One of the joys of being actively involved in championing
country, roots, folk and Americana music is being exposed to a continual stream
of high quality new Canadian material in search of UK promotion. Nationally
acclaimed Ottawa based singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume is one such artist who,
after relative success in her homeland, is seeking further expansion into
European markets. On the back of increased press for her most recent Juno
nominated album KEEP A FIRE, and a formal UK release of the record, Amanda has
undertaken an inaugural visit across the Atlantic to share her talents in a
series of developmental shows. On the evidence of her assured performance at
Nottingham’s intimate Guitar Bar venue, it shouldn’t be too long before the
term ‘developmental’ is dropped and the wider music community takes note.
Amanda appreciates the value of enhancing a live show and
for this tour has enlisted the services of two fine Canadian musicians. Fraser
Holmes, a fellow Ottawa resident, played mandolin and electric guitar on Amanda’s
recent record and switched effortlessly between the two sounds during the show
which took the format of a pair of sets with the second being slightly longer.
MJ Dandeneau from Winnipeg Manitoba has an incredible CV of playing bass with a
who’s who of contemporary Canadian folk and roots artists with Amanda now joining
many who have visited the UK. Intermittently, MJ played her electric bass
guitar with a bow and together with Fraser provided the perfect setting for
Amanda to showcase live her excellent array of songs.
Both MJ and Amanda share Metis heritage, a mix between
European and First Canadian Nation, and their intense pride became a theme of
the show culminating in the song ‘Keep a
Fire in the Rain’ with its traditional language segment. This was one of
eight songs extracted from the latest record for the set with the superb tracks
‘Passed Down the Line’, ‘AGB Bannatyne’ and ‘Not This Time’, all having traditional or historical sources and
getting the informative insight treatment from Amanda in her between song
banter. The appeal of these and so many other of Amanda’s songs is their ear
pleasing aurora without selling out to popular whims and keeping within the
tight defined structure of authentic roots music.
Amanda did play it safe with her choice of three covers for
the set which is understandable when taking new original music thousands of
miles from home. Neil Young’s ‘Heart of
Gold’, with Amanda on harmonica, and Old Crow Medicine Show’s, fast
becoming a standard, ‘Wagon Wheel’, complete
with invited audience choral accompaniment, are far from radical selections but
offered a bout of familiarity. During the encore Amanda also played an
interesting version of Bruce Cockburn’s ‘Lovers
in a Dangerous Time’ with especially the guitar execution of Fraser giving
the song a country rock feel.
Apart from the airing of a new song ‘Steal it Back’ suggesting that the time for Amanda to move on from
KEEP A FIRE is imminent, the remainder of the set saw her delve a little
further into the back catalogue. There were four songs from 2011’s LIGHT OF
ANOTHER DAY and the closing number ‘All
That You Need’ stretched even deeper into the recording vaults. This finale
was the sole song that Amanda played totally solo with Fraser and MJ stepping
aside to allow her to emotionally deliver a song written about appreciating what
you have and inspired by playing to Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan.
It was the fitting end to an evening full of invention, finesse and truly
enjoyable music.
It has been stated here on many occasions that the influx of
Canadian and American talent complements the home grown folk/roots/country/Americana
scene well and serves only to raise standards. Amanda Rheaume is a valuable addition
to the growing list of artists exporting their craft and it would be delightful
if this liaison continued to grow and blossom in the future.
www.amandarheume.com
www.fraserholmes.com
www.mjdandeneau.com
