Michael Franti & Spearhead: The Sound of Sunshine

If you’ve been looking for an effective and affordable mood stabilizer, here is your prescription. Raised by a Finnish American couple in California, Michael Franti, is an American singer/songwriter of Irish, German, French, African and Native American heritage. His music is as eclectic as his pedigree. Franti and his band Spearhead are known for their genre-bending fusion of funk, reggae, hip-hop, jazz, folk and rock.

On the scene since the 80s, Franti forged a name for himself through his charismatic sound, undeniable sex appeal and his outspoken social activism. Some of his causes include his dedicated advocacy for peace in the Middle East as well as throwing his support behind the 2008 Obama campaign. It was not until his eighth album, Rebel Rocker, did Franti finally experience a hit single with Say Hey, I Love You.

While enjoying success from this chart-topping 2009 album, Franti suddenly found himself in the hospital with a ruptured appendix. It was while in recovery that many of his latest compositions were penned. Taking from both the pain he observed in the world and the internal pain he faced during weeks of hospitalization, Franti transformed darkness into musical sunbeams. Out came lyrics laced with determined optimism like “they can take away my job / but not my friends you see” from the title track and “hey, hey, hey, no matter how life is today / there’s just one thing that I got to say / I won’t let another moment slip away” from his social commentary fueled Hey, Hey, Hey. Three weeks later, Franti was discharged from the hospital with incurable happiness and it’s highly contagious.

Feeling mad, bad or sad?
http://www.myspace.com/michaelfranti

The Once

Once, in 2004, three humble thespians, working at the Tide Theatre in Trinity, Newfoundland, bonded over their mutual love for music. Soon, Geraldine Hollett (vocals, tambourine), Phil Churchill (vocals, guitar, suitcase, mandolin, violin) and Andrew Dale (vocals, bodhran, banjo, bouzouki, organ, accordion...okay we get it you're talented) discovered their mutual love for folk music and came together to form a melodious trio. Five years later their self-titled debut was born.

The Once offers twelve cover tracks that include traditional favorites from Newfoundland, the British Isles, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. While The Once may not pen any of the work found on their album (with the exception of Nell’s Waltz, composed by Dale) they do, however, possess enough idiosyncrasies in their arrangements to make a sound for themselves. The Once offers a different take on the Atlantic Standards, abandoning the exuberant foot stomping that is so quintessential to our East Coast bands, The Once offers a far more intimate take on the pastoral ballads. They never compromise the Celtic tinge that is heard throughout the heartbreaking ruggedness of Nell’s Song and the nautical farewell Sail Away to the Sea, a beautifully simplistic version of the Tom Wait’s Briar and the Rose. Most impressive, is their intimate understanding of how each ballad should be presented. This wisdom is especially evident in their a cappella cover of Cohen’s Coming Back To You, one song that easily stands alone.

Their album and performances have already brought them significant success, earning them four Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards in 2009, a nomination for an East Coast Music Award in 2010, as well as a Galaxie Rising Star Award in Ontario. In September 2010, their album was re-released by roots label Borealis Record Company.

The Once roved Toronto's Queen St. this past week to perform at the historic Gladstone Hotel. The band returns to the Rock now to cover a few more shows in their home province before departing for their UK Tour with fellow-musician Amelia Curran.

To listen to more of The Once:

http://www.myspace.com/nowtheonce

It’s hard not to take some sort of disturbing pleasure in listening to title track of The Ghost Who Walks. The combination of a delicately dark organ accompanying a sinister libretto about a spirit, recently done in by her lover, on the prowl, would be perfect for a film noir soundtrack.

The Ghost Who Walks is the debut album of the model, musician and vintage boutique owner, Karen Elson. Originally from Greater Manchester, England, she currently resides – with husband Jack White - in Nashville, Tennessee. After such an introduction, one may fabricate a few (incorrect) conclusions surrounding this artist: First, several critics have credited Elson’s husband for her musical abilities; since the White Stripes front man is also the album’s producer and drummer. These melodic roots, however, date back several years before meeting said husband. Elson is one of the founding members of The Citizens Band, a dynamic cabaret group out of New York City. Second, people have been known to cringe at another “model turned…something that requires skill”. But why? The Ghost Who Walks provides audible proof that beauty and talent are not mutually exclusive.

Elson's sound brings together a brilliantly sewn quilt of cabaret, vintage, indie-country and folk songs. Her compositions range from the spooky and avant-garde, The Ghost Who Walks and The Truth Is In The Dirt, to the Nashville influenced Mouths To Feed, to the almost revue sounding 100 Years From Now. With the exception of Lunasa, written and composed by The Citizens Band member Rachelle Garniez, Elson also penned the lyrics to her compositions. Songs include themes of love, betrayal, jealousy, destitution and murder, all in a less personal, but more theatrical sense. This album is a promising one-of-a-kind, if an analogy could be would be a species of Neko Case meets female Nick Cave.

