Short stories deliver brief but indelible journeys. A single mouthful of
sublime textures, or a window cracked -- fresh and sparkling images peeking
through. "Short Stories" is also the title of Oh Susanna’s latest release,
an intimate series of portraits and journeys that echo the haunting sound of
her debut EP. "Short Stories" s is a dramatic and compelling collection of
songs inspired by both the lives of people in Oh Susanna’s family and by
those recorded in 20th Century American writing. It shares personal fables
of heroes and antiheroes as if through the lens of a documentary film.
"Short Stories" will seduce new listeners and reward the returning. For
those who have traveled with her from one album touchstone to the next,
there is both continuity and surprise. Literary and cinematic as much as
musical, "Short Stories" has a natural beauty that both entertains and gives
the listener room to roam. Over the last 10 years, Oh Susanna has garnered
critical acclaim and loyal audiences around the world with "Oh Susanna"
(2003), "Sleepy Little Sailor" (2001), "Johnstown" (1999), and EP (1997).
She grew up a Canadian with an American passport, staring at the ocean,
mountains and railroad tracks through sheets of rain. She sought refuge with
song under burnt-out warehouses and in darkened clubs with the promise of
guitar twang and a lonesome cry. Along the way she found inspiration in the
music of the likes of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, as well as peers Jim
Bryson, Sarah Harmer, Neko Case, Ron Sexsmith, Fred Eaglesmith, Eliza
Gilkyson, Patti Griffin, and Iris Dement. Short Stories reunites Suzie with
long time band-mates Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo) on bass, Cam Giroux (Weeping
Tile, By Divine Right) on drums, Bob Packwood (Blue Rodeo) on piano as well
as the explosive talents of Luke Doucet, Justin Rutledge and Burke Carroll.
Two of the album’s key tracks are the tender ‘Pretty Face’, which is a story
about soul-mates and enduring love and ‘Greyhound Bus’ which reflects upon
the motherly instincts that prevail in the wake of difficult life choices.
Another obvious stand out track is the epic ‘Miss Liberty’. You can almost
see the credits roll up the screen as this track begs for inclusion on a
soundtrack. Suzie’s story about making a new start after a period of
darkness is layered over a touching string arrangement by Kevin Fox. ‘Miss
Liberty’ tells the tale of one soul’s new found freedom after living someone
else’s life for such a long time.
Upon the release of "Short Stories", Oh Susanna will be embarking on a
cross-Canada promo tour so that she can tell you more about the album in
person. She will also perform an intimate show in each of the cities that
she will be visiting. More details to follow. In the meantime, we hope you
enjoy "Short Stories".
ETHNIC GROOVES, FUNKY STUFF, WATHEVER YOU WANNA CALL IT. A HUGE CALF SKIN BASS DRUM THAT CAN'T LIE, VIRTUOSO GUITARS, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES COMING OUT OF THAT HAMMOND B3 MONSTER. REAL MUSICIANS RAISED ON A STEADY DIET OF CHICAGO BLUES, MEMPHIS ROCKABILLY, STAX SOUL & KINGSTON DUB PLAYING THE KINDA MUSIC WHERE EVERY NOTE COUNTS. FANTASTIC DRUM SOLOS, ABSTRACT MOODS, NASHVILLE GUITAR LICKS, A TOUCH OF BE-BOP. NEW ORLEANS GUMBO, DEEP BASS, BOOM-BOOM-BOOM LOVERS, A SWAMPY BLUESY BACKGROUND, ORGANIC SOUNDS>THE ELECTROROOTS PROJECT by Fabian Jolivet - Featuring Rick Holmstrom, Skip Edwards, Freddy Koella, Deacon Jones, T. Nakamura, Pete Mazich, Jah Faith, Tony Martin, Oliver Steinberg, Geoffrey 'Mouth' Grange, Carmelo Luggeri, Botafogo, Ciro Fogliata, Michael Tempo, etc...
WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, GORD DOWNIE, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
Hello, it's that time of the month again when we add more lovely music to our site. This month's happy foursome are The Barker Band in wistful mode, the summer of love-ish Old Californio, the anything but summer love-ish Christopher Rees and, wait for it..."Travelling Salesman's Young Wife Home Alone On Christmas In Montpelier, VT" from Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, which evenr if it was rubbish (and it's not) just had to be included for the names alone.
Why is it so hard for me to say hello, You’ve hit my heart like an arrow, Give me your endless breath, So I could cheat death, I feel your heart beat in my chest.
Hey Susanna,I had this rare moment,you here a song in the car and freak out,it was one of yours... I had the chance to see you in The Netherlands,but I was bewitched by bluegrass group"Uncle Earl"who were in the same theater before you. They were the best thing I had heard,and meeting them changed a lot....it was a chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance,so I'm sure we'll meet....somewhere...bless you!!
"Never use one word, when four will suffice." -Fred Foster Bloodgood, as quoted in the notes to Good For What Ails You: Music Of The Medicine Shows, 1926-1937. All the best in the New Year, Oh Susanna! And don't you cry for me!
