“‘The Only Love I Know’ comes from the tradition of the country waltzes of Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, and Bob Wills—using a traditional instrumentation of guitar, fiddle, upright bass, and drums with backing vocals from Danni Nicholls.
Musically the song is sweet and sentimental, but it becomes less and less clear throughout the song whether the narrator is referring to a long time love, a past love, or a love that was never was. Like many of the songs on No Sign of Love or Farewell, ‘The Only Love I Know’ reworks a traditional American musical form to create a story and sound that is new and modern.”
—Pete Lanctot
Pete Lanctot and The Stray Dogs preach the gospel of true Americana.
It seems New York is experiencing another country/folk revival, perhaps not as revolutionary as the East Village boom during the ’60s, but noteworthy nonetheless. One of the most authentic voices in this happening scene belongs to Pete Lanctot whose song “The Only Love I Know” is premiering here, exclusively.
Lanctot’s lilting and bittersweet delivery is a perfect counterweight to the weeping production of the song. Female harmonies join in to nail the warm sentiment of the chorus and fiddles rise up when the words die down to blanket the track in a sweet serenity. It is both ethereal and earthbound, reminding one of the spacious magic of true American traditional music. Pete’s new album, No Sign Of Love or Farewell is available for preorder now.
