to emote so much from a sparse vocal and occasional burst of fiddle. Magnificent. 'Catch That Train' is another great foot stomper followed by 'I Never Meant To Make You Cry', a song that Will Oldham would be proud to have in his collection. 'Papa Henry's Boy' is just steeped in good old fashioned country roots, perfect for a barn dance! 'She Ran Away' is another top example of utilising the minimal to create maximum emotional effect. It is yet another song on this album that leaves the hairs on your neck stand on end. The final track 'Disappearing' is a suitable ending, as emotionally packed as the rest of the album and as excellently arranged with beautiful acoustic picks and violin wavers. To sum up, wow. An album packed with simple, uplifting and heart rendering lyrics mixed with a great vocal and even more magnificent music, it is THE country album of the year. Do yourself a favour, get this man's album....full text |
| Themusiccritic |
| The Inside Passage is the 3rd solo studio release from Bentall. In a previous incarnation he was the front man of The Legendary Hearts, who had considerable success in their native Canada, before leaving to start a cattle ranch. Thankfully for us Bentall could not resist the lure of the music industry. The Inside Passage mixes pop melodies with Americana while taking a detour for some blues, country and rock all pulled together by Bentall's expressive voice and some lovely warm production. Album opener Hold My Heart is an upbeat country rocker that is a slice of summer in music form. The first thing that struck me when the singing started was how much Bentall's voice sounds uncannily like Bap Kennedy. There is also a lot of similarities musically between the two. Both know how to craft a song and have a penchant for the melancholy in their lyrics....full text |
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