It is not a well-kept secret that I love me some Martha Wainwright. She's a gorgeous blend of Canadian folk and American brass, with a little touch of la langue romantique to sweeten the senses -- FYI, she does Edith Piaf proud with her latest album, Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris (2009).
Could there be a single bit more of me left to fall in love with Ms. Wainwright?
ENTER: Liam Frost, a British singer with the foresight (and the necessary good graces of Fate herself) to provide the world with a new song in which Martha Wainwright is a fearsome, fantastic featured artist.
And, with queer lenses lowered and a good dose of same-sex pronouns in the chorus , I would suggest, perhaps, that a gay gal could find utmost pleasure in the rousing track to follow. I introduce, "Your Hand in Mine":
See now, rather than assuming this sparkling, danceable Brit-pop-meets-rock track is another notch on the ol' "hetero-love song" belt, I offer some queer insight -- how much more compelling would the track be if both the male and female singer were chasing after the SAME woman?
I imagine the video filled with the dreams of two pals, heads swimming with the thoughts of the same Lady Love until -- *GASP*! It is revealed in the end that both their hearts beat for the same sweet vision.
I know -- I like my version of music videos better, too.
(Though, we all know -- Martha Wainwright would be the lover victorious in any battle with the boys. Don't deny it, now.)
Sweet Tuesday -- it is an instant shock of summer here at Cute, Queer, Canadian. Women with music coursing through their veins teamed up this week to overcharge our headphones and the results are effervescent.
So, grab a tall glass of iced tea, switch on the closest fan, and settle down into a soundtrack fit for the searing summer weeks ahead.
Our First Lady of Lilith Fair returns with her seventh original studio album after a seven-year retreat from personal recording projects. It appears Canada's darling, Sarah McLachlin, is set for an astronomical summer in 2010 -- with brand new material, a grand celebration of women in music scheduled with the revived Lilith Fair tour (see also: the Lilith 2010 compliation album released today), and a guest appearance on another Canadian gal's single released on the same day as Laws of Illusion, I reckon she is setting her sights on each one of us. Laws of Illusion captures McLachlin's trademark ephemeral sound and injects a new vitality into her standard ballads. At times, McLachlin channels a more rousing, pop-folk sound on tracks like "Loving You Is Easy" that sparkles across the entire album. Lucky number seven, indeed.
Katie Melua is at once captivating and clever with her sound, pushing her blues-pop fusion to its extremities with her fourth studio album, The House. Melua has entered exciting territory in her career with her new off-kilter, slightly sinister sound. As far as themes are concerned, The House explores the inner recesses of the mind from the glittering highs of "A Happy Place" to the disturbing drawl of her opening track, "I'd Love to Kill You." And how on Earth could a person pass on the clear, cutting sound of "God on the Drums, Devil on the Bass"? She carries a quiet intelligence through her song-writing and pushes listeners with unpredictable arrangements. Ah, such a pleasure to see an awarded, successful musician continue to evolve even at the height of her fame.
The immaculate Martha Wainwright offers a gorgeous, playful, and luscious compilation of classics from the Edith Piaf songbook, all recorded live in the concert halls of Paris (or, at least, the album invites listeners to imagine quiet cafes and a crush of cultured Parisians checking out her covers). Wainwright is best known for the expressiveness of her voice coupled with her cutting, often sarcastic lyrics -- however, with Piaf's songs, the warm and honeyed tones of Wainwright's voice are appreciated in a new light. The fact her recordings are live adds to the awe over Wainwright's delicious singing and her accent français merveilleux. Must come from the Canadian side of the family...
Speaking of transformations in music, it would be remiss to not mention Robyn's return to the dance floors of the nation. Robyn is poised to release a new wave of delectable, danceable fare for the 2010 summer crowd with three albums hovering on the horizon. Body Talk, Pt. 1 offers the first taste of Robyn's reinvention and promises a further series of electric, electric tunes in months to come. These tracks shimmer with the heat of June and are best enjoyed under the pulsing lights of the local alt club. Immediate favourites are the sci-fi sweet "Fembot" and the shuttering heartbreak of "Dancing on My Own." Welcome back, Robyn -- us queer gals have missed you.
Quite the Can. con. tag team here with Melissa McClelland's single, "Brake." McClelland and McLachlin showcase their unmistakable, folk-inspired voices on a fresh track tinged with such delicate heartache. Ah, "restless hearts are always bound to break," but listeners can trust these women to write a memorable and oh-so-Canadian track perfect for a reflective summer evening.
