Review: David Martel CD Release @ Cabaret JPR

by SolarDog

Dave Martel

The house was filled with musicians of all kinds. Dave Martel has some good friendships in the music community and many of them were present this past Thursday night at his “Debutante Ball” CD launch for the new album “I Hardly Knew Me” at the cabaret JPR. And they were there for good reasons; a night of really great music.

Mike O’Brien opened up the night with a solo set of his very bestest tunes. Mike has a way of drawing in the audience from the first note plucked on his guitar to the very last. His fingerstyle technique is so advanced that not only are you drawn into the lyrics of his humorous, yet contemplative lyrics, but the arrangements, chord progressions, finger patterns and all other elements of his music. I’ve seen Mike play a few times before this, and like always, his performance was just as consistent and if anything, his playing was more polished that I’ve seen it before. In addition, Martel made a cameo during the track Josephine singing some really beautiful harmonies together with O’Brien.

The solo acoustic guitar set was followed up with an electrified set from Ladies of the Canyon. I had the pleasure of running sound for the Ladies at the last Indyish Mess, but in a different capacity, considering there were just four of them and they were playing an acoustic set. In addition the the LOTC’s beautiful harmonic voices and acoustic guitars, they brought with them a skilled country-electric guitarist and a drummer to hold down the rhythm section with bassist Anna Ruddick. Maia Davies played keys, while Senja Sargeant, and (a very pregnant!) Jasmine Bleile played guitars and sang. There’s a nice balance between the songs (each written by different members of the band) moving from country ballads, to contemporary rockers and definite nods towards the classic songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris. The Ladies keep things mixed up on stage by switching instruments, lead vocals and their places on stage.

On to Mr. David Martel… well, what can I say. I guess I can start by repeating what I heard in the restroom after the show; converstations including comments such as “Woah! Where did this guy come from?” and “What an incredibly complete (musical) package this guy has put together.” I’m guessing that this was a reference to the 12 players he had on stage with him, including a cellist, violinist, flutist, trumpet player, pianist/ synth player, drummer, bassist, electric guitarist, accordionist, and two back up vocalists… whew!! What a package indeed. They were introduced to the audience as Martel’s “very bestest friendships” and there sure was a clear camaraderie between this group of players - and chemistry!

There were moments of complete synergy on stage, where all the musicians were playing as a complete unit. Moments of instrumental interludes between songs, recalling the sounds of post-rock bands such as Godspeed and Do Make Say Think, as well as total free improvisation, kept popping up to keep the crowd on its feet and helped greatly to transition one song to the next. Adding to the smooth flow between songs was David’s humorous banter, including a moment dedicated to his francophone grandmother which was recited in the most entertaining (and very endearing) quebecoise slang!

I don’t know if I can say anything else in words to help cover the sense of what was accomplished last Thursday night. Martel has been working on this record for about a year with Dave Sturton at DNA studio in Montreal along with engineer Kevin Gault who ran the phenomenal sound for the David Martel portion of the show. So, there was a LOT of emotion on the stage and at one point my eyes did in fact swell up with some tears. All this to say that there were some very real things happening on stage at the Cabaret JPR.

All the best with the launch Dave, I hope it sells millions! Good luck with future tours and a BIG congratulations on a fantastic show.