Po' Girl: Difference between revisions
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==Musical style== |
==Musical style== |
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The style of music they perform has been called "urban roots", defined by band founding member Allison Russell as "rural music with urban lyrical content and appeal, typically played on [[Old-time music|old-timey]] instruments...defined in its early years...''[as]''...mostly folk- and country-influenced." |
The style of music they perform has been called "urban roots", defined by band founding member Allison Russell as "rural music with urban lyrical content and appeal, typically played on [[Old-time music|old-timey]] instruments...defined in its early years...''[as]''...mostly folk- and country-influenced."{{R|Salt Lake}} The band's sound has been described as having a "bit more jazz and swing" than that of the Be Good Tanyas, and "with straightforward musicianship built around Klein and Russell’s intertwining vocals, Po’ Girl delivers nice, casual music that slowly grooves into the heart."{{R|Journal of roots music}} Po' Girl's music has been compared with that of [[The Band]], [[Hazel Dickens]], [[Tracy Chapman]], [[Natalie Merchant]], [[Elizabeth Cotten]] and [[Norah Jones]]. It showcases melodies from instruments as diverse as [[banjo]], [[clarinet]], [[harmonica]], [[dobro]], [[accordion]], [[gutbucket bass]]. |
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==Recordings== |
==Recordings== |
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They released their [[Po' Girl (album)|self-titled debut album]] in 2003.{{R|Music Box}} |
They released their [[Po' Girl (album)|self-titled debut album]] in 2003.{{R|Music Box}}{{R|Rate Your music}} One reviewer commented on the "folk-mountain fresh" vocals of Klein, the "sleepy clarinet" of Russell and similarities to [[The Cowboy Junkies]] and [[Norah Jones]].{{R|Uncut}} Shortly after the release of the first album, it was decided to add a new member, Diona Davies who was known to Klein as a skilled fiddler.{{R|Klein's comments}} |
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In 2004, they recorded and released their second album, ''Vagabond Lullabies'', which included Davies (fiddle, piano and vocals), CR Avery, ([[hip hopper]]) from the trio [[Tons of Fun University]], Roey Shemesh on bass and John Raham and Shelley Okepnak on drums. The album was positively received, with Sue Keogh of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] (BBC) noting that "This is a sweet little gem showcasing some of the finest [[acoustic music]]ians Canada currently has to offer," |
In 2004, they recorded and released their second album, ''Vagabond Lullabies'', which included Davies (fiddle, piano and vocals), CR Avery, ([[hip hopper]]) from the trio [[Tons of Fun University]], Roey Shemesh on bass and John Raham and Shelley Okepnak on drums. The album was positively received, with Sue Keogh of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] (BBC) noting that "This is a sweet little gem showcasing some of the finest [[acoustic music]]ians Canada currently has to offer,"{{R|BBC}} and Mike Regenstreif in ''[[Sing Out]]!'' writing, ''[that]'' "Hip hop poet C.R. Avery effectively adds spoken word passages to a couple of songs."''{{R|Klein's comments}}'' There were guest appearances on ''Vagabond Lullabies'' from [[Frazey Ford]] and [[Ani DiFranco]].{{R|Klein's comments}} One reviewer stated that ''Vagabond Lullabies'' had more "depth and maturity" than their debut album, with contrasting vocals and good harmonies, but did comment that there was "still an odd Americana-goes-pop polish that keeps Po’ Girl from sounding entirely authentic."{{R|Now Magazine}} |
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2006 saw the release of their ''B Side'' record, with tracks including guest appearances by [[Sarah Harmer]], [[Luther Wright]], Shaun Brodie, Jason Mercer and [[Ana Egge]] (which can only be purchased off-stage). In 2007 came their third album, ''Home to You'', |
2006 saw the release of their ''B Side'' record, with tracks including guest appearances by [[Sarah Harmer]], [[Luther Wright]], Shaun Brodie, Jason Mercer and [[Ana Egge]] (which can only be purchased off-stage). In 2007 came their third album, ''Home to You'',{{R|Reid review}} which was noted as being focused "on the band's bittersweet relationship with being away from home."{{R|All music}} One reviewer said the album was a "most nourishing slice of [[Americana]]" with a mixture of folk, blues and [[alt-rock]].{{R|Las Vegas Weekly}} |
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''Deer in the Night'' was released in May 2009 with one reviewer noting that there were "touches of jazz idiosyncrasy in their vocal lines, echoes of French chanson, hints of the deliciously odd Nova Scotian folk, all mix''(ed)'' together into an organic whole." |
''Deer in the Night'' was released in May 2009 with one reviewer noting that there were "touches of jazz idiosyncrasy in their vocal lines, echoes of French chanson, hints of the deliciously odd Nova Scotian folk, all mix''(ed)'' together into an organic whole."{{R|Little Village}} Russell was later to note that she had been abused by her stepfather for 10 years when she was a teenager and wrote the song "No Shame" in 2006 following his release from prison.{{R|No Shame}} She said she was encouraged to perform the song on stage by the other band members and the response from members the audiences - many of whom told stories of their abuse - confirmed for her that the issue was "endemic."{{R|No Shame}} She said that it was important to not be silent about what had happened to her.{{R|THIS}} |
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In the summer of 2009, they completed a live album consisting of recordings in venues from their favourite states. The studio album ''Follow Your Bliss'', described as a "listening experience guided by a multitude of masterfully executed instruments which sound simple in their design but intricate in their delivery", |
