The newest release from Norine Braun, “Cannonball,” is a gripping blend of intimacy and urgency, a slow-waltz roots-rock anthem that chugs along like a rallying heart. Recorded live in an hour from the Henhouse Pop-Up Sessions, it has a rare, glistening immediacy, and you can feel each note reverberating at that very moment right there in the studio.
“Cannonball” is a song about unity and bravery in the face of injustice. Braun’s earthy, resonant voice alternates between lead vocals and murmured harmonies, leading you through a graceful 3/4 sway, a waltz rhythm. Each line lands with a thud, underscored by her all-star band’s impeccable musicianship, Steve Dawson on guitars and pedal steel, Darryl Havers on keys, Liam MacDonald’s rock-solid drumming, Jeremy Holmes on bass, and Alice Fraser filling in with lush harmony vocals. Together, they add up to a texture that’s both inviting and assertive, and a perfect setting for Braun’s affecting storytelling.
Co-produced by Braun and the Henhouse team, engineered by Juno Award-winning Sheldon Zaharko, and mastered by Adam Popowitz, the song blends elements of folk intimacy with protest-song grit. The result is a piece of music that extends far beyond its running time, leaving listeners not just moved but motivated. On “Cannonball,” Norine Braun validates that roots-rock can carry both soul and conviction in perfect harmony.
Connect with Norine Braun on Instagram – @norinebraun
