From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V10 #43 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Friday, February 13 2004 Volume 10 : Number 043 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Thea -- Unplugged in London ["Adam K." ] Jorane ["neal copperman" ] Merri-May Gill ["neal copperman" ] Veda sightings ["neal copperman" ] Heather Duby and then the up coming folk alliance ["London, Sherry" Subject: Thea -- Unplugged in London First off, I need to set something straight: in a previous posting regarding Thea, I described here voice, I believe, as "limited". I'd like to take this opportunity to take this back, totally absolutely and unreservedly. I've always thought her voice had a tendency towards a certain deadpan style, but last night blew all those preconceptions away. Thea played the Bush Hall, a small and rather formal-looking venue which, with its elaborate chandeliers, looks more like a recital room or, even, a functions room for weddings, barmitzvah's, etc. This was an eccentric, off-the-beaten track kind of gig, with Thea opening with a "Juliet" B-side, "Catch the Bouquet", which pretty much set the pace. Apart from a few programmed drum beats (they were minus a drummer) and the presence of an electric guitar, at one point only, it was very much an acoustic gig, which suited the space perfectly. More b-sides, "You Tell Me" from the "As If" EP, a swathe from her covers album, "LoftMusic" -- offbeat but utterly enchanting. It was during her cover of Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" that I totally reappraised my opinion of her voice -- she sang it with such...such....soul, with suching aching longing, that my socks melted. Other joys included a heart-stopping version of "God Knows", which saw Thea playing piano (at this point, about FIVE FEET from me) and acoustic, vibrant, joyous versions of "Heart String Blues" and "This Girl Is Taking Bets", as well as a new song that didn't get a name. Throughout all of this she was accompanied, in various combinations, by Nigel Stonier on guitar/piano, Jim Kirkpatrick guitar/piano, and Mike Cave on percussion/keyboards/samples, but for a final encore came on alone and, a capella, sang "The Parting Glass", an Irish traditional song I'd never heard before. Stunning, absolutely stunning -- one of those vocal performances so pure, so true and so beautiful that it brings the tears to your eyes. Special mention, I feel, should go to opening act Mary Lee's Corvette, a rather clumsy band name for Mary Lee Cortes. Apparently, she and her guitarist stepped in at the last minute, and they were brilliant. She's got a belter of a voice, great tunes and sharp, witty lyrics, and the best comparison I could come up with is a sort of Eliza Gilkysson/Jess Klein kinda thing. I was impressed enough to pick her cd up on the way back, and look forward to hearing it -- definitely worth checking out. And remember, Thea's comin' to America. adam k. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 01:08:41 -0000 From: "neal copperman" Subject: Jorane Just noticed this tidbit on the Jorane web page. Anyone have any info? "Montreal release date Tuesday Februray 3rd 04. It's what fans have been waiting for! A new Jorane album entitled Evapore. A first of two, Evapore is a six song EP featuring brand new compositions by Jorane, with the exception of Pour ton sourire, a new song written by Daniel Lanois, who also lends his voice and guitar to the recording." There is also an album called Jorane that I am not familiar with, though it looks like it just compiles songs from previous albums that I have. And somethings called Je n'aime que toi, with no info provided. Both available from amazon.ca. (Evapore is listed as number 83.) neal ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 01:20:13 -0000 From: "neal copperman" Subject: Merri-May Gill Last year at Folk Alliance, Jeff discovered Merri-May Gill as part of the Aussie Crockpot (the freewheeling showcase of Australian artists). He dragged me over to see her the next day and her set wasn't as compelling as the one he saw. But it did show a lot of promise. A few months ago, he lent me her CD (This Is ... Merri-May Gill) and it was an immediate winner. Catchy pop mixed with smokey jazz (of the scatty variety, not the Norah Jones vein). She's fun and clever, her voice soars and swoops, and several of her songs tilt in the humorous vein, but retain a strong enough sense of melody and purpose that they don't get old on repeated listenings. The album fulfilled her promise quite nicely and makes me eager to see her again. (http://www.merrimaygill.com) Which I'll get to at Folk Alliance in San Diego at the end of the month. Any ectofolk going to be in attendance? Crashing is highly recommended if you are in the area, and I will be happy to provide detailed crashing instructions off-list if anyone is interested. neal ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 01:23:33 -0000 From: "neal copperman" Subject: Veda sightings I hadn't heard anything in a while, so I curiously checked her web site. And what I saw made me wonder if I'd be able to fit a Seattle/Vancouver visit into my life in April. Check this out... All at the Vancouver East Cultural Center, where Auditorium was recorded. Apr 1, 2004 scrappy bitches rise again: veda, oh susanna and kinnie starr Apr 2, 2004 hard rubber orchestra with guests veda, ford pier, and the buttless chaps Apr 3, 2004 ron sexsmith, dan goldman, with veda hosting Apr 4, 2004 veda and her band, p:ano, and other I'm sure meth will be hopping on a plane so as not to miss the chance to see ron sexmsith and veda playing together :) neal ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 22:16:33 -0800 From: "London, Sherry" Subject: Heather Duby and then the up coming folk alliance I just got the new Heather Duby....so different from her first CD. I ordered it and it took months to get it, I think it was worth the wait!! Any one on this list heading to San Diego for the Folk Alliance???? I would love to meet some of you all for a coffee and a show case. I know one of my new favs, Full Frontal Folk are putting on at least 4 showcases, I encourage you all to take a minute to hear them. It will be first time for me seeing them live and we are going to meet after for a drink...anyone want to join us..... Sherry This e-mail/fax message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail/fax and destroy all copies of the original message. ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V10 #43 **************************