Chantal Kreviazuk: A Modern Day Poet and Musical Powerhouse Gives Flawless, Intimate Performance at London Music Hall and Subsequent Tours 2016-2017

London Music Hall in Ontario Canada is one of the best kept secrets in terms of venue. Chantal Kreviazuk delivered a flawless performance and a  rare appearance in close quarters for a mere $50! I was weary that it would be standing room only, but the concert had seating for several hundred in an intimate setting. Chantal’s voice and talent proved to be inspiringly deep, with an incredible range of notes melodiously filling each heart in attendance. Go to http://www.chantalkreviazuk.com/tour.html to attend her concert and purchase her album, which is incredible. You can still catch her in Niagara falls Nov. 19th at 7pm, Thursday Nov. 17th in Chatham, On, and Toronto on Dec. 1, 2016.

Chantal’s singer, song writer, piano playing, audience-connecting lyrics were moving. She’s not afraid to belt out a tune at seemingly any range, from whisper to scream. Her art is a refreshing reprieve from “top 40” radio churnings. Yet you will find her here and there, and realize she has always been on quality radio stations that respect her contribution to music on a global scale. She is disarming, humble, real, funny, and a bonafide rock star.

Hard Sail the title track of her new cd,  makes it impossible to choose a favourite track. Every song draws you in, and my friend and I scramble to read the lyrics that trail off unapologetically for dramatic effect. And then we are so in awe of each brilliant lyric set to piano genius. Kevin Fox accompanied and complemented her with his voice and, was it a cello and guitar? What a glorious combination of strings and keys weaving a musical tale.

In light of poet and lyricist Leonard Cohen’s departure from this world, Chantal treated the audience to his oft covered song, Hallelujah…with heavenly piano playing and singing with crystal clear vocal chords. With references to her children, her singer husband Raine Maida (www.rainemaida.net) of Our Lady Peace, and visiting Peru to help provide hearing aids, it was much like visiting her in her living room. It was only a few short summers ago that Chantal Kreviazuk played the Burlington Sound of Music Festival (soundofmusic.ca ) with Raine Maida much to the delight of both their fans. If music has a heaven, they would be in it.

The difference is, Chantal Kreviazuk seeks to elevate the room with her oozy talent. I don’t know about you all out there, but we were so appreciative of these fresh and truthful words set to music after months of campaign over-coverage of the U.S. Elections. A Canadian flag from the audience made its appearance as the performance went into two encores.

I hope you get a chance to snap up some tickets for Chantal Kreviazuk on her 2016 tour. She reminds me a lot of singer, songwriter, piano player http://www.facebook/marijoelmusic who I thoroughly enjoyed musically during her tour in Canada for Culture days http://www.free-meditation.ca/archives/19833. Their authentic style and indisputable talent seem to be swaying the vote, long closed, towards truth, inner-beauty, talent, peace and the bonding of the like-minded and like-hearted that see the value of coming together as global guardians. Leave it to the artists to raise awareness of what really matters in this lifetime through their modern day poetry as guiding forces through times that are…a changing. Hope such live music concerts inspire you to strum, play and write to define your self, express your self, and share your self.

Taking a moment to compose her self.

 

 

 

 

Jully Black and More at Burlington’s Epic Sound of Music Festival 2013

Burlington’s Sound of Music 2013 reached epic proportions with incredible talents like Jully Black, 54 40, Dirty Radio being the acts we were able to catch. These were among the greatest musical talents this city graciously offered to hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Jully Black’s performance just blew us all away with her power, her ability to verbally frame her songs and sing to the heart and soul of every member of the audience. She kicked up her stillettos, ran, punched through “the glass ceiling” referring to pushing past the mind’s limitations. She cried at one point from happiness and then transformed herself into this mighty image of Jully Black I had the privilege of capturing. Fans of Jully Black can check out her wonderfulness at http://jullyblack.com/

Burlington Sound of Music Festival 2013, Night Crowd, photo by Paula Erskine

On of the many notable acts included Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace singing with his wife singer/songwriter musician Chantal Kreviazuk playing piano. Check out Chantal at her official website http://www.chantalkreviazuk.com/ and Raine Maida at http://www.rainemaida.net/. My friend Alexis reported it was an inspiring performance. If I can say anything negative about the Sound of Music Festival, is that there were so many great acts playing at the same time, it was impossible to enjoy them all! Even the smaller bands featured along Brant street,(which was blocked off for pedestrians), were extremely talented but I was only able to get some musical snippets as we headed to Spencer Smith Park to the massive 3 stages.

