Dear folkies and friends,

Mer’s Best Bets is a new feature on the OFC Music site. I have been a musical consultant at the OFC off and on for the past couple of years. Recently, I have been given the daunting but wonderful task of managing our CD inventory! Chopper has left very large shoes to fill, so I will do my best to provide the best selection of new music, local finds, and folk treasures to fill your ears. My goal is to carry a selection of music that will suite kids, parents, grandparents, and your uncle’s cousin, while maintaining a focus on music under the folk/roots umbrella.

Mer’s Best Bets will highlight a monthly Top 4, including a “Mer’s Pick” album review and a “Small Talk” local artist interview.

Hope you enjoy!
Your ear on what to hear,
--- Meredith

May

1. Mer’s Pick

Mike O’Brien – Mike O’Brien (Independent/2008)

Mike O’Brien’s self-titled release captures his strengths beautifully: an incredibly rich and developed vocal range, diverse and engaging songs, finely crafted lyrics, and strong lead and rhythm guitar.

Having heard Mike play several years ago at the Blacksheep Inn, it was no surprise to me that his early 2008 CD release show at the Library and Archives was generously attended and ended with an enthusiastic encore.

Mike’s song-crafting sensibilities are developing quickly and are a welcome addition to his engaging and entertaining live performances. Singing in both English and French, the Montreal-based musician is a natural storyteller. “Dirt Blue” showcases the deep bluesy end of Mike’s vocal range, reminiscent of something from Tom Waits’ Rain Dogs: percussive and dark. “O Misere” is an off-beat toe-tapping tune driven by its infectious melody—an element that has spread itself through many of these songs.

Predominantly inspired by quirky stories of heartache and heartbreak, the stories on the album are often laced with a twist of sly-humour:

“If you don’t want me to call, ain’t no big deal, girl, I don’t much like talk at all.
You can tell me lies or the truth; don’t matter to me, I won’t be listening anyhow.”

My favourite track off of this album is the final number titled “Baltimore.” At his spring CD release show, Mike recounted the story of one of his younger guitar students who was always bouncing off the walls. He developed a character for this wild child that would fit, as he described, in a Tim Burton film. The song’s dark humour and simplistic sing-along chorus are perfect!

Mike O’Brien surrounds himself with many talented performers on this release. Fellow Montreal songwriter Joe Grass plays guitar on the CD alongside Ottawa’s John Carroll.

Do not miss this talented entertainer before he hits the big time!
Mike O’Brien’s self-titled CD is available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre: $19.95 (+ tax).

www.mikeobrienmusic.com
www.myspace.com/mikeobrientunes

2. Elliott Brood – Ambassador (Six Shooter Records/2005)

Rock ‘n’ roll. Grunge. Country. Banjo. This album has it all! This Toronto-based trio uses inventive textures and catchy choruses to seamlessly transport folk and country songs into a jingle-jangle ra-ra-raw rock album. From banjo to acoustic guitar to ukulele, the boys of the Brood bring a fresh acoustic sound to the Canadian indie-rock scene. Percussionist Stephen Pitkin is even known to play a suitcase—part of the sound which is uniquely theirs.

You can catch Elliott Brood in town this month on April 23 at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec. Elliott Brood’s Ambassador is available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre: $21.95 (+ tax).

3. The Murder Plans – The Murder Plans (Independent/2007)

Watch them as they rise!

With rock songs that will make you move around, the Murder Plans’ 2007 release is served strong! Connor McGuire and the Murder Plans are grabbing their audiences by the… horns.

Front man and songwriter Connor McGuire has a wonderful way with words: poetic and precise. You won’t find many five-dollar-phrases in McGuire’s prose. From the first punchy hits of guitar on “The Well” to the desperate and expressive vocals on “Centretown, 2 AM,” the EP’s five tracks are interpreted with astute musicianship (courtesy of Michael Simon, Joel Jacques, and Nicholas Descarie) and personality that only McGuire could muster!

The band has developed a dedicated following of fans and friends in Ottawa and is currently spiraling outward to reach audiences in other cities. Wednesday, March 26, CM & MP found themselves headlining a show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern—a step towards their immanent success.

The Murder Plans’ EP is available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre: $7.95 (+ tax).

4. Tom Waits – Closing Time (Elektra Entertainment/1973)

Don’t let the date on this disc deter you; it will never expire. Closing Time is a classic record by the songwriter’s songwriter: Tom Waits. Most albums have weak-links, songs that stand out from the record as filler or lesser efforts. This album is gold from start to finish—mellow, but never lacking in interest or strength. As a writer, Waits has an incredible sense of structure, character development, and melody.

I was introduced to this album by a friend who described it as “the perfect album for a Sunday afternoon.” This is an excellent introductory album to exploring Waits’ musical legacy, carrying you through his material in its most basic form, on piano and guitar. If you are a songwriter, this record makes for great study and inspiration.

Tom Waits’ Closing Time is available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre: $16.95 (+ tax).

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