Not every songwriter can pull off lyrics about Nigel Calder books, duct tape, and WD-40. Canadian singer-songwriter Eileen Quinn can and does, in her fourth CD, Not to be Used For Navigation. Her lyrics and her sentiments leave no doubt that she is a sailor first and a singer second. From Quinn’s cover photograph taken from the spreaders, through a dozen insightful songs about the frequent joys, too-common frustrations, and the sometime loneliness of cruising, this is a CD that will resonate with any sailor.
“A Sailor’s Daughter” is a poignant song about the deep relationship between an aging father and the daughter he taught to sail. Probably autobiographical, the song will powerfully touch any father-daughter crew. Another favorite is “He Don’t Love Me (Like He Loves His Boat”). Quinn sings about a woman agonizing over her man’s infidelity. He’s gone all weekend, he’s coming home late, and finally at night he calls out her name . . . the name of his boat. Many spouses of good old boaters will commiserate with her inability to “compete with this plastic romance.” It is a funny and very clever song, although perhaps too close to the truth to be enjoyed by everyone.
A solo performer is challenged to keep her songs from sounding too similar, even when the lyrics range from hose burns to going home. Eileen Quinn shines brightest when harmonizing with herself, and so her music begs for a duet. I’d like to suggest a collaboration with Jimmy Buffett. He, and we, would enjoy the humor and irony in her songwriting.
Eileen Quinn’s Ovation guitar and her resonant voice put to music the real experience of cruising. While it was difficult truly appreciating this CD on the desert drive from home in Tucson to the boat in San Diego, when played in the cockpit, Not to be Used For Navigation was the perfect accompaniment to the subtle sounds of a boat at anchor.
Not to be Used for Navigation A Music CB By Eileen Quinn (Silverbirch Productions, 2003)
