John Dorsch “Elevates” His Game With Latest Album Offering

John Dorsch’s latest album, Elevation, demonstrates why the veteran musician has been a fixture of the Ottawa Valley music scene for decades. With fifteen tracks of meticulously crafted folk rock/Americana, Dorsch invites us to experience a captivating journey through his world.

Dorsch skillfully merges traditional sounds with modern flourishes, drawing inspiration from greats like Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Rush, The Beatles, Jerry Reed and Merle Travis. On the title track, he captivates with a fingerstyle guitar system, showcasing the melodic strengths of his playing without ever getting too showy. A number of tracks feature Dorsch’s wife Dani Baribeau on African Djembe drum and percussion, as well as harmony vocals, while others feature Paul Johnson on mandolin and bouzouki and Bonny Skiffington on harmony vocals.

The album has a diverse range of moods, from the upbeat and uplifting opener “Elevation” to the ethereal “Save Just One Life.” The lush melodies of “Dragonfly” highlight Dorsch’s fondness for the natural world, while “Seasons” and “Fort Hemlock” show off his instrumental prowess. “Nothing to Lose” and “Compromises” are highlights, with the former sporting one of the album’s best arrangements and the latter showing off Dorsch’s near-spoken word delivery. “On My Way to Mexico” is an uplifting late-album standout, and the finale “Down at the Lake” features an intense rock guitar full of emotion.

Elevation is a sprawling, ambitious collection of folk rock/Americana from a masterful artist. Dorsch’s blend of traditional and modern influences result in a captivating album that is sure to please both casual and devoted music listeners alike.