Wand's music reflects her environment
The Envision Twilight Concert Series is pleased to present for the first time Yael Wand at Fraser River Heritage Park July 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Updated: July 06, 2009 10:01 AM
The Envision Twilight Concert Series is pleased to present for the first time Yael Wand at Fraser River Heritage Park July 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Joyful, earthy and delightfully free of pretense, Wand is, quite literally, a breath of fresh air on the Canadian singer-songwriter scene. Based in a rustic home in a small town in northern B.C., the Israeli-Canadian environmental studies graduate creates distinctive acoustic roots music that radiates the simplicity, vitality and bliss of mountain life.
Wand's unique sound draws from a variety of traditional forms – Appalachian, Celtic and Israeli folk to name a few – and adds a touch of jazzy sophistication and global instrumentation. Her mezzo soprano voice is as pure and clear as the air in her Barkerville home, and her arrangements are spacious and rootsy.
On her latest CD, At Your Door, guests Ken Whiteley and Jesse Zubot provide occasional touches of mandolin and fiddle.
Wand’s repertoire features stylish urban lullabies alongside tales from rustic cabins in the backwoods. She navigates the political terrain of the Middle East with the same ease and passion as she does the wilderness of the Canadian west. Her definitive statement on her homeland comes in the form of “Jerusalem” from her debut album Antinomy, a powerful lament for the city she describes as “a touch of heaven, a touch of sacred ground, and - a sea of salt tears that the angels have cried.”
For the past five years, Wand has pursued her music career in much the same way she lives the rest of her life: in the most grassroots of fashions, criss-crossing the country first in a paisley Volkswagen van and then in a vegetable-oil powered truck, performing in small theatres and coffee-houses and gradually building up a mailing list of devoted fans.
Wand is an amiable and confident performer whose live shows convey warmth and intimacy. Her on-stage charm, combined with her poetic lyrics and catchy easy-going melodies prompted Music Yukon’s Mark Smith to remark “Lordy, catch her NOW, folks... this is a full-fledged and export-ready artist at basement prices.”
Rhythm Roundup
Rhythm Roundup performs at Fraser River Heritage Park July 15 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rhythm Roundup has been performing their unique bluegrass and roots music since 1995. Vocals are a major part of their sound, with the duo singing of Sue Malcolm and Vic Smyth as the centrepiece. While honouring their bluegrass roots, they love to explore and branch out to create original new sounds. They are good friends who love to perform together, and audiences love the sense of fun this quartet projects.
Sue Malcolm plays guitar and sings lead and harmony in a warm, natural style. She has performed bluegrass, country, old-time, western swing and children’s music for many years, and was a founding member of Vancouver’s Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society in 1980.
Vic Smyth brings great energy to his mandolin playing and lead and harmony vocals. His crystal clear baritone shines on solos and blends seamlessly on harmonies. Vic and Sue’s duets are a highlight of Rhythm Roundup’s sound.
Don Fraser a.k.a. ‘the Maestro’ added his inventive dobro stylings to Rhythm Roundup’s lineup in 2007. Fraser’s abilities run the gamut from bluegrass and country to swing standards and gypsy jazz. As part of the duo ‘Swingamajig’, with son Michael, Fraser has performed at jazz festivals around North America and Europe. Fraser has won numerous awards including first place at the Western Canada Guitar Championship.
Stu McDonald on acoustic and electric bass, is well known in the Vancouver music scene as a member of such bands as Crawfish Fiesta, Helen Gone and The Beverly Brothers. Making good use of his razor-sharp wit, McDonald has made it his mission to revive the role of the bassist-comedian so popular with early bluegrass and country bands.
Rhythm Roundup’s performance is sponsored by Western Canoeing and Kayaking.
The July 15 Artists at Twilight feature artist in the gazebo is Carolyn Dawn Good.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and head to the park. The Log Cabin Café and Blackberry Kitchen are open for business before and during the concert. Admission is free but donations are appreciated and encouraged. Your support along with the generous contributions of sponsors will ensure this series continues. For more information call 604-826-0277.
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