In the summer of 2009, they completed a live album consisting of recordings in venues from their favourite states. The studio album ''Follow Your Bliss'', described as a "listening experience guided by a multitude of masterfully executed instruments which sound simple in their design but intricate in their delivery",{{R|Line of best fit}} was released in 2010. Joe Breen in ''The Irish Times'' commented that the music on the album showed many influences and could "never be accused of sameness."{{R|The Irish Times}} |
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==Live performances== |
==Live performances== |
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<ref name="Credits">{{cite web |title=Trish Klein - Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/trish-klein-mn0000775008 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> |
<ref name="Credits">{{cite web |title=Trish Klein - Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/trish-klein-mn0000775008 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Salt Lake">{{cite news |last1=Asay |first1=Jeremy |title=Po' Girl: The Canadian Urban-roots Group's Sound Keeps Growing |url=https://m.cityweekly.net/utah/po-girl/Content?oid=2150480 |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=Salt Lake City Weekly |date=9 November 2010}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Journal of roots music">{{cite journal |title=Po’ Girl |journal=The Journal of Roots Music |date=1 September 2003 |url=https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/po-girl-po-girl/ |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Rate Your music">{{cite web |title=Po' Girl |url=https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/po-girl/po-girl/ |website=Rate Your Music |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Uncut">{{cite news |last1=Album reviews |title=Po’ Girl |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/po-girl-16789/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=Uncut |date=1 April 2004}}</ref> |
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<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Keogh |first1=Sue |title=Po' Girl Vagabond Lullabies Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/4mrg/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |publisher=BBC |year=2004}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Now Magazine">{{cite news |last1=Liss |first1=Sarah |title=Po’ Girl New and Notable Releases |url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/po-girl-2 |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=Now Magazine |date=16 September 2004}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Reid review">{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Graham |title=Po' Girl: Home To You (Shock) |url=https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1101/po-girl-home-to-you-shock/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |agency=Elsewhere.co.nz |date=11 March 2007}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Las Vegas Weekly">{{cite news |last1=Pomranz |first1=Kristyn |title=Po' Girl: Home to You |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/archive/2007/may/18/po-girl/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=18 May 2007}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Little Village">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Kent |title=Album Review: Deer in the Night Po' Girl |url=https://littlevillagemag.com/deer-in-the-night-po-girl-cd-review/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |agency=Little Village |date=13 March 2009}}</ref> |
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<ref name="THIS">{{cite news |last1=Hardy |first1=Jenn |title=Po’ Girl sings out against childhood abuse with 2010’s “No Shame” tour |url=https://this.org/2010/05/19/po-girl-no-shame-tour/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |agency=THIS |date=19 June 2010}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Line of best fit">{{cite news |last1=Bucifal |first1=Slavko |title=Po’ Girl – Follow Your Bliss |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/po-girl---follow-your-bliss-40338 |access-date=26 January 2021 |agency=The Line of Best Fit |date=16 November 2010}}</ref> |
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<ref name="The Irish Times">{{cite news |last1=Breen |first1=Joe |title=Po’ Girl |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/po-girl-1.667269 |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=The Irish Times |date=22 October 2010}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 02:42, 27 January 2021
Po' Girl | |
|---|---|
 Po' Girl, performing at the Joshua Tree Music Festival | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Vancouver, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Nettwerk Jericho Beach |
| Members | Allison Russell Awna Teixeira Benny Sidelinger Mikey "Lightning" August |
| Past members | Trish Klein JJ Jones Diona Davies Shelley Okepnak John Raham |
Po' Girl is a Canadian music group whose style derives from folk, country and jazz. The band evolved from a series of jam sessions, in 2000, between Trish Klein of The Be Good Tanyas and Allison Russell, then of Fear of Drinking. The two met up again in 2003 and named themselves Po' Girl. Klein said at the time that the new group offered her the opportunity to write and perform her own songs.[1] Po' Girl recorded their last album in 2010, but the members' musical careers have continued to develop, either as soloists or in other bands. Once based in Vancouver, Po' Girl is now back in the Eastern cities of Toronto and Montreal. The current band lineup is Allison Russell (singer/multi-instrumentalist), Awna Teixeira (singer/multi-instrumentalist), Benny Sidelinger (multi-instrumentalist) and Mikey "Lightning" August.
