From: owner-navy-soup-digest@smoe.org (navy-soup-digest) To: navy-soup-digest@smoe.org Subject: navy-soup-digest V2 #42 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 Monday, April 12 1999 Volume 02 : Number 042 In This Digest: ----------------- Sarah's Kingston show [Paul Schreiber Subject: Sarah's Kingston show From the Queen's Journal: http://www.journal.queensu.ca/126.36/content/ae4.html [what's the nasty song? --Paul] Friday, March 12 Women, Weep no more Sarah Harmer and crowd soothe the soul at Clark Concert Review By Paula Bush Candle-light, a packed house, only the sounds of drinks being served and small talk as background noise. Sound like a Friday night at Clark Hall Pub to you? I was equally surprised to find the atmosphere so laid back when I walked into Clark last Friday for the third show in the Women's Concert series, featuring Sarah Harmer of Weeping Tile. I have to admit I was unsure of what to expect, having not seen the first two shows. I quickly learned that I had missed quite a lot. The first performer was Queen's own Muredith MacNaughton, who was armed with only her guitar and powerful voice. MacNaughton began her set with a warning about her rough voice, having woken up only an hour prior to the show, before singing "Good Boy" by the Barenaked Ladies. The set consisted mostly of covers, including renditions of songs by Neil Young, Jewel, Indigo Girls and Sarah McLachlan. Although visibly nervous due to the crowd and the mysterious camera crew, MacNaughton's voice displayed a maturity far surpassing her stage presence. With vocals similar to Jewel, MacNaughton's voice ranged from light and melodic to rich and soulful. Performing new material for only the second time, MacNaughton displayed great promise with her folk-like melodies and lyrics, although at times the latter were cliché. A quiet woman sitting at her keyboard followed MacNaughton and proceeded to capture the audience with her witty autobiographical introductions and beautiful voice. Performing songs from her two-year old album Universe, Sarah Slean demonstrated a genuine expression of her music through captivating melodies maintained by her powerful voice. Introducing one particular song as her "nasty song" and explaining her philosophy on relationships as "go big or go home," Slean held a natural rapport with the audience. Having taken the year off from her studies at University of Toronto, Slean expects to release her independent full length CD in April, an album she has been working on for a year. I waited to speak with Slean after her set only to find a large roadblock - -- the line to purchase her CD. The varied crowd waited patiently for her to sign their CDs and free posters. As she borrowed my pen, I stood next to her and watched each person exclaim how much they enjoyed her performance. One girl put it best when she handed Slean her CD and said, "We came early to get seats for Sarah Harmer and we're so glad we got to see you." Next, the headliner, Kingston's own Sarah Harmer, unassumingly took the stage and with the first strains of "good fortune" was greeted with enthusiasm from the crowd. Playing a mix of her own songs from her new album Songs for Clem, and those from her group Weeping Tile, Harmer performed admirably with her smooth voice and borrowed guitar. Harmer's style ranged all over the map from guitar picking folk to soulful alternative, all glazed with a Canadian flair. With vocal stylings comparable to Sarah McLachlan, Harmer casually strummed and swayed through tunes such as "Pretty Little Cemetery" and a new song called "Lode Star," based on a D.H. Lawrence poem. Each performer contributed to the momentum that carried the show from start to finish. Although several of the tables had long since cleared by the end of Harmer's set, at 1:30 a.m. those that stayed were satisfied from a enjoyable evening of female artists that will hopefully be seen and heard again and again. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 11:51:52 -0400 From: what@ican.net (What? Management) Subject: Hello Soupers! Hi there good people... This is Heather checking in from Winnipeg with Sarah and Oh Susanna. Three days on the road (this is the start of day 4) and much driving under our belts. These ladies are great, and we're all having a blast. We're all missing Sarah Harmer, however. Somehow this doesn't seem quite complete without her. It's great to read your comments about "Songs For Clem". It's a beautiful record, and the fact that she recorded it for her dad for a Christmas present makes me want to weep. If you don't have it, get it! If it's not your cup of tea, I guarantee it will be a wonderful gift for your folks, aunt, uncle, or grandparents. Maybe it's available at sarahharmer.com for those of you who don't have access to the mighty HMV Superstore... :) The three of us attended Ms. Harmer's album release party at the Lava Lounge in Toronto the night before leaving on tour and it was fantastic! We didn't want it to end. Anyway, we're making some new friends and getting to personally meet some old ones. It's great. The weather has been delightful, and wow, what a beautiful country we live in! Day 2 Sarah caught some moose out of the corner of her eye while we were driving and made us stop, turn around and pull up close so she could get a picture. They were quite amused with us, I think - I'm sure glad it's not mating season! I think Sarah will probably write an update to you over the next few days - thanks for letting me babble. Sarah caught her arm in an elevator the day before leaving to go on tour and her hand was swollen and purple. Kinda frightening and kinda Sarah at the same time. She's in a bit of pain, but rockin' like the trooper she is. Can't help but be proud... Please feel free to send any messages along to Sarah or Oh Susanna c/o what@ican.net for the next couple of weeks. We'll be checking the mail every few days. I'm sure they'd appreciate your well-wishes. Take excellent care of yourselves. Joy, Heather. PS - Sarah caught her arm in an elevator the day before leaving to go on tour and her hand was swollen and purple. Kinda frightening and kinda Sarah at the same time. She's in a bit of pain, but rockin' like the trooper she is. Can't help but be proud... ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 12:19:12 -0400 From: what@ican.net (What? Management) Subject: Did I tell you about Sarah's arm?! I laugh at my silly ability to repeat myself! I guess I watched Jacob Two-Two and the Hooded Fang one too many times as a child... :) H. PS - Sarah caught her arm in an elevator the day before leaving to go on tour and her hand was swollen and purple. Kinda frightening and kinda Sarah at the same time. She's in a bit of pain, but rockin' like the trooper she is. Can't help but be proud... ------------------------------ End of navy-soup-digest V2 #42 ******************************