What makes Home in Halifax by Stan Rogers notable?

Home in Halifax is notable for its deep cultural resonance within Canadian folk music, showcasing Rogers' storytelling prowess and earning critical acclaim upon release. The album features the beloved track 'Barrett's Privateers', which has become an anthem within the genre and continues to influence aspiring folk musicians today. Released in 1988, Home in Halifax was Stan Rogers' last studio album before his untimely death the following year. At this point in his career, he had already established himself as a prominent figure in Canadian folk music, with several acclaimed albums under his belt. This album serves as a poignant reflection of his artistic journey and connection to Canada’s maritime culture.

How many songs are on Home in Halifax?

Home in Halifax has 19 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Home in Halifax

Stan Rogers

64 min · 19 tracks · folk music

A rich tapestry of storytelling woven through folk melodies, evoking the spirit of maritime life and Canadian heritage.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Barrett's Privateers — This track stands out for its spirited narrative about youthful ambition and loss, encapsulating the essence of maritime folklore with a singalong chorus.
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Mary Ellen Carter — A powerful tale of resilience and remembrance, this song showcases Rogers' ability to blend personal struggle with broader themes of community and hope.
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Field Behind the Plow — This track reflects on rural life with vivid imagery and emotional depth, highlighting Rogers' skill in capturing the beauty of ordinary experiences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends storytelling with folk melodies, showcasing strong craftsmanship but varying cohesion due to dialogue interludes.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate traditional folk instrumentation, such as acoustic guitar and fiddle, which are prominent in the arrangements.
The pacing varies significantly; most songs maintain a steady tempo while the dialogues interspersed throughout create pauses that shift the album's flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Bluenose 4:02
2 Make and Break Harbour 4:26
3 Field Behind the Plow 4:26
4 Shriner Cows (dialogue) 1:54
5 Night Guard 3:15
6 Morris Dancers (dialogue) 2:17
7 The Idiot 2:52
8 Lies 5:40
9 Free in the Harbour 3:56
10 Band Introductions (dialogue) 0:42
11 Working Joe 3:47
12 The Legend of Fingal (dialogue) 2:39
13 Giant 3:36
14 45 Years 3:43
15 Mary Ellen Carter Intro (dialogue) 0:27
16 Mary Ellen Carter 5:11
17 Barrett's Privateers 4:51
18 Sailor's Rest Intro (dialogue) 0:24
19 Sailor's Rest 5:44

What to play next

Listen next

Fogarty's Cove

1977

Full Stan Rogers discography Artists like Stan Rogers

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata