Marc Doiron CD review: TIME IS PRECIOUS By: Dan Brisebois Cape Breton native Marc Doiron has been entertaining live audiences for half his life. After graduating from St Francis Xavier with honours & a degree in music, he spent his time learning the live side of his craft and working in various theatre productions. He received Honorable Mention for his writing in the 2001 Billboard Songwriting Contest. Since ’99 he’s worked in a 2-man show called ‘Dueling Pianos’ where alot of the emphasis is put on crowd interaction. Ironically in his debut album TIME IS PRECIOUS, it’s the ‘live feel’ he and brother Dan have captured in the production that sticks out most. Also handling all instruments except voilin parts, they’ve managed to create an album that a person can actually relate to. From the lead-off “Going Home” they’ve brought out Marc’s undeniable ability to reach into his emotions and deliver a finely-crafted generally upbeat album that fits right in with most modern radio formats. On the whole this is just an exceptionally-worked piece of pop that’s true to the artist and honest in the messages he conveys. Songs like “A Little Faith” with its mandolin bring an honesty to the music that isn’t overshadowed by glitzy over-production – same can be said for “Someone Like You”, “Living For The Moment” or “Stay With Me”. The tenderness in “Better Days To Come” & “Always Believe In Us” make this disc a genuine gem in a pile of unpolished rocks on the shelves these days. This album is polished! And gleaming out there are of course a few tracks that are just plain exceptional. Everyone’s going to have their own favourites, but fact is there really isn’t a bad track on the disc. “God’s Little Gift” is the most tender track – a piano-laden number about a couple bringing a new life into theirs. The song is typical of the majority of them in that it brings out an honesty that for the most part seems lacking in today’s music. The piano is Marc’s weapon of choice, with an arsenal of melodies held together with gentle guitar and keyboard caresses. There’s enough firepower in the album for Marc to go far, given a break or two. Every song has its own merits and there really isn’t a bad cut to be found. With the ever-intermingling of genres, you shouldn’t be surprised if a couple of songs aren’t put to video and appear on CMT. He’s not country, but then neither is the station. But it would be a perfect avenue for Marc’s music. His obvious love for his craft make it such an appealing disc you really can’t go wrong with it. |