|
CHANTAL
VITALIS
Today’s Special
Ethel Records
· The former member
of Same Difference and maud adds the talents of
Kris Demeanor, Andrea Revel, Diane Kooch and the
shining Jonathan Lewis to her solo album.
Sometimes, it’s hard
to shine when the sun is your stage-mate. Guitarist and songwriter Chantal Vitalis, who has been a fixture in the Calgary music scene for more than 15
years, has shared onstage real estate with some gleaming talents. But over
the past several years, Vitalis’ own songs and
vocals turned up the brilliance, particularly when she performed
"Water’s Edge," a spirited, jazzy romp that has had audiences
clapping along to the cool, off-kilter break. It’s a delight to finally
have a recording of the tune, especially when it comes
elbow-to-elbow with several other songs of its calibre.
Whether telling tales
of adopted children, the bitter taste of breakup, or insomnia, the songs on
Today's Special soar on a clean
sound that is distinctly Vitalis’ own. Laced with
metaphor, the mood ranges from wistful to humorous, especially with a duo
of songs about the joys of pork that trade the human’s perspective for the pig’s. Vitalis has a talent
for using melody – sweet but never saccharine – as a candle to illuminate
life’s seminal moments.
4/5
MARY-LYNN McEWEN
|
