Feist at Great American Music Hall
Sultry Songstress breaks free of Broken Social Scene
For fans of broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, and the other Canucks, this is a show not to be missed. In case you needed to add another Canadian pop darling to your list of essential artists, give Feist a listen at Great American Music hall on September 17th.
Feist’s background credentials are impeccable. Her first proper gig was at an outdoor festival, supporting the Ramones. From a Spanish-rapping sock puppet with the indomitable Peaches to singing with UK hipster darling Gonzales, to the beauty of Candian dream team Broken Social Scene’s You Forgot it In People. (You’ll recognize her sweet croon from their track “Lover’s Spit”.) She’s also worked with Kings of Convenience and has a duet on Jane Birkin’s new album, not to mention a new Broken Social Scene record due out October 4th. Leslie Feist has been – and continues to be – one busy girl.
Her solo album Let It Die, a blend of musical styles and lyrical intent, came out to rave reviews and two Juno awards. She looks at love, Joni-like, from both sides, both as the amazing force in life and as devastating nonsense. With layers of guitar and vibraphone, or pared down to a simple piano, she’s got a melodic jazz vibe with a lot of lounge thrown in. However pretentious that may sound, once you’ve given a few listens – in the car, in your bedroom, getting ready to go out for the nigt, you begin to find the tunes delightfully hummable and the lyrics start to stick with you. Droll pop is evident in her first single “Mushaboom” got her the unwanted attention of McDonalds, who hoped to use it in commercials, while a don’t-call-me-French world weariness attaches itself to “When I Was A Young Girl”. Feist even covers Bee Gees classic “Inside Out” and Ron Sexsmith’s “Secret Heart”.
If you come out to Great American Music Hall, you won’t be sorry you did – it’ll be an evening of fine entertainment with the modern equivalent of a Parisian lounge singer.
Ginevra Kirkland 