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August 18 -August 25,2002 |
On The Beat
The divine Ms. Emm
By Kerry Doole
Originally Published: 2002-08-04
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Emm Gryner
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EMM GRYNER: This superb local singer/songwriter launched her new CD, asianblue, with a short industry showcase then a well-attended public gig at Top O' The Senator. She gained notoriety as a backing singer for DAVID BOWIE, but Emm is, above all, a solo artist of real charm and talent. Her previous CD, Girl Versions, comprised covers, but asianblue is full of well-crafted and melodic originals. By choosing to stay an independent artist, Emm has been able to be prolific, and at just 26, she has now released six albums! The music biz crowd was highly attentive, prompting the singer to praise them as "the best audience I've had of people with real jobs!" Of the new songs, "Beautiful Things" stood out as a potential hit. The new album is now out on Dead Daisy Records/Outside Music.
COUSTEAU: The fact that music fans here are real spoiled was shown by the recent gig from this English band. They played for free at The Horseshoe, yet the club was only about a third full. Those in attendance were treated to an excellent hour-long set that mostly drew upon songs from their self-titled 2000 debut. A second CD, Sirena, has just been released on Palm. Cousteau explore moody and introspective territory, led by the wonderfully rich and resonant voice of LIAM MCKAHEY. Heavily tattooed, he looks a little thuggish, but croons divinely on songs written by his guitarist, DAVEY RAY MOOR. Good stuff. Also impressing were locals MEMORY BANK, whose sound has progressive-rock tinges and is given variety by two contrasting lead singers, one of whom sounds like BRETT ANDERSON (SUEDE).
NEK: This Italian star returns with a new album, Le Cose Da Difendere (Things To Defend), released on Warner Music Canada on Aug. 13th. Over the course of 11 songs, the singer/songwriter tackles various facets of the theme of love. He gets vocal assists from LAURA PAUSINI on "Sei Solo Tu" (the first single) and DANTE THOMAS on "Cielo e Terra," sung in Italian, Spanish and English.
MARKHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL: Jazzfest season is still on, as shown by the strong line-up for this local event. It takes place Aug. 15-18, kicking off with JIM GALLOWAY'S WEE BIG BAND, featuring U.S. star WARREN VACHE. The Markham Theatre hosts a BILL EVANS TRIBUTE on Aug. 16th, while a Saturday night club crawl features MELISSA STYLIANOU, BRIAN BLAIN, LORNE LOFSKY, the funky RIVETHEAD (with MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI), and many more. Log onto www.jazzfest.markham.on.ca.
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