Riveting Riffs

Judy Wexler Has Another Hit Record

2008 has been a good year for jazz vocalist Judy Wexler as her new CD Dreams & Shadows debuted in the # 2 spot on the National JazzWeek Chart, and the redheaded Californian, has a busy summer schedule, with numerous gigs from north to south along the west coast. Wexler’s 2005 debut CD, Easy On The Heart, produced by Barbara Brighton, sent a clear message, that the actress turned singer possessed good musical sensibilities and was capable of delivering big time both in the studio and on stage. For Dreams & Shadows Wexler once again teamed up with Brighton to create an album that taps into some of America’s best songwriters, Harold Arlen (“If I Only Had A Brain”), Sonny Rollins (“Pent Up House”), and Blossom Dearie (“Bye Bye Country Boy”). Wexler also illuminates two fabulous songs from the 1960’s, the Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune, “One Less Bell To Answer,” and Dusty Springfield’s hit pop tune, “Spooky.”

Divine Brown

Toronto’s Divine Brown, will soon join an elite group of female singer / songwriters, such as Alanis Morissette, Alannah Myles (“Black Velvet”), Sarah Slean and Shania Twain, in being recognized as Canada’s next diva. After previewing, some select tracks from Brown’s soon to be released album The Love Chronicles, and meeting with her on Canada’s west coast, in the city of Vancouver, it became increasingly clear, that Brown will soon outgrow the smaller Canadian market. The vocally gifted Brown, whose music mixes old skool R&B vibes, with soulful phrases, and modern beats, to inspire wiggling hips, jiggly butts and dancing feet, will eventually accomplish what she has already done in Canada, which is, to light up the airwaves and stages across America.

Songs such as “Lay It On The Line,” “Boogie Slide,” and “Bebe,” are fun songs, that represent influences from three different periods of R&B history.

Cleo Laine and John Dankworth ~ A Shimmering Union

A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune of being in the audience at the beautiful Hammerson Hall in the Living Arts Centre, in Mississauga, Canada when two legends of the musical world, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, made a rare Canadian appearance. Surrounded and supported by the Toronto All Star Big Band, we were treated to an afternoon of music at its very best: a display of unparalleled skill, spontaneity and great joy.

The opening set featured several members of this very young band whose average age is approximately 18. From the first bars of the Band’s opening selection, it was clear that we were on a ride of youthful exuberance and passion, even though at times the word “exuberance” took on the meaning of “a bit too loud”.

This Chocolate Lilly Is No Ugly Duckling

Sometimes less is more, and a few years ago when singer / songwriter Babe Gurr took the advice of former Sarah McLachlan guitarist David Sinclair, to just simplify, and start writing what was in her heart, it represented an epiphany of sorts. “It was the best advice that I ever had. I stopped trying to show off all the complex stuff that I had learned in college. I started writing what was in my heart. It is much, much simpler, but I think that it is truer to who I am. I think that it is closer to the audience as well,” says Gurr.

Internationally Renowned Percussionist Jim Brock

When playing with a click track, the proper mix is very important. The desired tempo can be deceiving if the volume of the click is too loud, thus making it hard to stay with.

When setting up a click, it may be good to pick sounds that aren't in the kit, and ones that will cut through the track. The easier the sound is to hear, the less volume needed for it to be heard.

A good way to eliminate click bleed is to use a pair of the heavy isolation style headphones. They are a little pricey but you can get the same results by using ear-bud, Walk Man style headphones, and shotgun ear muffs from your local sporting goods department

Sarah Slean Has Traveled "So Many Miles"

As I sat with singer/songwriter Sarah Slean in the dining room of a Vancouver hotel, it was difficult to imagine that less than twenty-four hours before, I had witnessed this now quiet, and slender woman cavorting about the stage, while she performed her first of two concerts in this west coast city. Now she appears reflective and delicate, almost like a porcelain doll, but during her performance, she rocked out on the piano at moments, while at other times she kibitzed with her fans while singing in cabaret style.

The March 11^th release of her CD The Baroness marked the fifth major release for the singer / songwriter, and she continues to build on the legacy of her three 2007 recordings, Night Bugs, her self-titled Sarah Slean (EP) and Orphan Music.