On a
cool fall Friday night, I decided to attend a triple bill concert headlined by
a great folk rock band known as the Wilderness of Manitoba. I was in for a night of making new friends,
hearing new sounds, and feeling the great positive love and vibe that emanated
throughout the night.
The
first act goes under the name T H O M A S, a group headlined by
singer/guitarist/songwriter Thom Gill.
He opened the set with his effective take on soul, folk, and even gospel
music, bringing a more eclectic and jazzier feel to contemporary Christian
music. I especially dug his very
inventive, re-harmonized takes on Lenny Leblanc’s “Above All” (a classic praise
and worship stable infused with soul and sass) and the Clark Sisters’ “Is My
Living in Vain” (a more reflective, contemplative take on the tune versus the
rousing, in-your-face original version).
Throughout his set I fell in love with his voice, his personality, and
his soul, and I cannot wait to hear more music from this stellar artist.
The
second act goes under the name Kite Hill.
Kite Hill was a departure from the jazzier, gospel feel of the first act
since this time it was a classically influenced band that was piano and strings
driven throughout. I loved the rich
vocals and the instrumentation of the group, ranging from upright bass, cello, and
violin, to even the glockenspiel. It
was inventive alternative folk/rock music at its best and most creative, and it
has something for both the rock fans as well as those who are inclined to lean
towards classical music.
The
main event was of course, the Wilderness of Manitoba, fresh off the heels from
their third album, “Island of Echoes”.
What struck me with this band was their intricate harmonizations between
the four lead vocalists. They sounded
like a full-fledged choir that was in sync, full bodied and in harmony with one
another. Plus, each one of the members
is skilled in their own instruments, some fluctuating between percussion,
violin, bass and trumpet. The tunes
were very catchy and harmonious, and the band is certainly one to watch on the Canadian
music scene.
Three
great acts for the price of one. Surely
I did not go wrong this time around.
T H
O M A S Web Site
Kite
Hill Web Site
The
Wilderness of Manitoba Web Site
(T H O M A S)
(The Wilderness of Manitoba)
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