Archive | December, 2009
Translation of the French review
http://withmusicinmymind.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-sarah-macdougall-across-atlantic.html
“It is not so easyto find a good album of folk song / country / americana which does not fall in clichés associated to these musical styles. Swedish exiled in Canada Sarah MacDougall is THE discovery of alternative folk song / country of this end of year, simply. She possesses the charming voice of a fallen angel, Lucinda William’s depth, maturity of one Joan Baez and the freshness as well as the spontaneity of her young age. This author / composer / producer and guitarist has everything for her. Across The Atlantic is the second Lp of the attractive young lady who follows upon already very promising sound first album Headed for the hills ( 2005 ) and in Ep I don’t want to be alone anymore (2008). Her music is at once light and serious, brilliant and poignant, in summary, it is a true beautiful experience to discover and to listen to Across The Atlantic.
Ballad Of Sherri begins on an acoustic sound mono which makes dream of a demo taken on the deep to take finally its flight on a dishevelled rhythm. The more melancholic tune is absolutely sublime. An ideal opening. The beauty of the folk song / country ballad Ramblin ‘ sets in the throat. A very moving piece which rings as a classic of the years of 70′s. Warmer and joyful dancing Cry Wolf country is a small jewel as we would more like to listen to it. The melody is wonderful. Across The Atlantic invites in the journey through this attractive ballad restful, simple and splendidly sung by Sarah. I’ ve Got Your Back is one of these blazing torch songs only the Americans of which have the secret deciphered by Sarah. On a lighter and moved note, Hundred Dollar Bills is a subtle and elegant comic sweetness. Acceleration of considerable tempo on the jewel whom is Biggest Mistake. The heartbreaking I’ ve Got Sorrow continues in the lineage begun withsublime ballads by the piece Ramblin ‘. Of Crow Lament summarizes perfectly Sarah’s universe: a piece country well-balanced which can please a little attracted public parce particular musical genre. A tour de force. The closing piece is made in the most beautiful way by means of a magnificent haunting ballad: Goodbye Juliet.
First album was released in a official way, Across The Atlantic impresses from part the maturity of her creator. Amazing.”
Gnomes and trolls….
…..are all around us this time of year…..at least according to old swedish folk-lore. There is about half a meter of snow here in Malmö right now, which is, in my opinion (as someone who is hardly ever in a hurry or driving) VERY LOVELY!!!
I am really loving walking around in the snow, and can’t wait to get out there today…I am just concluding some emailing and listening to the speeches from the Cop15 summit in Copenhagen on the TV. It seems so sad that no agreement has been able to be reached. This is the future of our planet that we are talking about!!! There is a lot of frustration in the air right now in this part of the world. On a positive note, there is at least consensus finally that something needs to be done in order to avoid catastrophy. I feel pretty powerless, but also hopeful for the future…that people around the world can come together for a greater purpose…I guess we will see what happens, but all of this reminds me that I have to do everything I can to take my responsibility, and to figure out how I can make my own lifestyle sustainable. It is a challenge to be a musician who makes very little money who travels a lot, and still trying to be environmentally friendly. But we all are a part of the puzzle of this world..
Anyway, enough of my climate meditations. : )
I also wanted to give a warm HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all you people out there.
This has, in many ways, been the best year of my life, and I want to thank all of you who have made it such a good year for me. I have met some of the most incredible people, and I am so happy that so many people, from Russia to Europe to Canada, have embraced and supported my music, come out to my shows, played my music on the radio, and encouraged me to continue down my artistic path. Thank you! It really means so much, every little nice comment or everyone who buys my cd.
I am so looking forward to this new decade….
Thank you for a wonderful year!
Love Sarah
Hello world+ Some new reviews in French
Hello world!
I am in my childhood hometown Malmö, Sweden righ now, planning my spring and summer tours, and things are looking good. I am playing all over europe this spring and will return to Canada in the summer. : ) Check my shows page, it will be updated a lot over the next couple of months. I’m going to some places I have never played before, including Germany, Holland, Belgium, Ireland and France! I’m also returning to Sweden, denmark, England, and Scotland.
I am also working on my next album, and am recording a duet soon with my Danish friend MC Hansen on one of his songs called ‘Come friday’.
Malmö is so lovely, dark and cozy this time of year. I am spending a lot of time walking around in the city, and breathing in the crisp air and the smells of winter fires. I love the peacefulness of this beautiful land.
I recently played some shows in England, one show with Annabelle Chvostek, and one show with Headwater (another band from Vancouver of which Tim is a member). It was lovely to be back there, and I can’t wait to return in April-May. It was a pleasure playing with both Annabelle and Headwater, they are all the highest caliber of musicians… If you haven’t heard them yet, I encourage you to listen to their songs on their websites.
www.annabelle.orgOh, and it’s the holidays! I have lowered the price on my cds on CD baby for this occasion. I think my cd is a perfect christmas present!
Buy it HERE
There have been some new reviews from Belgium and France recently:
Belgium:
With Music in My mind
Il n’est pas si aisé de trouver un bon album de folk/country/americana qui ne tombe pas dans les clichés associés à ces genres. La suédoise expatriée au Canada Sarah MacDougall est LA découverte de folk/country alternatif de cette fin d’année, tout simplement. Elle possède la voix enchanteresse d’un ange déchu, la profondeur de Lucinda Williams, la maturité d’une Joan Baez et la fraîcheur ainsi que la spontanéité associées à son jeune âge. Cette auteur/compositeur/productrice et guitariste a tout pour elle. Across The Atlantic est le deuxième Lp de la jolie demoiselle qui fait suite à son déjà très prometteur premier album Headed for the hills (2005) et au Ep I don’t want to be alone anymoreAcross The Atlantic.
Ballad Of Sherri débute sur un son mono acoustique qui fait songer à une démo prise sur le vif pour finalement prendre son envol sur un rythme échevelé. Le refrain plus mélancolique est absolument sublime. Une ouverture idéale. La beauté de la ballade folk/country Ramblin’ prend à la gorge. Un morceau très émouvant qui sonne comme un classique des années 70′s. Plus chaleureux et joyeux le dansant Cry Wolf est un petit bijou country comme on aimerait davantage en écouter. Mélodiquement parfait une fois de plus. Across The Atlantic invite au voyage au travers de cette jolie ballade reposante, simple et magnifiquement chantée par Sarah. I’ve Got Your Back est une de ces flamboyantes torch songs dont seuls les américains ont le secret décrypté par Sarah. Sur une note plus légère et décalée, Hundred Dollar Bills est une douceur burlesque subtile et élégante. Accélération de tempo notable sur le bijou qu’est Biggest Mistake. Le heartbreaking I’ve Got Sorrow continue dans la lignée amorcée des sublimes ballades par le morceau Ramblin’. Crow’s Lament résume parfaitement l’univers de Sarah : un morceau country équilibré qui peut plaire à un public peu attiré parce genre musical particulier. Un tour de force. La clôture se fait de la plus belle manière par le biais d’une splendide ballade habitée : Goodbye Juliet.
Premier album sorti de façon officielle, Across The Sky impressionne de part la maturité de sa créatrice. Époustouflant.
Note Finale: A+(+)
(2008). Sa musique est à la fois légère et sérieuse, lumineuse et poignante, en résumé, c’est une vraie belle expérience de découvrir et d’écouter
France:
Le Cri Du Coyote – December ’09 /January ’10
