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Bill Bourne 'Live' in Concert
on YouTube
new for 2007
Distributed in Canada by Fontana North/Universal
'boon tang' cover design by Francis A. Willey and Kara Yerex * photography by Francis A. Willey
'boon tang' has been nominated 'Outstanding Roots Recording - Solo' at the Western Canadian Music Awards.
'boon tang' - Bill Bourne - Cordova Bay Records
Calvin Daniels - Yorkton This Week
It seemed only fitting that after reviewing a CD produced by the great Bill Bourne that I follow it up with one of the Master's own efforts, his latest effort Boon Tang.
From the opening strains of the first cut; No Woman No Cry, this is unmistakably Bourne. Few performers have a more distinctive voice than he does, and it's a voice I first fell in love with when i reviewed Dear Madonna, a CD Bourne did with Shannon Johnson back in 1994. Since then I've had the opportunity to review Bourne's solo Voodoo King CD, and Tri-Continental, a CD that has a world beat sound done collectively with Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim. Tri-Continental showed an interest to take his music to a different level, mixing his roots sound with world instrumentation.
Boon Tang continues that evolution as Bourne pushes things even farther. This is a CD that ends up a mix. Songs such as No Woman No Cry and Roll River Roll, with wonderful flute work by Aysha Wills, are Bourne at his familiar best. This guy has a way with what I have seen called "a rough-hewn" poetical style. Coupled with his distinctive voice they are immediately memorable.
Other cuts on the CD Bourne ventures off into the world of the Middle East and Orient for songs that are startlingly different from what Bourne is best known for. On The Terror Time, a song written by Ewan McColl, Bourne even takes a back seat letting Eivør Palsdottir take the vocal lead. The title cut Boon Tang follows the same haunting Middle Eastern lead.
Now I always appreciate when an artist pushes in new directions. Music doesn't grow by copying the last sound on radio. So credit Bourne for that, not that he has ever worries himself with radio friendly music.
In this case Bourne really goes out there when he shifts to the Middle Eastern themed material. He has built a few bridges that tie his traditional roots with the more foreign material, like Rain, which sort of melds elements of both. That helps hold the CD together musically.
Fans of Bourne will still find this a gem, but for a new ear, this may be a tad radical as an entry point to this outstanding Canadian musician's material, so be warned.
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COMPLETE boon tang LYRICS click here
The new CD 'boon tang' was released in Canada March 12 on Cordova Bay Records
Distributed in Canada by Fontana North/Universal
boon tang was recorded at The Beach House and mixed at Retrogram Sound, Edmonton, Canada
Mastered by Bernie Zolner at Retrogram.
Hear 'boon tang' mp3 tracks at MySpace.
Webster's Dictionary:
tang, (noun): 2. a strong and penetrating taste or odor. 3. a touch, a trace. 4. a special or
characteristic flavour, quality or (noun) a loud ringing sound; twang. (vt & v1): to sound with a loud ringing.
In addition to Bill's vibe laden performances, the recording features vocals by the amazing and sensuous singer Eivør Pálsdóttir, the sweet sultry voice of Laurelle, and powerful flute work by 11 year old Aysha Wills.
Aysha Wills - photo by Shane Wills
bill bourne - 'boon tang'
Cordova Bay Records
The one thing Bill Bourne could never be accused of is following the cliché approach to a career. From the early days of his partnership with Jim Morison in the duo Sweetgrass, through his expeditions with the Tannahill Weavers, Alan MacLeod, Shannon Johnson, Tri-Continental, Eivør Pálsdóttir to name a few, each collaboration has been an intriguing experiment.
In between his various musical adventures, he pulls in to a rest stop and releases a solo work. Boon Tang is the newest such rest stop along the way. This collection of 11 songs includes what you've come to expect from Mr. Bill and a few surprises.
Continuing to use Eivør's wonderful voice as a backdrop to 4 of the songs, along with a new protégé called Laurelle on two others, Boon Tang is definitely Mr. Bill at his core, as he chants and weaves his own path through the English language. What this collection does contain, in addition to the expected, are two fabulous cover versions. One of 'No Woman No Cry' and then a superb rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's 'For Lovin' Me'.
Boon Tang is Bill Bourne at his quirky and reassuring best.
les siemieniuk
Penguin Eggs, 10942 80 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 0R1
www.penguineggs.ab.ca
Ph: (780) 433 - 8287, Fax: (780) 437 - 4603
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Eivør Pálsdóttir's (pronounced 'Ivor Paul's-daughter') most recent solo recording - 'eivør' - produced by Bill Bourne and winner of 2 Danish Music Awards, "Best Vocalist of 2005 & Best Folk Album of 2005", is available in Canada from Spirit River Distribution.
Eivør Pálsdóttir - 'eivør'
Produced by Bill Bourne
12 Tonar (www.12tonar.is)
'eivør' is available at fine record stores across Canada
Distributed by Spirit River Distribution...
www.spiritriver.com
www.eivor.com
Most of bill bourne's recordings are available from Festival Distribution and from fine record stores across the land.
"...bittersweet moods that draw you back again and again. This powerful CD's 11 masterful songs are full
of broken hearts and reflective regrets balanced by a streetwise philosophy of acceptance."
- Gary Joyner -
Acoustic Guitar Magazine...read more reviews
here
Voodoo King is available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from Gem Buzz Records
The Gembuzz release is repackaged (as seen above) for Europe.
To order Voodoo King from cd Baby click here
Voodoo King is available from Festival Distribution
Voodoo King is available in the U.S.A. from Burnside Distribution
Farmer, Philanthropist & Musician - Please go directly to Brouhaha Music Group... Blue Streak Records.
Search HMV & A&B Sound or order direct from Festival Distribution
In the U.K. Voodoo King is available from Pinnacle Records
If your favorite record store doesn't have Voodoo King in stock, they can order it for you. The label is Second Storey Records - CD #SSR 2002.
Juno Award Winning International Touring Group Tri-Continental's recordings are available in Canada from Festival Distribution and in Europe from Tradition & Moderne
Music Publisher Information click here
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