Another in a series of jaw-droppingly good records from Victor Lewis. Vic’s new disc follows on from his last release under the “Hickory Switch” moniker, floating around in the classic rock and psychedelic realms without firmly setting foot in one or the other.

The songs sound at once totally new and strangely familiar; fresh and worn in.

Victor Lewis has much in common with Mark Oliver Everett, Grandaddy, Beck and Badly Drawn Boy, all of them spilling over with creative juices and dexterity.  You will never, ever grow tired of one of his records.

Seriously… never!

Victor Lewis (a.k.a. Vickee Lou, Vic Lou, etc.) is arguably Newfoundland’s most innovative and eclectic indie-pop artist.  We liken him to a young David Bowie.

Celtique Air  is lead by Jane Ogilvie and Helen Morag McKinnon. They perform Celtic traditional tunes with grace and flair to spare. “Call of the Glens” features a mix of originals and instrumental sets and ballads.

The following is taken from their bio..

Helen and Jane first joined forces as members of a larger Celtic folk group – Oran. “When Jane took up the harp and started being part of my Gaelic songs, I thought I had died and gone to heaven”. That was 21 years ago and while they both continued to teach school and raise families they also found themselves accepting invitations to give recitals, present workshops and collaborate with other musians to create the tapestry that is the New Brunswick Celtic folk music scene. Eventually the invitations came from neighbouring provinces as well as the state of Maine. In 1996 they performed at the International Folk Harp Festival in Olympia, Washington.
Now that both are retired from their day jobs and their children have flown the proverbial coop, Celtique Air has new creative freedom. Helen, who has been teaching Gaelic language for many years, is developing a Gaelic course recorded on CD, including songs which reinforce pronunciation and cultural understanding. Her latest workshops have been in New Brunswick and Michigan.

Allison was from Nanaimo, BC who fell for a Newfoundlander and moved to Corner Brook, NL!

From her Wiki entry..

Allison Crowe began performing professionally in 1996, at age 15, doing regular sets in the coffee-houses and bars of Vancouver Island. Crowe’s recording debut came in 2001, with an EP subsequently reissued (in 2003) as Lisa’s Song + Six Songs. Her first full-length album, Secrets and Tidings was released in 2004, when Crowe was 22. Allison Crowe – Live At Wood Hall, a double concert album, was released in July 2005. A DVD featuring live-in-the-studio performances of songs from Tidings was created for her fan club in November 2005.

Crowe, of Scottish, Irish, and Manx descent, grew up surrounded by Jazz, classical and rock music, and discovered additional influences on her own such as Ani DiFranco, Perarl Jam, Tori Amos and Counting Crows. She plays music of all these genres, making her difficult to categorize. Drawing from classical, jazz, pop and gospel sources, the young singer has created singular, inspiring music both in the studio and in the concert hall.

H2O is the brain-child of Gord Harris, a Newfoundlander now living in British Columbia. It is a blend of contemplative folk/country, similar in sound to Kris Kristofferson.

The album is a mostly acoustic outing with simple accompaniment played expertly. Instruments are acoustic and electric guitar, fiddle, piano, bass, and mandolin and mellotron.

The incredible Steve Dawson joins the outfit on National steel, Dobro, pedal steel and “wicked” guitar.

Fantastic, rustic Newfoundland tunse from the Deckers. Harry and Aneas play wonderful folk tunes with a similar style and feel to those of Simani.

“The Lori Cooper Band has been punching out soulful, high energy R&B hits for almost twenty years!  This release is in response to the fans demand for a recording.  These songs are some of the audience favourites made famous by  the blues and R&B greats, and the band feels this captures the essence of our live show.

The album title is a little funny that means Lori is long past the neophyte stage of blues and R&B fandom, and her soul is a little deeper than that of the casual listener… so, do not request Mustang Sally at her shows 🙂

This write up below is from rowdyblues.com

Lori Cooper was singing at age two and playing piano at age six. Her parents often held socials that always included everyone singing and playing and Lori was usually the little star. Lori went on as a classically trained pianist to complete a B.Mus and B.Mus. Ed. from Memorial University’s School of Music.

Through the encouragement of friends and blues masters Roger Howse and Wade Pinhorn, Lori put teaching on hold and chose a life of rock & roll. As keyboardist for The Thomas Trio & Red Albino, Lori toured extensively and even competed in a World Talent Competition located in Tokyo representing Canada in front of 13,000 people. In 1991 Lori traded in her life on the road and resumed her other passion teaching. To this day Lori has managed to successfully fill the roles of teacher, school manager, mother and working musician.

Along the way Lori has played keys for folk music icon’s The Plankerdown Band, continues to play synth and percussion for musical productions, adjudicates music festivals and has evolved into a prominent member of music education in Newfoundland.

In ’96 Lori was encouraged to sing at a Sunday night blues jam by Coop De Ville’s, Wade Pinhorn and Darrell Cooper. Darrell heard a “soulful voice” and asked Lori to special guest with his band. He handpicked a song list and Lori got a taste of the blues which quickly led to a thirst!

Lori leads her own band aptly named The Lori Cooper Band and they fill the dance floor at the Fat Cat Blues Bar in St. John’s, Newfoundland on a regular basis. Her zest for life, jubilant spirit and deep love for singing the blues comes through in every song and affects every member of her audience.

Lori’s biggest influences have been Etta James, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Carl Weathersby. Also look for her in Three Shades of Blue, a vocal trio that adapts classic songs of various styles and delivers them in a sweet sounding three part harmony accompanied by keyboards.

“Tunes rooted in Newfoundland and Celtic traditions and infused with dynamics, emotion, and innovative arrangements.

With Duncan Cameron on guitar and bouzouki.”

– www.charlotteannemalischewski.com

Lloyd Thornhill and Glenn Simmons reunite to record this new CD.  Rounding out the project are Paul “Boomer” Stamp and Paul Kinsman.

A comedy album featuring Colleen Power, Geoff Panting and Roger Maunder.