Evalyn Parry
Country of origin:
Canada
Type of music generally:
Contemporary folk
Status:
Most recent release, To Live in the Age of Melting: Northwest Passage (2014)
See also:
Evalyn Parry's site
Comparisons:
Two Nice Girls, Meryn Cadell, Christine Lavin
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Evalyn Parry balances humorous and serious topics well in her music. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Any
Recordings:
- things that should be warnings (2001)
- Unreasonable (2003)
- Small Theatres (2007)
- Spin (c. 2011)
- To Live in the Age of Melting: Northwest Passage (2014)
things that should be warnings
Release info:
2001—Ponygirl Records (Toronto, Canada)—PG004D
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Evalyn Parry—lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, flute, ango concertina, the DD9
Guest artists:
Trevor Mills—acoustic guitar, electric bass
Shelley Coopersmith—fiddle
Morgan Phillips—electric bass
Doug Morris—harmonica
Produced by:
Suzanne Nuttall
Comments:
Evalyn Parry's first album balances weighty topics with humorous songs well. In that she reminds me of Two Nice Girls and Meryn Cadell. She has a lovely voice and she uses it well. The hilarious "Gay Rover" is a song in the old folk tradition with a gay twist. The spoken word "Hunger" is very affecting. Parry exposes the modern woman's fight against ideal images well. "I refuse to come in a convenient size" she says. "Just another song about love" is that, and we will always need those. Its jazzy feel is great. A very nice debut in all. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Unreasonable
Release info:
2003—Outspoke—OS001D
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Evalyn Parry—vocals, guitar, ango concertina
Guest artists:
Brad Hart—drums, percussion, vocals
George Koller—upright bass
Ken Whiteley—guitar, banjo, organ, vibraphone, percussion, electric bass, piano, lap steel, backing vocals
Trevor Mills—electric bass
Claire Jenkins—vocals
Marilyn Lern—piano
Roman Borys—cello
Colleen Allen—alto and soprano saxophone
Davide Direnzo—drums
Oliver Schroer—electric and acoustic fiddle
Suzie Vinnick—electric green bass, vocals
Produced by:
Ken Whiteley
Comments:
The second album is just as good as the first. We get more personal reflections on the state of the world and more thoughts on love. The critical "Canada dreams of California" is a fairly straightforward folk song with gorgeous singing. The title echoes a song by Dar Williams. "Always" is an irresistible cabaret style song from the perspective of a maxi pad. That's unusual and fascinating fare. "Profit in the Margins" questions the nation's sudden interest in the "Gay market" with abandon and wit. It's another special album by this new artist. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell work on this entry.
