Tannis Slimmon - Lucky Blue

NEWS FLASH!! Tannis has just won Contemporary Vocalist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards ceremony in St. John's, Newfoundland. Lucky Blue was selected as one of the top 10 'Critics' Albums of the Year' by Canadian folk music magazine Penguin Eggs! The first cut on 'Lucky Blue' received the 2008 Independent Music Award for Best Song! The album itself was also a finalist in the Best Album category! Lucky Blue's producer Lewis Melville was nominated for 'Producer of the Year' by the Canadian Folk Music Awards! About 'Lucky Blue': Rounding out Tannis' pure vocal tones and quintessential harmonies are the multi-instrumentalisms of her musical partner & producer Lewis Melville, soulful slide guitars of Ken Whiteley and Dan Walsh, the African kora of Malian griot Mansa Sissoko, the low-down bass of George Koller, duet vocals of David Francey, harmonies of Stephen Fearing, Scott Merritt, Shelley Marshall & Keri Latimer (from Winnipeg's Nathan), the Dust Poets, and so much more, including the crows of a Bhutanese rooster! Ten original tunes and two Melville covers pay tribute to Canada's past in 'Underground Railroad', reveal the gut-wrenchingly human side of war in 'Edmonton', and blow wind through your hair on an attitude-changing ride in 'My Bike'. The album package features works by many talented visual artists from Tannis' community of Guelph and beyond, including a portrait by Mendelson Joe. About Tannis: With musical roots firmly planted in the soil of the Canadian Prairies and the ever-burgeoning scene in Guelph, Ontario, and with a passion for lyrical vocal harmonies, Tannis Slimmon has been singing, songwriting, recording and touring locally and internationally for 25 years. After working with numerous bands including the critically acclaimed female trio The Bird Sisters, her solo career was launched in 2001 with the release of 'Oak Lake', followed up in the fall of 2007 by 'Lucky Blue', a rich offering of songs and artwork influenced by recent travels to Mali, West Africa and Cuba. You will find Tannis' name on over 65 albums, contributing songs or singing harmonies for others including Willie P. Bennett, Valdy and Rheostatics. "She's a terrific songwriter and a gifted performer. Her songwriting and her singing mirror her generous and gentle nature and both significantly account for the compelling nature of her work. I consider her one of the country's musical treasures." Bill Stunt - CBC Radio "A breathtaking vocalist with a bright, angelic disposition, Slimmon is a favourite folk attraction whose harmonies are as warm as her smile." - Exclaim (Oct/07) 'Lucky Blue is a work by a mature artist at the peak of her powers.' - Robert Reid of The Record (Jan/08) "... if one enjoys the finest in women's voice and song with the distinctly 'Canadian' edge, this record deserves a serious listen and a place among the rest of the best on your shelf." - Peterborough Examiner (Nov/07) "Slimmon's voice in isolation sounds remarkably like those of her fellow Canadian singers, Sarah McLachlan and Sarah Harmer." - Sing Out! (Fall 2003) 'Canadian roots and rock has a formidable contender here.' Ellen Rawson - Rambles 'Slimmon shines with beautiful folk-pop sounds with an oh-so-delicate hint of rootsy twang. Her smooth sweet vocals are captivating.' Jennifer Tattersal - Ottawa Express "Holding it all together, of course, is that gorgeous voice, still full of gentle grace and unobtrusive dignity. A bit of a triumph this, then, for the blessed Ms. Slimmon." - Penguin Eggs (Winter/07) 'There was a brightness and peacefulness emanating from her and our subsequent conversation confirmed this. These qualities are evident in her beguiling voice and with "Lucky Blue," a new collection of enchanting melodies, she has struck gold.' - Brandon Sun (Dec/07) Review for 'Lucky Blue' (Exclaim, Oct/07): Blending her sunny voice with gravitas, Tannis Slimmon has composed an emotionally compelling record with the multi-faceted Lucky Blue. A breathtaking vocalist with a bright, angelic disposition, Slimmon is a favourite folk attraction whose harmonies are as warm as her smile. An impassioned songwriter, Slimmon hits her mark on Lucky Blue, tempering her enduring optimism with weightier ruminations on contemporary life. An all-star guest list contributes to eclectic songs like "My Bike," a Celtic jaunt, which features Malian musician Mansa Sissoko on kora and Dave Clark on drums. Other standouts include the hauntingly arranged "Spirit House (Revisited)," which finds partner Lewis Melville playing all manner of stringed and percussion instruments, while the well-crafted "Edmonton" brings the war abroad home. Things like "What I'm Going to Do" and "Around Him" are simply great songs and, with each new composition, Tannis Slimmon skilfully taps into the heart of the human spirit.

1) Ernest Charlie ; Allan
2) Mountain of Love
3) Our Time Now
4) Spirit House
5) My Bike
6) Edmonton
7) Weathervane
8) My Body Moves
9) What I'm Going to Do
10) I Never Dreamed
11) Around Him
12) Underground Railroad