Muttering Who’s Kimya Dawson?
Have you seen the much talked-about movie Juno, starring the much talked-about Ellen Page? If you have, and stayed to see the music credits (why are they always at the end, anyway, given their vast importance?) you may well have walked away muttering, Kimya Dawson, who’s Kimya Dawson? Sure, Moldy Peaches fans knew, but maybe you weren’t a Moldy Peaches fan. Dawson’s songs dominate the movie though. They’re very kid-like, and alternately endearingly and annoyingly sharp, in a way that’s not dissimilar to the title character. And the soundtrack is topping U.S. charts now. The Guardian has a piece all about Kimya, called Juno Breaks Records, Sells Them Too, which sheds light on Ms. Dawson, (yes, she’s a she) in case you were one of those many muttering movie goers. Meantime, the consensus seems to be that the soundtrack to There Will Be Blood, by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, is amazing. Still haven’t made it to that one though, for some reason after Sweeney Todd the thought of “there will be blood” just wasn’t appealing. And that’s it for the Monday morning soundtracks brief.
Put A Little Sugar In Your Bowl
If you have a sweet tooth for jazz, the weekend Tonicians tell us that “our cravings are sure to be satisfied with tonight s Tonic (6 p.m.).” What this means is music like White Chocolate from Julie Lamontagne, and Queen Latifah singing I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl. Now, in a slight and yet connected digression, in looking ahead to a sojourn in Paris and what music I might hear there, I happened on this very sweet post from a young Canadian who heard her first jazz concert in France recently. She’s Une Canadienne En France, and here’s a quote: “I love how jazz is so improvisational, with the members exchanging knowing glances and subtle, almost indiscernible, movements and cues. The solos are so natural and flowing and somehow the group always comes back together seamlessly. They build on one another s playing, constantly synthesizing and answering back.”
Snowmobile And Full Orchestra
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s New Music Festival begins today, and their theme is “discovering Canada’s musical voice.” That voice is key to the opening night concert, with singer-songwriter Sarah Slean (who will be releasing her new CD shortly) performing a world premiere by Winnipeg composer Glenn Buhr, with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. And apparently the snowmobile is also key. (Well, certainly the whine of a snowmobile across a frozen Canadian lake is an iconic sound, no?) As part of the celebration of R. Murray Schafer (he’s 75 years old this year) there will be a performance of his 1973 work North/White, for snowmobile and full orchestra. (I guess you’d need full orchestra, wouldn’t you, if snowmobile is also being played.) Also, another Schafer work for string quartet and orchestra, with the string quartet playing in different places around the orchestra, will also be preformed. And if you are not so lucky as to be at the Centennial Concert Hall tonight to hear all this, mark down this date — February 17th, when you can hear music from this concert on Sunday Afternoon in Concert.
Bibb & Son
Leon Bibb is a legend on the Vancouver music scene — his big break came with a role in the original Broadway production of Annie Get Your Gun, and in the 1970’s he settled in Vancouver after touring with Bill Cosby. Eric Bibb is Leon’s son, he lives in England but was back in Vancouver on tour when this concert, recorded at the Capilano College Theatre, was recorded for broadcast on Canada Live (8 p.m.) Saturday night. His dad was in the audience, and those who were there tell me that it was “just a magic night” of Eric’s blues and gospel styled music. Then after son you can hear father Leon performing with the Tuned Air Choir from Saltspring Island, BC. The third concert features jazz vocalist Kurt Elling recorded at the 2007 Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Elling, btw, is nominated for a 2008 Grammy for his Concord Jazz release, Nightmoves.
Chronic street people cost city millions, committee told
Emergency officials in Winnipeg spend million of dollars dealing with a core group of 38 people who are repeatedly taken to hospital or the drunk tank, a city committee heard Friday.
Pepper-spray incidents spark debate over availability
Five Winnipeggers were sent to hospital this week after being sprayed with pepper spray, launching debate over whether stricter controls are needed.
Media asked to leave Sask. reserve where girls died
Members of the media have been asked to leave the Yellow Quill First Nation in advance of a funeral for two little girls who were found frozen to death on the Saskatchewan reserve earlier this week.
First Nation supports sex offender’s return to community
A man convicted of sexual interference with his 12-year-old granddaughter was released this afternoon and welcomed back to his native community, despite a previous conviction for incest in the same community.
Grammy Nominated Choral Recordings
As you’ve probably heard, the 50th annual Grammy Awards are going ahead on February 10th, having struck an agreement with the Writers Guild of America, the union representing the striking writers. And so it will probably come as no surprise this morning that your Choral Concert Bulletin is simply this: today Howard presents highlights of Grammy nominated choral recordings — the nominees are as follows:
