Grievance and Gratitude
© Copyright-Layah Jane Singer-Wilson
(829982081803)
Record Label: Grace Note Records
SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!
No items available in your wishlist
Singer-songwriter Layah Jane is a hearty young musician with a mission. With soulful vocals and a poetic, articulate tongue, Layah's sound recalls Joni Mitchell, Ricki Lee Jones and Ani Difranco, with a resonance all her own.
A longtime strummer of strings, Layah has always preferred a self-taught inprov-style creative process. Both piano and guitar became tools for writing and accompaniment as she began to create and perform original material at the age of thirteen. Layah has dazzled audiences in countless shows and festival showcases including Winterfolk Festival, and North by Northeast Music Festival. In May 2005, Layah Jane won a showcase at the Ottawa Folk Festival and a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award. In July 2005, her song "Reverence and Ridicule" won the political category in the Ontario Council of Folk Festival's songwriting competition. Layah recently won a 2007 Ontario Independent Music Award (Best Folk), and received nominations for two 2007 Toronto Independent Music Awards (Best Folk, Best Female Fronted Band).
Both Provincial and Federal grant programs have recognized Layah's musicianship and supported her projects, through the Ontario Arts Council, and FACTOR. Layah's loyal audiences in Canada, the U.S.A, Europe, and Australia pre-bought her debut album Grievance and Gratitude, (Grace Note Records, 2005). Grievance and Gratitude was produced by Oliver Johnson (Ivana Santilli, Esthero), and is sonically blessed by drummers Davide Direnzo (Holly Cole, Jacksoul) and Ben Riley (Bruce Cockburn), bassist Marc Rogers (Norah Jones, Philosopher Kings), and percussionist Dave Gouveia (Amanda Marshall, Ivana Santilli).
The Grievance and Gratitude Remixes took Layah's folk seeds and grew them into flowers that bloom compellingly in colours of breakbeat, trip-hop, hip-hop, rock, samba, and reggae. The tracks were produced by a diverse and well-respected tribe of remixers.
Layah Jane has been seen and heard as a live and recorded back-up vocalist for a range of artists making folk, funk, soul, and hip-hop music in the Toronto area. Over the past ten years, she has also appeared as a lead and back-up vocalist on various commercials and Juno-nominated albums.
In the realm of television and radio, Layah's songs have been licensed for Global TV's "Blue Murder", and ESPN's primetime drama "Tilt". Layah appeared on Toronto 1's late night entertainment TV show, "The Toronto Show", in 2003, performing two original songs live. College radio and CBC are taking notice of Grievance and Gratitude and helping new listeners discover Layah Jane through the airwaves.
Morphing from singer-songwriter to DJ, Layah co-founded the Move Collective, a Toronto dance jam that spread west to Calgary and east to Halifax. Voted "Best Non-smoking Dance Event in Toronto" by Now Magazine in 2003, rotating DJs pack dance floors each week.
Layah Jane is a spirited and natural performer who receives enthusiastic support wherever she plays. When she takes the stage we are transported to a place where emotion is raw, reflection is deep, and revolution is not only possible, but necessary.
Read more...
Please
log in to review the album.
author: M. Smith
I stumbled across Layah Jane when she opened for Brian MacMillan at Hugh's Room. What an unbelievable talent! This singer-songwriter is wise beyond her years. Her catchy tunes are bellied by articulate and poetic lyrics and complex musicianship. I am already looking forward to her next album.
Read more...
author: b. mclachlan
this album is all that you'd wish for - musically and lyrically rich, with every track bringing something special to the mix. backed by an amazing band of some of toronto's best, layah jane manages to both soothe your soul and inspire your mind to action. she is really one to watch out for. i predict an explosion in the next year for she is already a musical star.
Read more...
author: Northeast In Tune (Mike Grutka)
The title gives it away. Layah has something to say and she says it with quick and clever rhyme schemes. Big ideas like "be the change you want to see", infuse her songs with earnestness that doesn't get cheesy. A voice that reminds me of the singer from the early 90's Australian band Frente mixed with a little Joss Stone is complemented nicely by her fusing of jazzy, swing filled reggae inflected grooves.
Coming on the heels of young female artists from Canada who probably have limited shelf life (sorry, Avril) and the juggernaut that is Norah Jones (who donated a session player to the album) Jane firmly ignores the former while not being as traditional as the later. Layah (I keep wanting to sing ‘Layla”) has created a hybrid mix of funky jazz reggae conscious something to say folk pop that enters your ear like cotton candy melts on your tongue.
On the track 'Reverence and Ridicule" she rails against prepackaged fashion and music telling us to keep the next radio song. Layah has more important things to do. Later she wonders, "I wonder sometimes if I have it in me the resiliance it takes to not let it win me" referencing the pressure to churn out pop hooks and catchy choruses at the expense of art.
Don't you worry Layah Jane. You do you do you do.
Read more...
author: Monkey Biz (Amy Leask)
"Grievance and Gratitude" is Layah Jane’s inaugural CD, but it is as rich, varied and polished as that of any seasoned professional. Youthful, but wise, with stunning vocals and multi-layered arrangements, "Grievance and Gratitude" delivers the whole package.
Layah’s vocal range is nothing short of spectacular. She is capable of everything from a powerful whisper to a soulful yell. Each song presents different facets of her voice, but she shines in "Dry Wit" and "Firefly". Wonderful vocal harmonies are found in "Capsize". Backing her is an impressive ensemble of instruments. "Press to Me" is a haunting ballad featuring cello and a host of distinctive percussion. Less folk and more contemporary, "Hostage" is powered by an interesting mixture of instrumental effects.
As is the case with many albums, good performances on this CD follow from good raw material. Lyrics are clever, introspective and witty, and are as amusing as the music itself. Melodies and harmonies on the CD are complex, and multifaceted, as is the general tone. Some tracks are whimsical and playful, such as "Saltwater Taffy". Others, such as "Crows", are dark and melancholy. Most impressive is the fact that each song is distinctive, with vocal styles ranging from folk to blues. "Reverence and Ridicule" even incorporates a touch of reggae.
The songs on "Grievance and Gratitude" refuse to be defined, and the CD as a whole stands out because of its ability to balance powerful vocals with clever lyrics and complex instrumental arrangements. This sort of balance is s a daunting task for any artist, but in Layah’s case, it’s what makes her distinct from other popular artists, and impressive in her own right. Vocally, instrumentally and lyrically, Layah Jane’s music is emotionally compelling and multi-layered, but still infused with humour and playfulness. Great things are to be expected from this new artist.
Read more...