Here in Canada, where the weather tends to thwart porch-pickin' for much of the year and people are as likely to be found huddling ‘round the wood stove, informal musical gatherings often occur in the kitchen, the true heart of most homes.  And Montreal-based Kitchen Shakers, a meeting of musical minds between old friends Kevin Mark and Dale Boyle, deliver kitchen music at its roof-rattling, shack-shaking finest.

Boyle and Mark are both veterans of Quebec's vibrant musical landscape, usually busy with ongoing projects of their own.   Here they join forces for a exuberant, rollicking romp through the roots.  Kicking off with "Shake Your Kitchen Down," the band's (obvious) theme song (and an irresistible foot-stomper to boot!), ending with a captivating arrangement of "House Of The Rising Sun" that seems to ride the same dusty, time-worn rails as Arlo Guthrie's immortal "City Of New Orleans," the disc is suffused with the sheer elation these gentlemen find in making music together.

Backed by drummer Rob Marcheterre and propelled by Mike Reilly's doghouse bass, the two tear through a set that ranges from  the diesel-fuelled drive of a trio of rockabilly rave-ups, Boyle's "If I Come Back" and "Travelin' Bone" and Mark's "She's Mine," to pure heartbreak honky-tonk on "So Blue Without You," Boyle's surprisingly effective re-working of a tune originally written as a jump blues by Mark.  There's the Cajun-seasoned  "Je T'aimerai Pour Tout L'Temps," the easy-going country lope of "Crack In The Pavement," and a jaunty ditty (with kazoo, no less!) called "Tenessee."  Mark shows his talents as arranger with a stunning take on "St. James Infirmary," while Boyle does the same with the traditional "Froggie Went A Courtin'" - both tunes can be overly familiar but here they work remarkably well.

Mark and Boyle are equally effective vocalists, Boyle's somewhat world-weary delivery an ideal contrast to Mark's smooth and powerful pipes, and both contribute guitars and an assortment of stringed instruments.  (Mark also plays drums, his first instrument, on "Rising Sun").  Assorted guests provide occasional touches of piano, banjo, fiddle, and pedal steel for texture.

Perhaps it's the particular chemistry of the kitchen, but somehow everything here sounds distinctly Canadian.  Material may be rooted in Southern soil, but the unmistakable impression is of true friends gathering ‘round to share the warmth and the sheer joy of song.   Picture a stove crackling in the corner while the winds howl outside and you've got a collection as Canadian as maple syrup and Mounties...

Infectious and irresistible, this one's very highly recommended ...!