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| Folk duo's EP a musical masterpiece |
November 1st, 2005 |
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By Catherine Litt
The News Bulletin
Nov 01 2005
OK, what are they putting in the drinking water in Ontario?
It must be a secret potion, something that would explain why that province is producing the most exciting crop of Canadian folk musicians in the last 30 years. Heck, since the days of Joni Mitchell.
Earlier this year, I raved about Toronto singer/songwriter Evalyn Parry, whose poetic and powerful lyrics have led her to be called the Joni of our generation.
Today, my raves go to her fellow Ontarians Erin Gignac and Marc Bertrand, an Essex County folk duo known as Dresden Sky.
This pair may just be the Dylan and Baez of our generation.
Dresden Sky's talents (which range from vocals to instrumentation) can be heard on the duo's newly released five-song EP - a musical masterpiece of poignant lyricism and melodic arrangements.
Gignac and Bertrand each write and sing their own songs, alternating their tracks throughout the EP, beginning with Gignac's bluff - beautiful acoustic piece that demonstrates her smoldering, understated vocal energy.
Gignac's voice is ethereal - delicate but powerful, kind of like Joni-Mitchell-meets-Sinead-O'Connor.
Bertrand's voice is equality sublime, but more country-bluegrass in style than Gignac's folk-pop sound. For me, Bertrand's real appeal is in his songwriting and arranging. His Wooden Angels (track 4) is my favourite; it explodes into a soaring instrumental, spritzed with angel-esque harmonies.
But, hey, don't take my word for it. Listen for yourself.
Better yet, see the duo live at the Cambie Pub Monday (Nov. 7).
The only thing better than hearing their EP would be seeing this extraordinary duo interacting live on stage.
Catherine Litt is the News Bulletin's arts editor. She can be reached at litt@vinewsgroup.com.
Story:
"Folk duo's EP a musical masterpiece"
Published in Nanaimo News Bulletin on Nov 01, 2005
Story URL:
http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals-code/list.cgi?cat=44&paper=51&id=522670
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