From: owner-navy-soup-digest@smoe.org (navy-soup-digest) To: navy-soup-digest@smoe.org Subject: navy-soup-digest V2 #37 Reply-To: navy-soup@smoe.org Sender: owner-navy-soup-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-navy-soup-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk navy-soup-digest Thursday, April 1 1999 Volume 02 : Number 037 In This Digest: ----------------- Northern Sounds Showcase [Steve I ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 19:47:40 -0500 From: Steve I Subject: Northern Sounds Showcase Sorry for the crossposting, folks... First off, thanks so much to everyone who came and supported us and our artists. It's you guys who make it all possible, and make it fun too. That may sound like a cliche but when you organize one of these things you realize just how elusive and valuable supporters are. You're a rare and wonderful bunch, and generous too, we raised over $150 for our artists just by passing a hat. It's a shame we didn't pass it earlier when we had a standing room only crowd going out into the hall! Anyway it turned out to be quite a magical evening, as each of our young sirens played a wonderful set. Jessica was even better than last time, and her new songs reflect her growing confidence and maturity in her craft. She really is blossoming into a terrific artist. She's also already showing a terrific generosity to her fellow young songwriters, offering part of her set to a newcomer to our stage, Trish. Trish was a welcome surprise. I really had no idea what to expect because I'd never heard her stuff before, never even heard anyone *describe* it before. So when she got up and did 3 gorgeous songs (2 more than initially planned), it was an extremely delightful surprise. Hailing from Detroit, she's proof that a beautiful flower can bloom in the harshest of landscapes. I look forward to hearing her upcoming CD. Rayanne gets better every time I see her. So young, and yet already such a talented songwriter and performer. She's so good it's scary really. That is literally true for the guitars she plays, which are in mortal danger after every song. It's becoming a trademark. I think she's self-conscious about it but personally I find it endearing! But it's really unfair of me to poke fun of her for it because it takes the focus away from where it should be, which is on her beautiful songs and wonderful voice. James and I are also indebted to her for doing so many extra songs on a night when we were running way ahead of schedule. Rebecca Timmons was a revelation. I don't think it quite hit me that "wow, we got *Rebecca Timmons*" until we did the soundcheck and she started into "Up the Walls of the World", one of my favourites from her CD. Good thing James was working the board because I was too busy being entranced. I came out of it to find both James and Rebecca looking at me questioningly, and somehow managed to stammer "er, yeah, it sounds good"... which is perhaps as big an understatement as I've ever made. It would be different if I was used to seeing her play live but before then I'd only ever seen her play two songs, so it was incredible to have her play one of my favourite songs just for James and me. During the show Rebecca mostly tried out new stuff from her upcoming CD, _The Turing Event_, which promises to be a great disc. If it sounds like I'm gushing about all our artists, it's because I am. To borrow a phrase from Heather Pollock (Sarah Slean's manager), when you do one of these things, it's like a mild warm-up for being a parent. I think all my kids did great. :-) And all you Toronto folks, be sure to let us know if you have any requests for future showcases. It's still fun for us, I know all our previous artists are interested in doing more, and the Free Times people still like us, so as long as you guys keep coming out, this series of showcases could go on for awhile! Julian has already mentioned Lenni Jabour. Anyone else with a wish list? Steve ------------------------------ End of navy-soup-digest V2 #37 ******************************