Key of A
with Katherine Duncan

This week on the Key of A, four Alberta singer-songwriters -- Kris Demeanor, Wendy McNeill, James Keelaghan and Cadence Weapon -- team up with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra to play their original songs about home, history and relocation. It's part 2 of Acres of Dreams, recorded last January at the High Performance Rodeo in Calgary. Kris Demeanor helped put the show together, and he joins Katherine in the studio to talk about the ideas behind the show, and how it came together.

Plus, we'll dip into 3 new and recent releases, and hear songs by Vanessa Cardui, Reuben Bullock and The Magnetic North.

This week on the Key of A, we take you back to a very special event at last year's High Performance Rodeo in Calgary. You'll hear four Alberta singer-songwriters, performing their original songs with a very big back-up band -- the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, with conductor Melanie Leonard.

The inspiration behind the event, is an ad campaign dating back to the late 1880's, when the government was trying to entice new settlers to the Canadian West -- the title of the campaign was Acres of Dreams. And all the new songs written for the concert are inspired by ideas of immigration, resettling, and home.

Kris Demeanor put the show together and he's Katherine's guest on the Key of A. We'll also hear him onstage with the Calgary Philharmonic, and fellow songwriters Wendy McNeill, James Keelaghan and Cadence Weapon.

This week on the Key of A, we'll listen to recent releases by young, up-and-coming musicians from around Alberta.

It's been another great year for Alberta musicians, so forget doing a Top 10 list - we've got an even dozen original releases by Alberta musicians. Our Key of A Best of 2011 playlist includes a wide range of music: from future pop to retro jazz; country to pop, soul and blues to rock to the newly minted genre, "terror." Enjoy!

100 mile house/hollow ponds

This Edmonton-based folk trio, formed when Englishman Peter Stone met and fell in love with Edmonton's Denise Mackay, released their 2^nd album, Hollow Ponds in 2011. Together with violin/mandolin player Scott Zubot,100 mile house offers up heartfelt songs, elegant, spare arrangements, and some of the most polished and touching live performances we saw this year. www.100milehouse.co.uk

 Samantha Savage-Smith/Tough Cookie

Retro-jazz crooner meets edgy production values for a winning and distinctive musical experience. Samantha teamed up with Calgary songwriter/producer Lorrie Matheson to create a much-talked-about (and listened to) full length release called Tough Cookie. http://samanthasavagesmith.bandcamp.com/

Kris Ellestad/No Man is Land

This is a young man with a beautiful voice, who's pushing the folk song envelope in exciting directions on his full-length debut, No Man Is Land. He's definitely an artist to watch. http://www.krisellestad.com/

Matt Masters/All-Western Winners

After years of trying, Matt Masters finally found himself a spot on the Calgary Folk Music Festival lineup in 2011, with other doors opening across the country. That's got to be at least partly due to the polished collection of alt-country songs on this 2011 release, All-Western Winners. www.mattmasters.com

Colleen Brown/Colleen Brown's DIRT

This Edmonton singer/songwriter is tired of being a good girl and playing it safe. That's part of what inspired the title of her 3^rd solo album, Colleen Brown's DIRT. She has a big, brassy band backing her up on this release, but Colleen's distinctive and agile vocals really set her apart. Watch for her on stages across the country, and listen for her on CBC's national music network, CBC Radio 2. www.colleenbrownmusic.com

Kirby Sewell Band/Bought Myself A Hammer

A big man with a big voice, Kirby Sewell (pronounced soul) says the blues found him at a low point in his life, and he considers singing them now, to be a form of celebration. Bought Myself a Hammer was produced by guitarist Neil Gunhold, who wrote most of the songs on the album. www.pronouncedsoul.com

Cam Penner/Gypsy Summer

After years of working in homeless shelters and soup kitchens, Cam Penner joined the ranks of the homeless himself - by turning to the life of a touring musician. On this new album, Gypsy Summer, Cam's dark, clear-eyed world view finds a warmer, brighter focus thanks to a rich backing band of guitars, mandolins and strings. www.campenner.com

Feist/Metals

She may be a world-famous touring musician based in Toronto, but Leslie Feist grew up in Calgary, and we still call her ours. Following up 2007's The Reminder, which shot her to international stardom, Metals takes a more introspective, complex approach that rewards careful listening. www.listentofeist.com

Mark Davis/Eliminate the Toxins

The 3^rd solo album from former Old Reliable co-front man Mark Davis teams up with Calgary producer Lorrie Matheson for an album that unfolds seamlessly from folk/roots/country to noise rock. Mark's 2007 release put him at the top of several charts and playlists, watch for 2011's Eliminate the Toxins to take him higher still.  www.markdavismusic.ca

Braids/Native Speaker

This Calgary-bred Montreal-based collective made our Best of 2010 release for their single, Lemonade. Now they're back with their full-length debut Native Speaker, released in January of 2011 to rave reviews, a coveted spot on the Polaris Music Prize shortlist, and a full dance card of international appearances. www.braidsmusic.com

Born Gold/Bodysongs

The band formerly known as GOBBLE GOBBLE, changed names mid-year, just in time to release a full-length album of absurdly catchy, feel-good dance-pop. Born Gold's live show is an ecstatic love-in dance party, but listen carefully for the dark undercurrents in the lyrics Cecil Frena writes and sings. And DO go and see the live show if you possibly can. https://www.facebook.com/borngoldofficial

Purity Ring/7"

This brand-new 2-piece from Edmonton blends percussion and electronics from former GOBBLE GOBBLE member Corin Roddick, with ethereal vocals from Megan James, for a sound that catapulted Purity Ring to the international stage on the strength of a single song - before they'd even played a live show! Hypnotic, appealing and very new, it'll be fascinating to see how Purity Ring evolves in 2011. https://www.facebook.com/purityringmusic

 

This week's Key of A falls on Christmas Eve. So while you're out rushing around doing all those last-minute errands, we'll provide a great soundtrack of Christmas and holiday music by Alberta artists to keep you company.

We've got new seasonal songs -- including some slightly cheeky looks at the holiday season -- and new versions of classic carols by The McDades and Maura Shaftoe.

Plus, a special segment of PJ Perry's "Our Jazz Noel," originally recorded last December at the Arden Theatre in St. Albert.

Merry Christmas!

This week on the Key of A, Edmonton singer-songwriter Colleen Brown says she's tired of being a good girl -- doing what's expected, playing it safe. Maybe that's part of the reason she called her newest album Colleen Brown's DIRT. We'll hear some of her new songs.

And, Calgary blues singer Kirby Sewell --  a big man with a big voice -- joins Katherine for a chat about how the blues found him. He'll also talk about his band, and spins some of his favorites from his newly released record, Bought Myself a Hammer. 

Calgary fans take note: Kirby Sewell will be signing CD's at a special event this Sunday, December 11th -- his birthday! It's happening at Heritage Posters and Music, at the corner of 11th Ave and 14th St SW. Drop by for a some music and slice of cake!