Ten tunes that promote appreciation and respect for the Shuswap….
Shuswap songs hit CD
by Jim Cooperman
October 26, 2010
Salmon Arm Observer
It is whole new concept, using music to foster a sense of place. Thirty-four songwriters took up the challenge to compose lyrics and melodies to convey what it is like to live in and appreciate our region.
In April, the Shuswap’s first ever song writing competition thrilled the audience at the Salmar Classic Theatre. Two months later, many of these songwriters performed again to a packed audience. At that time, there were many requests to produce a CD of these songs. Thanks to the Shuswap Watershed Project and the songwriters, the CD was recorded and is now available.
Songs for the Shuswap celebrates the special features of our region with lyrics that capture its beauty and music that fills one with joy. The recording project was a collaborative effort.
Jesse Clarke of Old Man’s Beard did many of the recordings and all of the tracks were mastered at Sylvain Vallee’s Scotch Creek studio.
The CD begins with Megan Abel’s Shuswap Magic, which took first prize in the youth category. ‘I feel very lucky and am so glad I went through with my first performance the night of the competition,’ Abel says. ‘I had no idea at the time how much more fun was coming my way recording in Jesse’s studio and being an active part of such a wonderful community.’
Next up is Ariana Vrieling’s ballad, My Home with Shae-lyn James, and with the lovely melody played on piano by Monica Wilson.
One cannot help wanting to get up and dance to Peter Blacklock’s, Take Back the Shuswap, that also delivers an important message for everyone to do their part to help protect our watershed.
One of Shuswap’s favourite bands, Birchbark performs Sue Kyle’s winning song, Shuswap Swing.
Monica Wilson’s ode to the good life in Salmon Arm in My Town, paints a picture of grebes dancing and the people smiling.
Sicamous songwriter Len Benty also provides a fun song with a message that our water needs protection. And Sylvain Vallee’s Keep the Water Flowing delivers a message about love and respect for our waters, with a powerful jazz melody using keyboard, drums and a saxophone.
‘A brilliant idea that brought us all together for a purpose larger than us,’ says Benty of the project. ‘It was a real wake-up call to the beauty and vulnerability of the Shuswap.’
Jesse Clarke’s By your Side, speaks to the joy of returning home to his beloved Shuswap Lake. This song, which took second place, fills one with happiness, as the words fit so well with the alt-country melody highlighted by Darrin Herting’s guitar licks and Dick Owings fiddle solo.
Cherryville folksinger Tim Staker’s tune, Rinse Myself, is reminiscent of a Leonard Cohen song.
The CD closes with Lee Creek performer Dave Allan’s British Columbia that instills pride and respect for our beautiful province.
The CDs are available at Askew’s, Salmon Arm Observer, Acorn Music and elsewhere in the region.
[including: Scotch Creek SuperValu, Lighthouse Market in Sorrento, Pink Cherry, Java Jive, CD Plus, Takezushi Restaurant and more]
The songs can also be heard at www.shuswapwatershed.ca.