Album Review: Little Leaf from Chris McKhool

 

Album:  Little Leaf
Artist:  Chris McKhool
Release Date: November 7, 2025
Label:  Fontana North
Website:  https://fiddlefire.com
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/11AvH7YR2OQ

One of Canada's most prolific songwriters, singers, and guitarists/violinists, Chris McKhool of Sultans of String and Fiddle Fire notoriety, has emerged with a nature loving, family fun, sing-along medley of catchy jazz folk-induced pop tunes for his 2025 release Little Leaf.  A disc of 11 songs that celebrate planet Earth and the connection all living creatures and their families have to it.

Participating in the jamboree are Kevin Laliberté (guitar), Drew Birston (guitar) and Saskia Tomkins (violin and fiddle) from Sultans of String.  In addition, the recording encapsulates appearances by special guests: Marito Marques (drums), Rebecca Campbell (singer), Chris Coole (banjo), Chris and Ken Whiteley (guitars), Doug Banwell (saxophone, flute, and clarinet), Ernie Tollar (woodwind and reed instruments), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), and a children’s chorus.

In the vane of jazz folk master Django Reinhardt with sprinkles of uplifting prairieland-country swells liken to John Denver, soulful folk musings relatable to Harry Chapin, and a rollicking, Celtic-imbued pop folk sonorous reflective of Gordon Lightfoot, McKhool's collection is an irresistible listen.   The country folk threads of "Plant a Tree" are finely woven, transitioning into the Mariachi style horns embroidered through "Miracle in My Backyard", catacomb in McKhool's playfully nuanced vocals, punctuating the lyrics with a child-like frolic.

The hip hop strut of his vocals jutting across "Cosmic Storm" are canopied by funky jazz grooves, a fluttering flute, and booming horns, completing the jovial scene.   The country folk pop saunter of "Little Leaf" has a breezy flare brimming with merriment, switching to a catchy bluegrass swing trot along "A Place in the Choir", driven by the flouncy banjo strums.  McKhool muses, "All God's critters have a place in the choir / some sing low and some sing high / some sing out loud on a telephone wire / some just clap their hands."  

The joyful romping continues with the uplifting ambience sparking "Five Great Lakes Song", hewn into a whirling square dance pattern.  The folk pop vibe of "Magic Maple" shrouds the listener in a sing-along chant, turning into a folk rock bellow along "Walk and Roll".   The funky bluegrass grooves accenting "Rivers, Lakes & Seas" segue into the smooth Celtic-imbued mist of "Hungry", closing with the folk pop ripples of "Won't You Buy Me a Pony", perched in shimmery guitar strings and wispy vocals.

A Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient for creating community through music and 3x Parent’s Choice Award Winner, Chris McKhool has crafted a distinctive niche for himself as a family-oriented motivator and environmentally conscience artist. A quintessential jazz folk poet and balladeer, McKhool's ministrations affect audiences positively, earning the appellation of a music maker who reaches every generation.

Musicians:

Chris McKhool - guitar and violin
Kevin Laliberté - guitar 
Drew Birston - guitar
Saskia Tomkins - violin and fiddle
Marito Marques - drums
Rebecca Campbell - vocals singer 
Chris Coole - banjo
Chris and Ken Whiteley - guitars
Doug Banwell - saxophone, flute, and clarinet
Ernie Tollar - woodwind and reed instruments
Kevin Turcotte - trumpet
Children’s Chorus