Durham singer taking first steps on journey
Sep 11, 2008 - 04:30 AM
By William McGuirk
Usually, of course, it's the singer's work; the voice, the song that can bring something new and forceful to one's existence, something that, upon hearing, becomes "a before and after" moment.
But with Jadea Kelly, of Whitby, a singer-songwriter who is better known as the female voice on Protest The Hero's Kezia album, it was her enthusiasm for Irish culture that has turned me around and since our discussion one Wednesday at the Stella's Open Mic at the Gryphon, I have spent more time with my own culture than that of my adopted homeland. However, rather than exploring Irish culture for its own sake or to learn more about myself, it's more to get a greater understanding of what informs the art of Jadea.
Since our chat, I have been listening to a series of interview podcasts by Irish journalist Eamon Dunphy. He has actors, politicians, business leaders, authors and all sorts of prominent folk on his radio show. Each guest is given three musical picks but even there, one can't escape the Canadians. Joni Mitchell's A Case Of You just happens to have been chosen again and again.
It also happens to be one that Jadea includes in her set list on occasion. Mitchell is a hoary touchstone for the modern female singer but Jadea has more Sarah McLachlan in her and even more Loreena McKennitt, the Canadian Celtic composer (The Mummers Dance). All of this comes from the vox Kelly has, with its staggering lilt and a deceptive power.
On her newly released disc, Second Spring, her work is moving more into the territory of alt-country chanteuse Neko Case. No surprise here that yet another from the D-Rawk is exploring that world they see out the windows of their suburban bedrooms. Another one who is a forest and a city lover.
She recently won the Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Country. Her band is Erin McGowan on backup vox, Blaise Alleyne on violin, Greg DiTomaso on bass, Tim Des Islets on guitar and Josh Patrick on drums. Arif Mirabdolbaghi of PTH returns the favour and sits in with her on stand-up bass.
Jadea is now working for Richard Flohil of Stony Plain Records. Stony Plain, of course, is the home of Ian Tyson, the OG of Cancon folk and the wellspring of the Canadian Sound. Being surrounded by the stuff of legend has opened up new sounds to the young singer and while she has explored them on this record, I can't say as she has found her voice there, so to speak.
In fact, Kelly may actually have more in common with Mitchell than is obvious at first listen. Like Mitchell, the goal is exploration of a life. In the way of the myths she has studied, Jadea seems to be on a quest. We are fortunate here in Durham to bear witness to those first steps on her journey whose goal is not gold records or silver jet planes but knowledge of self through art.
Jadea Kelly will play with Arif Mirabdolbaghi at the pre-SHWALTZ party at Isabella's Chocolate Cafe. They are on a bill with Forest City Lovers, NIki Andre and Dan Reiff. It takes place Sept. 12 and it's pay what you can.
William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.
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