AWARD-WINNING Canadian roots musician John Wort Hannam may not be a household name on this side of the Atlantic just yet, but fine albums such as this should help to spread the word on behalf of the Lethbridge, Alberta resident and his warm and spontaneous brand of balladry.

The current pandemic situation meant that John and his long-term producer Steve Dawson were forced to assemble Long Haul remotely but they rose to the challenge admirably, with some top-notch players supplying the instrumental backdrop.

As Hannam took the opportunity to reflect on the vagaries of the human condition via a batch of consistently compelling ditties led by What I Know Now, Hurry Up Kid and Other Side of the Curve, with former John Prine and Nanci Griffith sidekick Fats Kaplin in particuarly fine fettle on fiddle, mandolin, banjo and harmonica throughout an excellent set.