Great lyrics and vocals

BLUE BONES
Kim Beggs
Black Hen Music
8-out-of-10

Blue Bones is the latest release from Kim Beggs, a Yukon based singer-songwriter and Canadiana pioneer. Blue Bones has garnered high ratings and critical acclaim from many publications including 5 stars from Maverick Magazine in the UK and Now Magazine here in Canada. When I first checked out Beggs' website, I was a little skeptical about all of the quoted hype, until I popped the disc in the player and had my first listen.

The songs are honest and clear; familiar themes of love and loss appear frequently throughout. Beggs' vocals seem easy and effortless, and twist like the Yukon River through the musical accompaniment. Beggs collaborated with Steve Dawson, who backs her on every song on the album playing the national steel, electric slide, and weissenborn. Beggs was also backed by John Raham (drums), Keith Lowe (bass) and Chris Gestrin (keyboards), each musician adding a deep resonance to the themes of each song and creating an organic sound that suits the album well.

Any fan of Buffy St Marie, Joni Mitchell, or even Neil Young, will not be disappointed by Blue Bones, I highly recommend checking out all of Kim Beggs' music.

- SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU

LIVIN' EASY
Daniel Wesley
Indie
6-out-of-10

Vancouver's self-made singer-songwriter, Daniel Wesley, released this fifth effort in July of 2011. Elements of hard-hitting rock, alt-country, pop, and R&B all come together to build up this record. Wesley teamed up with members of Bedouin Soundclash, Vancouver's Run GMC and Hey Ocean!, as well as his regular players, bassist Darren Parris and drummer Tim Proznick. He says that this is his second collaboration and feels the experience helps him push the boundaries of what he is capable of. Easy Livin is full of experimenting, and it works. Each song takes on its own personality, has its own feeling, and never lets the album get boring.

"Vagrant's Life" takes on a very alt-country feel with its shuffle beat and slide guitar while "You and Me" carries on with more of an R&B vibe.

The album's rock anthem and opening track "Head Outta Water" hits hard and sounds full. Wesley admits that he wanted to push his limits with "Head Outta Water", branching out into full-fledged rock.

I believe this album appeals to a wide audience, and this was a smart move by Daniel Wesley. You can find it on his website at www.danielwesley.com

- SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU