EVERY WHISPER IS A SHOUT ACROSS THE VOID
Fish & Bird
Fiddlehead Records
8.5-out-of-10
There is a reason folk music will exist forever, and why it is truly the foundation of all other genres, and the reason is exemplified by the music of a band such as Fish & Bird.
This is music which begs you to listen to it more than once.
The first time you kind of get lost in the beat of a song such as Effigy.
Then the next time you start to be drawn into the lyrics.
These are pure folk lyrics and that as always is high praise. There are images swirling in the words. There are stories being shared.
Fish & Bird has Taylor Ashton on lead vocals, and he draws you into the stories on songs such as Well Run Dry and Winnipeg, among others. Both are wonderful songs.
Ashton is joined by Ryan Boeur, Zoe Guigueno, Adam Iredale-Gray and Ben Kelly, all playing a range of instruments and given full rein on a predominantly instrumental piece such as Circle Tune.
It will take one listen to understand why Fish & Bird's latest is a nominee at this year's Western Canadian Music Awards; one of five finalists for Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year.
The second listen will have you thinking they have to be a favourite to win the award.
This definitely is a disk to have and enjoy.
Check it out at www.fishandbird.ca
- CALVIN DANIELS
YOU ARE HERE
Gomie
Indie
6.5-out-of-10
You Are Here is a disk I have to say had me furrowing my brow quizzically on more than one occasion.
To start with there is the name Gomie, which turns out is sort of a nickname for singer Dave Wasyliw because people struggle to pronounce his last name, something he wanted to avoid as a performer. That tells you one thing, he doesn't perform here in Yorkton where Wasyliw would be rated one of the easier names to get the tongue around.
Then there is the disk.
You Are Here is among six finalist for Country Recording of the Year at this year's Western Canadian Music Awards.
Now I know the world of country is an expansive one these days, but in the case of Gomie we have country that is a bit on the edge.
It's a bit like Garth Brooks and Lulu for To Sir With Love had a child and the result was country with pop overtones all over the CD.
Is that a bad thing?
To be honest I am still not real sure about that.
It is different enough that I give Wasyliw credit for seeing country in broader terms than most of us would.
There are songs here radio will like; This Is My Life, likely being the one finding it most easily to the airways.
Wheatfield Soul is interesting, but at just one-minute it's simply a tease of an intro.
Then there is Barber Shop, it starts out like a pop song, has folkish lyrics, and tosses in a country chorus. Interesting for sure.
I will credit those with the WCMA for seeing music in a way which allows a disk like You Are Here to be considered for an award. It's good to see a willingness to see something not expected as having its own merit.
And that is why I recommend this CD too. It is different. Different is good. Give it a chance, and check it out at www.gomie.ca
- CALVIN DANIELS
Past reviews are archived online at http://calmardan.blogspot.com/
