Maurice Hope – August 30, 2016 at 04:57AM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Nova Scotia act, singer-songwriter Erika Kulnys is a much-travelled individual. For after studying music composition, piano and creative writing at the United World College (NM), Oberlin College and Conservatory (OH) and winning a Watson Fellowship to participate in groups working for social change through music in far away places of Ireland, Venezuela, Jamaica, Brazil and India she makes good records. With this base to work she has lost no time to become established on the Canadian folk country pop roots scene, one of the many things I like about her is her vocal style is so varied, and impressive in every one she decides to go with.
Her grasp and all round ability as a classically trained pianist, writer, poet and observer of social and other frailties see Kulnys ably combine the attributes to help usher her diverse, boundary spanning music into the world. Accompanied by heavenly harmony vocalists Kristen Maxwell, Laurie Macallister and Katie Key plus pickers Jim Henry (electric, acoustic guitar, mandolin, dobro), Dave Matthews (drums, percussion and piano on “Love Me In The Morning”), Richard Gates (electric bass), Ian Kennedy (violin), Catherine Bent (cello) and Shay Williams on fiddle on “Rise Up” the album was recorded at Signature Sounds studio by Mary Thayer (Josh Ritter, Richard Shindell and James Taylor).
Among her finest work you have Dobro (sublime) decorated “Love’s Not Wasted”. On which her vocals if a little soft on the opening line she soon settles into a deeper groove. “Carolina” and though a little one-paced “Hummingbird” are likewise worthy displays of her work, but they have to step aside for a piano escorted “Burning The Furniture”. A song that could well is about the homeless, or maybe a couple travelling for their own enjoyment but as winter beckons the party is about to come to an end.
“Sacrifice” edges along in typical thought provoking fashion, and with some of the album’s finest harmonies it shines brightly alongside the delicate, and heavenly beautiful “Love Me In The Morning” (shades of Nanci Griffith) and the questioning “Rise Up”. This as she asks ‘where were you when the mountains quaked, when we marched in the streets, when the towers blew, and how it is time to rise up and to take back the power’. A dramatic number, both in production and Kulnys impassioned telling of the tale.
“Keep Your Feet Moving” is a wonderful infectious little number that gives some light to the shade, bustling along it gives off a feel good ambiance. Something we need to share more often than we do with others in need of a pick-me-up. “Roaring For A Revolution” speaks of the injustice and hardship felt in places where there is social injustice and otherwise.
Maurice Hope
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