David Deacon

He’s a singer-songwriter, poet, former champion racecar driver, painter, entrepreneur, and an example of how to live life, really live it. Now in his 70s, David Deacon’s fifth album, Good Day Good Night (due Oct. 6), is a collection of stories that reflect on the crashes and burns and dust-yourself-off recoveries we all experience to varying degrees. He tells them with the intensity of someone who has often paid a big price for his choices: They have a visceral realism, a sort of inevitability, a touch of humour, and maybe even a fondness for the losses.

From the lead track and bluesy first single, “Soldiers of the Universe,” to the anthemic “Moments of Joy” and wistful focus track “And They All Sang Along,” David’s sound is distinct, his gravelly voice and delivery not unlike Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Robbie Robertson or even Louis Armstrong.