From: owner-navy-soup-digest@smoe.org (navy-soup-digest) To: navy-soup-digest@smoe.org Subject: navy-soup-digest V5 #96 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 Sunday, May 26 2002 Volume 05 : Number 096 In This Digest: ----------------- Re: Slean Article in Kitchener-Waterloo Record [Paul Schreiber ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 21:39:09 -0700 From: Paul Schreiber Subject: Re: Slean Article in Kitchener-Waterloo Record http://www.therecord.com/entertainment/entertainment_020523103255.html Controlling her universe Sarah Slean learned to flex her independence early in her career and she hasn't looked back Thursday May 23, 2002 ERIC VOLMERS FOR NIGHTLIFE It didn't take long for Sarah Slean to show her new record company who was boss. In 1998, at the tender age of 20, The Toronto-based singer/songwriter shocked major label head honchos by refusing to release an album with Warner/Atlantic when the label came calling with contract in hand. Dazzled by her first independent cassette, Universe, the powers-that-be were interested in immediately launching her to the world. But Slean decided she wasn't ready for the big leagues and instead quietly released a second independent record, 1999's critically acclaimed Blue Parade. "I had decided with my manager when I got signed that I wasn't really ready to make a public debut," she said, in a phone interview from Toronto. "I wanted to release an independent album to get my writing chops up and my string and horn writing up. I wasn't where I wanted to be." Three years later, when it was finally time to record her major label debut, Slean was again flexing her independence. Instead of going with a tried and true producer handpicked by the suits at Warner/Atlantic, Slean insisted that eccentric Toronto troubadour Hawksley Workman helm the album Night Bugs. "They said, 'Are you crazy? How old is he? Who is this guy? What has he done?' " said Slean, who will be headlining the Guelph Spring Festival's Streetfest on Saturday in downtown Guelph. "But I'm pretty particular about how the song is going to come across. I'm a producer myself and I figured if I do this with someone I don't know or don't relate to or who won't let me do anything than I'll be in trouble. I came across (Workman's) records and thought his handling of the rhythm section was astounding." The resulting album, released last fall, contains 11 piano-driven, lushly produced gems that showcase Slean's gorgeous vocals and knack for classical arrangements. Like fellow Canadian songsmith Rufus Wainwright, Slean has found a niche mixing classical music with pop smarts. And she in no closer to accepting the idea that working with major labels must involve compromise. "It's hard because you have to go through a lot of okaying from people," she said. "But the label has been really good at letting me work out my own horn and string arrangements. I did all the artwork on the album. I'm a control freak, and they know it." As a result, Night Bugs qualifies as Slean's most successful album in the eyes of her most discerning critic: herself. Slean said she traditionally has had a love-hate relationship with her own work and a tendency to dismiss previous efforts not long after she has recorded them. But Night Bugs "has got a longer shelf life," she said with a laugh. " I still like it." Slean's involvement as headliner of the troubled annual Streetfest shows organizers are attempting to offer a somewhat classier atmosphere for the scaled-back event this year. Organizers of the Guelph Spring Festival decided to cut funding for the event after reports some people were unhappy with the choices of entertainment in previous years, which have included a skateboard park, fearfully loud high school rock bands and - last year - an activity which invited people to toss computer keyboards down the street. Unlike past years, Wyndham and Quebec streets will not be closed for the street party. Only Carden Street will be closed. Streetfest spokeswoman Paula Gazziro said the focus will be on offering family-friendly fare. "That the idea behind it originally that this was to be for families and free," she said. "It's a way to bring music to Guelph for those who could not afford the mainstage programs." STREETFEST LINEUP Where: Carden Street, Guelph Day: Saturday Cost: Free 11a.m Guelph Concert Band 12:15 Irish Dancers 12:30 Female pop band Sharon Said 1 p.m. Youth Jazz Band 2 p.m. The Backstabbers 3 p.m. Sarah Slean ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 May 2002 08:07:31 -0400 From: "Melinda Thompson" Subject: Sarah Slean Wallpaper CHeck out this link. You can download some wallpaper of the lovely Miss Slean, and also order Chart Attack magazine which features Sarah as their Stylin' Artist for May 2002. http://www.chartattack.com/monthly/ Sign up today for your Free E-mail at: http://www.canoe.ca/CanoeMail ------------------------------ End of navy-soup-digest V5 #96 ******************************