Dahlia Wakefield
Down This Road
© 2006 Dahlia Wakefield/Squirrelly Girl Music (874054000084)
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Dahlia's musical direction explores popular avenues comining contemporary pop, rock, blues and a hint of modern country with an edgy kick.
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Canadian Singer-Songwriter Dahlia Wakefield creates heart-felt lyrics, memorable melodies and pours her soul into vocal performances that immediately captivates listeners. Her new album "Down This Road" represents just over a year and a half of dedicated effort and follows her well-received debut CD, "Close to Home", both released on her independent record label, Squirrelly Girl Music. With a strong, unique voice capable of interesting complexity, Dahlia spans easily from angelic and sensitive, to smooth and sensual, to raunchy and gutsy. Her musical direction explores popular avenues combining contemporary rock, pop, blues and a hint of what might be considered modern country. If one must compare styles, the likes of Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, and even Shania Twain come to mind. And then, of course, there are her influences of Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Amanda Marshall, Jann Arden and so on. Dahlia’s rich voice and contemporary-with-roots style allows her music to fit comfortably into almost any play-list or program.
Like many artists from humble beginnings, Dahlia was raised in a small rural town but left when rock 'n' roll and bright lights of the big city beckoned. As a graduate of Edmonton, Alberta’s highly regarded Grant MacEwan College Music Program, Dahlia earned an award of Distinction as a Vocal Performance Major, was the recipient of the EZ Rock 104.9 Vocal Entrance Scholarship, along with the Barbershop Harmony Society Award, and was also featured on the school's recording "Music From Within". During the following years, Dahlia’s original songs have earned well-deserved high ranking as a finalist in many top international songwriting competitions, including the 2003 International Songwriting Contest and both the 2003 & 2001 Windrift Music Songwriting Contest, resulting in a spot on a compilation CD called "Faces in the Crowd”. More recently, two songs off her debut album “Close to Home” appear on the 2005 Cyclone Records release “Heart of Alberta”. In total, her music has landed on four compilation albums thus far.
Dahlia has performed on stage since the tender age of five, and throughout the years, has given her time and talent to perform as a solo act, a duo act and alongside different bands at various telethons, showcases, and festivals such as the Saskatoon Folk Festival, Lloydminster's annual Mardis Gras, the CKUA FM Radio Benefit, the Tri-City Fringe Festival and the annual Guitar Extravaganza in Edmonton.
In addition to live shows focusing on her original material, Dahlia also keeps her vocal chops highly tuned by performing with cover bands such as The X-Factor and Brass Bedpost, which has only strengthened her ability to feel naturally comfortable on stage. Songs from the hot-off-the-press release "Down This Road" have caught the attention of local radio (as well as in Europe and Australia) and Dahlia, as always, is keeping busy with more songwriting, performances and promotions.
With albums "Close to Home" and "Down This Road" released, Dahlia Wakefield is a rising star set to shine bright and long.
reviews
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down this road
author: cherylDahlia Wakefield puts the hammer down on nine original tracks of country rock on
author: Darryl Gregory ~ Unsigned UndergroundWith a sexy-smokey voice and an aggressive delivery that says you’re-gonna-love-me-now, Dahlia Wakefield puts the hammer down on nine original tracks of country rock on her new release “Down This Road”. Dahlia also does a sweet cover of “Wouldn’t It Be Good”, that old Nik Kershaw single from the 1980’s. The CD dances on that thin line between rock and country, but in my opinion owes more to rock than C&W. Jim Stoeber as producer/engineer plays one man band and delivers a cohesive sounding album of power guitars, and rock steady drums and bass. The synth-programming adds just the right touches to really well orchestrated arrangements that just scream radio-friendly. Dahlia pens heartfelt lyrics and her imagery is vivid and tangible. For good or bad, one might compare Dahlia Wakefield to Gretchen Wilson just because on first glance they resemble one another and there is a bit of similarity in their vocal delivery. But the comparison stops there because Dahlia definitely rocks the house and is not as country as Wilson has been forced to be. Let’s hope that Dahlia’s music breaks out and all comparisons fall by the way.
- author: Collected Sounds
While her previous album was more pop, this album has some tracks that fit squarely in the rock category. Though there's nothing square about it. The songs are well written especially lyrically. Quite clever. Dahlia's voice handles all of the material well. It's a good fit whether she's singing one of the poppier songs or rockin out.
