The CD is a collection of beautiful songs with traditional background and influe
author: Rambles.net Clutural Arts Magazine
David Leask has never forgotten his Scottish roots, even though he's living in Canada today. His third album, Tightrope of Dreams, reflects both influences and is an interesting mixture of self-crafted songs with a few of Leask's favourite Scottish ballads.
The CD opens with Runrig's wonderful ballad "Every River." Leask has a beautiful voice and he has gathered together some very fine musicians, so they bring forward a perfect cover version of this brilliant song.
Leask is an exceptional singer-songwriter, and the title song "Tightrope of Dreams" is certainly one of the highlights of the album. Beautiful arrangements, first-rate recordings and a rich sound brought forward by a varied line-up underline the beautiful melodies and rhythms.
The words are telling us about Leask's memories of Scotland, like on "The Rain Came Down," a stunning rhythmic song, or about his reflections of the world he's living in. He talks about politics, philosophy, simple daily events or personal feelings and he lets us share his thoughts and feelings accompanied by the amazing sound of his music.
Robert Burns' song "Green Grow the Bushes O" has been transformed to "The Lasses," my favourite song on the album. Brilliant rhythms, amazing musicianship and Leask's gorgeous singing make this one of the best versions of the song I've ever heard. The CD ends with another cover track: Dougie MacLean's "Caledonia" expresses Leask's love for his homeland.
The CD is a collection of beautiful songs with traditional background and influences, interpreted by a remarkable singer and songwriter.
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"Leask's Celtic/Folk/Pop sound, his songs, and his vocal treatment (there's a hi
author: Country Music News
It would be a stretch to call Tightrope Of Dreams a ‘country’ album, but then again it wasn’t intended to be one. David Leask, a Scotland-born, Toronto-based singer/ song- writer weaves a bunch of musical styles into his work and the Celtic / Folk / Pop sound that emerges, becomes quite intriguing. The songs, and David Leask’s vocal treatment of them (there’s a hint of Van Morrison here), are augmented by some adventurous arrangements and some instrumentation that is not often found on a Canadian ‘country’ album. It all makes for a pretty exciting trip.
The album has already turned out a single, Five Minutes, that is attracting national airplay. It is one of eight songs here that David Leask has co-written. Watch and listen for more of the same in tunes like The Rain Came Down, Slip Away, It All Comes Down and Life, a song written by Leask with Nova Scotia’s RyLee Madison.
David Leask also provides a solid interpretation of the Dougie McLean standard, Caledonia; and an interesting adaptation of a Robbie Burns poem which he entitles The Lasses. Can ye tell the lad’s from Scotland…eh !!
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"In Tightrope Of Dreams" Leask has crafted a superb CD. "
author: Mississauga News
"Tightrope Of Dreams" is the new CD by local singer and songwriter David Leask, a collection of sure-handed folk rock arrangements from the poular Scottish immigrant from Mississauga.
"I've spent half my life in Scotland, and half my life in Canada", he said "The new CD is about a journey and about balance. I think a lot of people can relate to that"
Leask has two previous CD's to his credit: "100 Camels" and "Ancestors' Eyes". But this is his most fully realized recording, comparing favorably to efforts by fellow Celtic Canadian acts like Stephen Fearing, Gregg Lawless and "Spirit of The West".
Buoyed by an all-star collection of musicians including bass player John Dymond, Mississuga guitarist Mike Francis and drummer Al Cross, Leask has crafted a superb CD.
Leask augments his arrangments with traces of flute, trumpet, pipes etc. And on ballads like the title track and the song "Life", he really gets down to brass tacks. "You take up three or four minutes of peoples time, so hopefully you say something relevant" he said. "I think this album is more rootsy. It has more substance."
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