Thursday August 25, 2011

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On the program for Saturday September 3, 2011

On this week's edition of the program - Two features - Ria Mae and her debut recording 'Under Your Skin' - and - Ben Caplan and The Casual Smokers and their debut CD 'In The Time Of The Great Remembering'
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Halifax-based songwriter Ria Mae is a complex person. There's Ria the songwriter, and Ria the performer - then there's Ria the poet, and Ria the person. All related but somehow different. But Ria's been given a great gift. The ability to be weave all those personas into one clear focus. Creating music - her music - Moody, melancholic and melodic she ventures into the depths of her vulnerability and surfaces with strength and clarity - and the voice; - enough character to crack the stoutest heart
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The music of Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers is diverse, ranging from poetic ballads to frenetic gypsy anthems, but even when the band delivers the roughest of bar room stomps, there is a surprising depth and musicianship to the songs. Expressive percussion, upright bass, violin, sax, clarinet, flute, and terrific use of call and response sing-along choruses all help Caplan & The Casual Smokers stand out from the masses influenced by the same sounds.