On The Beat
Cancon CDs
By Kerry Doole

CANCON CDS: Seeing this will be the final On The Beat column of 2009, it’s a good opportunity to catch up on some of the many fine Canadian albums that have come our way. You don’t need to be a cultural nationalist to enjoy these recordings as, against often tough odds, Canadian artists continue to produce excellent work. A shame that the mainstream media are usually too preoccupied with the exploits of KANYE WEST or LADY GAGA to give them the attention they deserve. Well-respected local singer/songwriter MONIQUE BARRY shines on her new CD, Carbon. It’s a musically adventurous work, with guitar synths and loops adding ambient layers to Barry’s pure vocals and impressionistic songs. Troubadour NQ ARBUCKLE adds a guest vocal to “Cold House.” Go to www.moniquebarry.com for more info. Thanks to the popularity of Bollywood, interest in Indian music is at a high level now. Meriting close attention is Canadian-Indian singer VANDANA VISHWAS, and her new CD, Meera - The Lover, a collection of romantic devotional songs inspired by legendary heretic/mystic/poetess MEERA BAI. Skilfully crafted aural landscapes help tell her fascinating story. Drummer BARRY ROMBERG is known as a stalwart of the Toronto jazz scene, and his group RANDOM ACCESS specializes in freewheeling and compelling instrumental improvisations. That is showcased on Was, Shall, Why, Because, a 75 minute album featuring such A -list local players as GEOFF YOUNG, HUGH MARSH, RICH BROWN, KEVIN TURCOTTE, KELLY JEFFERSON, WILLIAM CARN, JOHN JOHNSON, and DAVID OCCHIPINTI (who wrote one number, “Stratus Fractus”). Check out www.barryromberg.com Another of Toronto’s top jazz drummer/composers is ERNESTO CERVINI. He has honed his skills by working in New York City, and the benefits of that are audible on his fine new album, Little Black Bird (on Anzic Records). His originals are strong, while a cover of RADIOHEAD’s “2+2=5” shows he has open ears. Go to www.ernestocervini.com. CAROL WELSMAN is one of Canada’s most experienced and successful (over 60,000 CDs sold) jazz vocalists. She has toured internationally, including Italy (Welsman is fluent in the language and has collaborated with Italian artists). She has just released another top-notch CD, I Like Men: Reflections of Miss Peggy Lee (out on E1). It features songs made famous by Lee, including the all-time classic “Fever.” On the roots music side, Vancouver quintet PARLOUR STEPS is earning a positive reaction to their new album, The Hidden Names. Jazz-country twang meets melodic art rock in their sound. Out on Nine Mile Records. Toronto country troubadour JACK MARKS has come up with a winner in his new album, Two Of Everything. Produced by DAVID BAXTER, its all-star line-up includes BURKE CARROLL, BAZIL DONOVAN, BRIAN KOBAYAKAWA, TREASA LEVASSEUR, and SCOTT B. SYMPATHY. Marks’ gritty vocals and lyrics are kept nicely to the fore. Winnipeg indie rock favourites THE PAPERBACKS have an ambitious 32 song double CD, Lit From Within, ready for release in the New Year, to be accompanied by extensive touring. He now makes his home in Texas, but we still lay claim to fiery blues-rocker GORDIE JOHNSON. He found fame leading BIG SUGAR, prior to forming power trio GRADY. They’ve just released their fourth album, Good As Dead, recorded at WILLIE NELSON‘s Pedernales studio. Its sound is termed cowboy metal. Johnson recently produced By A Thread, the new album by veteran American rockers GOV’T MULE, at the same studio. Out on EvilTeen Records and their first studio album in three years, it’s sure to please their large and loyal fan base. Alberta-based veteran DWAYNE FORD’s new album, On The Other Side, is a well-produced work that would appeal to classic rock fans.