Kylie Minogue's latest single, "All the Lovers," is summer music to its core -- with Minogue's breathy vocals backed by the golden chime of synths, it is little surprise her track will dominate the queer clubs this season. Our pop diva has even created quite the buzz around her video for "All the Lovers" wherein Minogue literally rides a wave of young, underwear-clad lovers of all orientations making out in the street. It quickly moves from sexy to unsettling in a sudden swell of drumbeats, though. Mmm, equally opportunity snogging -- now there's a video to support. In all seriousness, queers best prepare to encounter this track often in the next few weeks as clubs shine up their catalogue for impending Pride celebrations. Methinks Kylie Minogue will make an appearance or twelve.
***
Quite the Canadian collection this Tuesday in addition to some stellar international artists. I quite enjoy when Tunes for Tuesdays devolves into me praising a host of lovely lady musicians who happened to coordinate their releases. Makes for a lavish evening of discovery and adds to the summer soundtrack combinations tenfold.
Though serious, watch out for that Minogue character. Chances are she'll be stalking the rainbows in no time....
It is a rare trait for a musician to possess -- the power to mesmerize an audience with a simple acoustic guitar and a voice that transcends the song itself.
For Martha Wainwright, it's just another night on the road and another stage to dominate.
Now, I know this Tunes for Tuesdays segment of Cute, Queer, Canadian is rather dominated by folk-oriented, singer-songwriter types who are thoughtful, introspective, and hushed when it comes to their sound. Technically, Ms. Wainwright was born into this culture known as the North American folk scene. She is the daughter of the late Canadian folk singer, Kate McGarrigle, and American singer and actor, Loudon Wainwright III. If you follow the branches of her family tree a little further, you will also discover that she is the younger sister of the powerhouse known as Rufus Wainwright.
Music is fused into her genetic code.
But, I digress.
Though Martha Wainwright is often categorized as a folk musician due to her lineage, I would argue she far surpasses the genre's boundaries. Her lyrics are intimate and intense in their emotional clarity, though her language is modern and accessible. Her voice is filled with a palpable tension -- one moment she is delicate and sorrowful, the next she is resolute and unshakeable. She's one of the few artists out there who achieves her greatest potential live and under the lights of the stage. Now, that's not to discredit her studio albums at all. Instead, it proves just how formidable a talent she is.
Ms. Wainwright officially launched her career in 1998 when she recorded "The Year of the Dragon" for the The McGarrigle Album, a disc released by her mother, Kate, and her aunt, Anna McGarrigle. Martha Wainwright provided backing vocals on tours and recordings for her older brother, Rufus, before she decided to tackle her own studio album.
The first track I'd like to share with you this evening comes from her self-titled debut album released in 2005. I was torn over which song to post here -- there's the romantic, dreamy "When The Day Is Short" (which also has an official music video) and then there's the raw, unapologetic "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole" (oooh, blog censorship).
I have opted for the second choice. I was floored when I first heard this track. Floored in the good sense. I'll let you test the waters for yourself:
I KNOW. I developed a massive crush on her after I heard this track. I mean, I love a woman who can balance that intense vulnerability with a sharp, unforgiving edge. Simply amazing, that's all I can say to that.
The second track to share hails from Leonard Cohen's music catalogue. The tribute-concert -meets-documentary, Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, highlights the best of the poet-singer's archive through the voices of the Wainwrights, the McGarrigles, the Thompsons, and other impressive musicians. Yes, it was an extensive family affair when it came to the soundtrack and Martha Wainwright provided a fresh, exciting take on Cohen's collection. Here she is performing "Tower of Song" on Late Night with David Letterman:
Still need more of Ms. Wainwright? I would be remiss to mention her other credits for new fans reading this now:
2006: Featured on Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open ("Set the Fire to the Third Bar")
2008: Released her second studio album, I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings, Too. The album features music legends Pete Townshend (The Who), Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Garth Hudson (The Band), and numerous family members
2009: Released Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, à Paris: Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record. Yes! She sings in French, too! Hurrah for bilingualism.
Without a doubt, Martha Wainwright is a force to be reckoned with. Though, really, why reckon with a voice like hers when its far more fun to succumb?
It is not a well-kept secret that I love me some Martha Wainwright. She's a gorgeous blend of Canadian folk and American brass, with a little touch of la langue romantique to sweeten the senses -- FYI, she does Edith Piaf proud with her latest album, Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris (2009).
