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

March, April

1. Mer’s Best Bet
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is

Lanois’ newest release was my introduction to the solo work from this prolific Canadian producer. By the end of the title track on the CD, (three songs into this soundscape-filled album) I was completely transported by Lanois’ sounds!

Mellow and mighty—boasting a total of 18 tracks—Here Is What Is combines beautiful and memorable songs with several short clips of dialogue. The spoken clips are an interesting addition, although the album might come across stronger without them.

Lanois’ pedal steel work is mesmerizing, drawing you into the masterful trance effect that this recording has on its listeners. The marathon of a song “Love Child” is a perfect example of this: a distant lonely piano part that warms us into the rich tones of his slide work that follows.

The songs on the album are all Lanois’ own, save the traditional spiritual “May Be My Last Time.” This song is one of several that has been smartly placed to add some variation and refreshment from the production of many of the album’s songs. The song has a warm rhythm and blues feel. It is preceded by a short instrumental piece called “Bells of Oaxaca,” a sparse and magical minute on the record.

“Moondog” could be a song off of a David Bowie record, but that’s the kind of variety that Lanois’ production creates. “Joy” uses rich and full vocal textures for a Motown-meets-gospel-choir vibe. “Luna Samba” is a exotic percussive finale to this fine work.

This record won’t disappoint. Pick up a copy for $21.95 + tax at the Ottawa Folklore Centre.

2. Old Man Luedecke – Proof of Love

It is hard to believe that Chris Luedecke is not a character from the past. His sweet and simple songs capture a feeling similar to the sing-along music of Pete Seeger. The 13 catchy tracks on Luedecke’s Proof of Love 2008 Black Hen Music release are complimented by the well-set production of Steve Dawson. Old Man Luedecke will be performing at the Blacksheep Inn on Friday, May 23 with the Sunparlour Players. Pick of a copy of his new release today for $21.95 + tax at the Ottawa Folklore Centre.

3. Joey Wright – Jalopy

This album could be the soundtrack for your summer. From toe-tapping banjo tunes, like the whimsical title track “Jalopy,” to tropical sunshine on a slide guitar, “Come Sunday” and “Blues for Motown,” Wright captures incredible diversity on this instrumental disc. “Waltz for GG” covers the country quota for the album; “Jethro Monk” is a sweet swig of jazz. This record is a must have for players of things with strings, presenting a whole palette of applications for each instrument. Wright does a nice job of building character within each tune as they all stand out distinctively. “Andre the Giant” could be a piece from Fantasia to accompany dancing mice and elephants with the pairing of fiddle and double bass.

Joey Wright is a Juno Award winning artist and a gem of Canadian music. Pick up a copy of Jalopy at the Ottawa Folklore Centre - $21.95 +tax.

4. Dave Norris – The CDR EP

Ottawa singer/songwriter Dave Norris brings us his first solo release, a six song EP of beautiful songwriting and production. This teaser album was recorded and performed entirely by Norris at his home studio in the heart of the city. The songs are extremely melodic and lush: Norris’ strong vocals set within jangley guitars and pop-driven percussion arrangements. The production is very well balanced as the indie-rock sounding “Our Ship” and “Howl” are bookended by the sparse “I Was Made A Fool” and the ghostly reverberations of “Come On, Lighthouse.” The CDR EP is exceptionally original and fresh sounding, likely because we have not heard much from this creative force yet. Front man for Ottawa rockers Addison, Dave Norris can hold his own as a songwriter and producer and will likely find success down both of these roads. Norris was featured in the second concert of the Gallery Studio Concert Series at the Ecclesiax Church on Fifth Avenue with local lovely Ana Miura on April 26.

Pick up this short but sweet collection of songs for $9.95 + tax at the Ottawa Folklore Centre.

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