Musical style
The style of music they perform has been called "urban roots", defined by band founding member Allison Russell as "rural music with urban lyrical content and appeal, typically played on old-timey instruments...defined in its early years...[as]...mostly folk- and country-influenced."[2] The band's sound has been described as having a "bit more jazz and swing" than that of the Be Good Tanyas, and "with straightforward musicianship built around Klein and Russell’s intertwining vocals, Po’ Girl delivers nice, casual music that slowly grooves into the heart."[3] Po' Girl's music has been compared with that of The Band, Hazel Dickens, Tracy Chapman, Natalie Merchant, Elizabeth Cotten and Norah Jones. It showcases melodies from instruments as diverse as banjo, clarinet, harmonica, dobro, accordion, gutbucket bass.
Recordings
They released their self-titled debut album in 2003.[4][5] One reviewer commented on the "folk-mountain fresh" vocals of Klein, the "sleepy clarinet" of Russell and similarities to The Cowboy Junkies and Norah Jones.[6] Shortly after the release of the first album, it was decided to add a new member, Diona Davies who was known to Klein as a skilled fiddler.[1]
In 2004, they recorded and released their second album, Vagabond Lullabies, which included Davies (fiddle, piano and vocals), CR Avery, (hip hopper) from the trio Tons of Fun University, Roey Shemesh on bass and John Raham and Shelley Okepnak on drums. The album was positively received, with Sue Keogh of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) noting that "This is a sweet little gem showcasing some of the finest acoustic musicians Canada currently has to offer,"[7] and Mike Regenstreif in Sing Out! writing, [that] "Hip hop poet C.R. Avery effectively adds spoken word passages to a couple of songs."[1] There were guest appearances on Vagabond Lullabies from Frazey Ford and Ani DiFranco.[1] One reviewer stated that Vagabond Lullabies had more "depth and maturity" than their debut album, with contrasting vocals and good harmonies, but did comment that there was "still an odd Americana-goes-pop polish that keeps Po’ Girl from sounding entirely authentic."[8]
2006 saw the release of their B Side record, with tracks including guest appearances by Sarah Harmer, Luther Wright, Shaun Brodie, Jason Mercer and Ana Egge (which can only be purchased off-stage). In 2007 came their third album, Home to You,[9] which was noted as being focused "on the band's bittersweet relationship with being away from home."[10] One reviewer said the album was a "most nourishing slice of Americana" with a mixture of folk, blues and alt-rock.[11]
Deer in the Night was released in May 2009 with one reviewer noting that there were "touches of jazz idiosyncrasy in their vocal lines, echoes of French chanson, hints of the deliciously odd Nova Scotian folk, all mix(ed) together into an organic whole."[12] Russell was later to note that she had been abused by her stepfather for 10 years when she was a teenager and wrote the song "No Shame" in 2006 following his release from prison.[13] She said she was encouraged to perform the song on stage by the other band members and the response from members the audiences - many of whom told stories of their abuse - confirmed for her that the issue was "endemic."[13] She said that it was important to not be silent about what had happened to her.[14]
In the summer of 2009, they completed a live album consisting of recordings in venues from their favourite states. The studio album Follow Your Bliss, described as a "listening experience guided by a multitude of masterfully executed instruments which sound simple in their design but intricate in their delivery",[15] was released in 2010. Joe Breen in The Irish Times commented that the music on the album showed many influences and could "never be accused of sameness."[16]
Live performances
In 2005 Davies estimated that the band had been touring for at least 10 months of the previous year, and admitted that much of the band's material was inspired from being on the road.[17]
The band made their first tour to Scotland in 2010, playing at the Edinburgh Festival,[18] and followed this up with a series of concerts around UK and Ireland. Folk Radio noted at the time:
"It’s impossible to put this band in a tidy little box – they’re equally at home in Douala, Cameroon playing the Massao World Music Festival, as they are at the International Jazz Festival in Montreal, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Woodford Music Festival in Australia or just playing for fun for the people in Vondel Park, Amsterdam."[19]
They played Ontario in 2012 which they found "inspiring",[20] and when interviewed before a concert in 2011, Russell said that the group was a "modern-day troupe of nomads" who had toured extensively and she was "willing to make sacrifices to see where the road would take Po’ Girl."[21]
Ongoing musical careers of members
Russell has continued her musical career, being a member and co-director of the band Birds of Chicago since 2012,[22] and from 2019 has performed with and written for the band Our Native Daughters,[23] whose debut album Songs of Our Native Daughters was widely acclaimed.[24][25][26]
From 2006 Davies has been a member of the band E.S.L..