To listen to more Karen Elson:

http://www.karenelson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/karenelsonmusic

J.R. Shore: Talkin' On A Bus

The first track on J.R. Shore’s Talkin' on a Bus explodes into what can only be described as an Americana cabaret. This album offers a custom recipe of traditional folk instruments - guitars, banjos and harmonicas - with a few special ingredients – a perfectly placed organ and just a dash of tuba. The lyrics, which range from humorous anecdotes to heartfelt stories of everyday survivors, are the perfect topping; especially performed with Shore’s cracker-barrel vocals, best described as a Lyle Lovett meets a pre-1980s Tom Waits.

Talkin’ on a Bus is definitely a staple for lovers of Western Canadian music. It offers a harmonious blend of folk and country, but you can even sense the influence of old time gospel on Jesus Rodriguez. While Shore and his band prove to be inimitable artists, you can still hear classic influences shine through, giving you the feeling that you’ve been listening to this album for years. If you’re a fan of songs like Chuck Berry’s You Never Can Tell or Tom Petty’s Here Comes My Girl, you will find a new favourite here.

Recently released July 20th, this is the second album from the Calgary, Alberta based singer/songwriter J.R. Shore, offering twelve original songs plus a golden tribute to Blaze Foley’s Christian Woman Talkin’ on a Bus. To enjoy songs from Shore’s Talkin’ on a Bus, and from his debut An Impeccable Shine, check out the links below:

http://www.jrshore.com/music.html
http://www.myspace.com/jrshore

Danny Michel: Sunset Sea

“Wish Willy / I wish I was Willy / Make sure you say HI to Willy for me”.

Well, Danny Michel has done it again. The 9th album from the Waterloo, Ontario native – Sunset Sea - is perfect. Released this past Canada Day, this is the perfect summer album with its mix of daydreams, vacations and life lessons.

This DIY artist crosses many genres with his folk/pop/rock sound. Listening to the strumming guitars, banjos and claps and stomps that accompany many of his songs makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire with your best friends.

It’s his lyrics, however, that will make you fall in love with Danny. I had always pegged Danny as a kind of social and environmental activist (especially after listening to Feather, Fur and Fin). This concern for people and places continues on Sunset Sea in cuts like Maybe You Can Find It In your Heart, Who’s Gonna Miss You? and When I’m You. At the same time, Danny’s sense of humour cannot help but shine through on these tracks. You will hear an even more optimistic and playful Danny in more lighthearted tracks like Wish Willy. Overall, his songs are as personable as his performances.

Listen for Canadian musician Sarah Harmer on Binary Star.

http://www.dannymichel.com/newsite/welcome.html
http://www.myspace.com/dannymichel
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Danny-Michel

Kyrie Kirstmanson: Origin of the Stars

Canadian musician Kyrie Kirstmanson has released her third album, Origin of the Stars, recorded on the Parisian label NoFormat!. This is truly an amazing find. Her voice is both soulful and quirky: picture a hybrid of Bjork, Feist and Joni Mitchell. Her sound is equally as difficult to categorize: a kind of avant-garde jazz meets folk.

When listening to songs like The Holy, Song For A Blackwind and Birdsong you can picture yourself at an outdoor summer folk festival. While Song X, Eruption and Comet of Desire should be enjoyed in a dimly lit, smoky jazz bar on a rainy night. (Even as a non-smoker, I firmly believe that smoking should be legalized for specific musical performances…for ambiance purposes of course).

With increasing recognition, including an Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for Song X, Kyrie’s unique and beautiful style should reach more and more ears.

To hear Kyrie follow the links below:

http://www.myspace.com/kyriekristmanson
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Kyrie-Kristmanson

Inaugural Review: Justin Rutledge

If you do not listen to Justin Rutledge already, now is a very good time to start. His fourth album, The Early Widows, made this year's Polaris Long List.

While he is often categorized as country, fans of indie and alternative rock will also appreciate Rutledge's unique and organic sound. The album’s first cut, Be a Man, co-written by Michael Ondaatje, captivated me in immediately. With its earthy sound combined with almost heartbreakingly intimate lyrics, this song made my world stand still for its entirety. The bittersweet band and poignant poetry carries on through the ten tracks (all of which are perfectly arranged by Hawksley Workman).

After listening one does begin to wonder, what exactly made Justin so sad? However, at the same time, really appreciate his articulate melancholy. This album is perfect to listen to calm a frustrating commute or to illuminate a dark place.

You can listen to and find more information on Rutledge at the following:

http://www.justinrutledge.com/
http://www.myspace.com/justinrutledge
http://www.sixshooterrecords.com/six_site/six_www.html
http://radio3.cbc.ca/