Easily one of the best independents Alberta has to offer
author: Dan BriseboisThe second independent release from one of Edmonton's hottest unsigned talents, Dahlia Wakefield's DOWN THIS ROAD is unquestionably one of the year's best sleeper hits. Her debut in 2005 was exceptional, and she somehow managed to outdo it with this follow-up, backed with the maturity that goes along with it. DOWN THIS ROAD is full of emotion, strong production, and bristling with energy, whether it's the cover of Nik Kershaw's "Wouldn't It Be Good," (arguably better than the original - as the song just seems to lend itself better to a woman singing, personal opinion), to any of a number of the potential chart hits. Along with producer and co-writer of the majority of the material Jim Stoeber, DOWN THIS ROAD sparkles with several gems. The lead-off title track gives you a premonition of some of the incredible talent this artist possesses, with the energy and enthusiasm throughout the 10 that lets you know this is something truly special. The production alone is worth its weight in gold, with thought and care in each and every hook in each and every track. Dahlia pours her heart into the tender ballads "I Still Do," and "Lost In A Dream." She somehow finds the balance between writing a soft ballad without being 'mellow.' Anything but needlessly laid back, "In Retrospect" and "Just For Tonight," with their upbeat are like a turbo-charged street machine in idle ... it purrs ... and you know it's taking off like a bat out of hell. "Alive" and "Full Moon On A Friday Night" are the complete package. Tight hooks charged with energy, slick production, they perfectly showcase Dahlia's talent and are indicative of the entire album. The lyrics are thoughtful, personal and retrospective, and Dahlia's vocal prowess is easily and without question one of the strongest on the Alberta scene. "Are You Listening?" and "All I Need" round out the CD. They're anything but 'filler,' merely the icing on the very delicious cake. There really isn't a single lull on the disc, and there are some tracks that are just plain exceptional. You're going to have your favourites. It's only natural. Her passion for her craft is unmistakeable. Make no mistake about it, there's absolutely nothing stopping Dahlia Wakefield from taking the country by storm.
Cool Record
author: Amy Lotsberg of Collected SoundsI reviewed Dahlia Wakefield's previous CD, Close to Home, in 2004 but I don't remember it being this rockin'. While her previous album was more pop, this album has some tracks that fit squarely in the rock category. Though there's nothing square about it. Some of the songs are actually a little more rock than I tend to like. But she's very good. (Note: after listening to this again and again, I find it's not as rock as I first felt) The songs are well written especially lyrically. Quite clever. Dahlia's voice handles all of the material well. It's a good fit whether she's singing one of the poppier songs or rockin out. She also covers the old Nik Kershaw 80s hit, "Wouldn't it Be Good" (anyone else have the Pretty In Pink soundtrack?). I like her version. It's a little more stripped down, but it's cool. Other songs I liked are Down This Road and Are You Listening? Cool record for those who like their pop with great vocals and a little bit of an edge.
A refreshing change!
author: Shannon WallineDown This Road is refreshing and real! Although I have an appreciation for many genres of music, lately I’m frustrated with the cookie cutter stars out there. When I heard the song clips I just knew this CD would be different and that was confirmed when I purchased it! Down This Road is easy to listen to and screams personality and talent-the voice, the melodies, and the lyrics. It's the kind of music you could listen to in any company and it’s definitely hit material! Buy this CD and you will not be disappointed!
A Highly Listenable Album - deeply rooted in hook-laden pop
author: Robert Mills, Maverick Country Music magazine (UK)Canadian singer-songwriter Dahlia Wakefield is deeply rooted in hook-laden pop on her second album, DOWN THIS ROAD (Squirrelly Girl Music DW003). Produced by Jim Stoeber, who also provides all the instrumental accompaniment of guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and programming, this is a collection of well-written songs full of memorable melodies and soul-deep lyrics. Dahlia possesses a full, rich voice that is heard to best effect on the jaunty "Just For Tonight" and the acoustic-based "Are You Listening?" with its compelling chorus. Combining contemporary rock, pop, blues and a hint of what might be considered modern country, this is a highly listenable album that would appeal to those who have latched onto Shania, Faith or Leann (Rimes, that is).
From another singer songwriter - a Dahlia Wakefield fan
author: AMAPOLAThe music industry is at a loss if they don't hear artists like Dahlia Wakefield. She is the ultimate package rolled into one: Singer, Songwriter, Performer, and Dahlia Wakefield's pipes are better than your roll-of-the-mill singers they are hatching up nowadays. This girl CAN sing! Remember her name because you'll hear a lot from and about her from now on. FYI: This album is already as polished as any pop star's album out there. I'm a Dahlia Wakefield fan!