Trish Klein has continued to work with The Be Good Tanyas, as well as having credits for recording with Frazey Ford, Ana Egge, Bill Bourne and on several roots revival compilation albums.[27]
In 2012 Awna Teixeira released a solo album Where the Darkness Goes. She was joined by Allison Russell on this recording and the music was said to show inspiration from a wide range of sources that created songs in a folk style which were observations of her "life and times and travels."[28]
Photo gallery
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Allison Russell of Po' Girl, performing at Wood, 2009 -
Awna Teixeira of Po' Girl, performing at Wood, 2009
Discography
- 2003 Po' Girl
- 2004 Vagabond Lullabies
- 2006 B-side recordings
- 2007 Home to You
- 2009 Deer in the Night
- 2010 Follow Your Bliss
References
- ^ a b c d "Po' Girl Alternative folk group". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Asay, Jeremy (9 November 2010). "Po' Girl: The Canadian Urban-roots Group's Sound Keeps Growing". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Po' Girl". The Journal of Roots Music. 1 September 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Heselgrave, Douglas (January 2004). "Downwind with Trish Klein". The Music Box. 11 (1). Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Po' Girl". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Album reviews (1 April 2004). "Po' Girl". Uncut. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Keogh, Sue (2004). "Po' Girl Vagabond Lullabies Review". BBC. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Liss, Sarah (16 September 2004). "Po' Girl New and Notable Releases". Now Magazine. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Reid, Graham (11 March 2007). "Po' Girl: Home To You (Shock)". Elsewhere.co.nz. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "Po' Girl Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Pomranz, Kristyn (18 May 2007). "Po' Girl: Home to You". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Williams, Kent (13 March 2009). "Album Review: Deer in the Night Po' Girl". Little Village. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ a b Gewerz, Daniel (1 March 2010). "Po' Girls' Allison Russell gives voice to victims of sexual abuse". Boston Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Hardy, Jenn (19 June 2010). "Po' Girl sings out against childhood abuse with 2010's "No Shame" tour". THIS. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Bucifal, Slavko (16 November 2010). "Po' Girl – Follow Your Bliss". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Breen, Joe (22 October 2010). "Po' Girl". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Thornton, Stuart (18 August 2005). "Po' Girl brings the road tunes". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Po'Girl". Edinburgh Festival. 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Po' Girl UK & Ireland Tour". Folk Radio. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Sly, Mathieu (20 January 2012). "More than a hobby". The Queen's Journal. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Parlin, Geri (12 March 2011). "Po' Girl to perform roots music at Pump House". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Studio Sessions (19 July 2016). "Birds Of Chicago On World Cafe". NPR. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Gotrich, Lars (13 December 2018). "Rhiannon Giddens Forms Our Native Daughters, Shares Harrowing 'Mama's Cryin' Long'". NPR. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Songs of Our Native Daughters". Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ New Horizons (7 April 2019). "Songs of our Native Daughters". Radio New Zealand (RNZ). Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "'Songs Of Our Native Daughters' Lays Out A Crucial, Updated Framework for Americana February 14, 2019". First Listen. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Trish Klein - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Awna Teixeira 'Where The Darkness Goes' - Self-Release". Lonesome Highway. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
External links
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