Backtracking to the first night of free concerts offered on Thursday, it was not as insanely busy and we managed to get another great spot, near the stage and discovered the band Dirty Radio. My cousin and I marvelled at the singer Farshad Edalat’s ability to sound like Justin Timberlake’s falsetto but then bring it back down to a low, smooth groove. They managed to woo the crowd with their rock-funk-rap-edge with some middle eastern mysticism peppered in that was very easy on the ears and eyes. Even though we were not familiar with this Vancouver band’s music, it was completely danceable, heady, and I would buy their album in a heartbeat. For more info. you can become a facebook fan and listen for yourself to their unique vibe at https://www.facebook.com/DiRTYRADiOMUSIC. Following them we caught a glimpse of Down with Webster which boasts more fans and a similar vibe, loads of fans and lots of energy. You can find them at https://www.facebook.com/downwithwebster. If we may be so bold, Dirty Radio won us over, big time.

54 40 at Burlington Sound of Music Festival 2013. Photo by Paula Erskine

The Burlington Sound of Music concert series was bigger than ever with 3 main stages in Spencer Smith Park and Brant street had at least 4 bands and tons of patios to enjoy. Sundays final performances were fan filled with hip favourites 54 40. Singer Neil Osborne and indeed the entire band never cease to emanate cool as they confessed their fanship of playing on the stage following April Wine. “It just brought back our own memories of high school, pizza and listening to April Wine,” he confided to the crowd of thousands. “I love music,” he proclaimed which sent a ripple into the mounting excitement of the crowd.
Using the “excuse” of it being Sunday, and Neil feeling all spiritual, he asked the crowd if he could get an “AMEN!” Not only that, he initiated then conducted the crowd with his energy to sing the well known gospel hymn with a series of Amens which filled the air up with gratitude for sharing music with our favourite singers. There was not one audience member that was not singing this gospel with one of the coolest bands in Canada.

Sharing my love for music with my cousin Valentina and the Burlington Sound of Music Festival 2013 and Burlington’s new pier.

Fireworks topped off each evening lighting up the sky after unforgettable concerts. Where in the world can you see so many headline, mainstream, underground and new acts and high school favourite acts all in one massive festival? Burlington’s unique music festival united hundreds of thousands of people in their love for the Sound of Music in 2013.

For links to all the music offered and samples just visit http://www.soundofmusic.ca/ before it gets taken down! Click on all the links to terrific music! And don’t forget to visit next year! It is not Burlington’s only music festival, as there is also a Jazz and Rib Festival that lures people in with their Best Ribs contests and Jazz Blues rifts. But Burlington’s Sound of Music is the hippest, coolest, free-ist concert series this side of the border!

Burlington Pier 2013 Debut at Sound of Music Festival. Photo by Paula Erskine

To compliment the entire festival, it cannot go unsaid that Burlington’s long awaited pier was so spectacular that all the mistakes associated with the construction eyesore and its abandonment was forgiven. Burlington’s pier has an Amsterdam, modern-UFO vibe to it that makes for incredible photos especially at twilight and night. I can’t say enough good things about the Burlington pier as I was so proud to show off it’s rocket ship qualities. The ever-changing colours infiltrating the Burlington waterfront skies has an international, modern yet inviting feel. The pier photo I captured emanated the musical energy of the festival, depicting notes and bars streaming through the atmosphere. The magical pier at Burlington’s waterfront is a strollers paradise. I suspect it will become a tourist hub that inspires, unites Burlington and reaches out in its appeal to those that appreciate its long awaited debut. Congratulations to the organizers of the most successful, moving, heart opening, world-class music festival in Burlington’s history that easily rivals any music festival on this great earth!

The Burlington Pier 2013 Debut, photo by Paula Erskine