ChristianWeek

Laila Biali—From Sea to Sky

From Sea to Sky may not be the CD I’ve been anticipating from Laila Biali, but it might even be better. This is not “The Radiance Project” I first heard about when my wife and I heard Laila performing solo at an Imago event in 2006 or when we saw her with her trio at Humber College. Apparently that CD is slated to be released later this year.

This CD contains Laila’s jazz interpretations of pieces by 10 Canadian songwriters plus her own instrumental, “Radiance.” Of this track she writes that she had been meditating on the theme of beauty and came across Psalm 34 where it says, “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

I suspect it’s impossible to record such a project without having listeners second-guess her song selections. Everyone has favourite songwriters and songs. Two of her best choices here are Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” and Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem.”

What makes “Woodstock” a standout is Laila’s unique jazz arrangement—so unlike the rock of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or Matthews Southern Comfort, or even Mitchell’s original folk rendition. It sounds like an interpretation Joni would do today— if she returned to recording.

Laila’s beautiful version of “Anthem” augments Cohen’s insightful lyrics by placing them in such a memorable frame: “There is a crack, there is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

Other songwriters represented include Ron Sexsmith, Sarah McLachlan and Jane Siberry. I was a little disappointed that from Bruce Cockburn’s extensive recordings she selected “Stolen Land” for this album. Hopefully she isn’t being deliberately reticent about her faith. There are so many Cockburn pieces which would have expressed deeper spiritual truths.

I also can’t help but wonder about the songwriters that could have been included: Neil Young, Daniel Lanois, Robbie Robertson or even a gospel performer such as Steve Bell.

From Sea to Sky is produced by Claire Lawrence who hit Canadian charts 30 years ago with The Hometown Band’s blend of jazz and rock.

Laila has a great voice for jazz and the musicianship is excellent; I’m particularly drawn to her piano and Don Thompson’s vibraphone. If you like the piano jazz of Diana Krall, you just might like Laila Biali even better.

Rickie Lee Jones–The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard

You may remember Rickie Lee Jones for the be-bopping single “Chuck E’s In Love” that launched her career significantly in 1979. Her newest CD demonstrates how far she’s come through the years. The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard is inspired by Lee Cantelon’s book, The Words, a new rendering of the words of Jesus. Some cuts seem drawn directly from the book and even credit Cantelon as one of the writers, while others leave you looking for the connection.

On “Where I like It Best” she drones: “I wanted to pray/ I wanted to let you go on your way.” Reflecting on Christ’s teaching she asks: “How do you pray in a world like this?” The song continues, “God hears every secret that you say/ see all those people praying on tv and the churches/ they like to make a big parade out of what they’re doing.” Jones is bringing the first and 21st centuries into collision.

Clearly Rickie Lee Jones is unconcerned with making pop music. Yes, some tracks could slip into a radio playlist, such as the single “Falling Up” with its soaring vocals, or the rocker “Tried To Be A Man,” but on some others her singing is more like a dissonant chant.

On “I Was There” we have “Frank Sinatra on the juke box” and people of every generation catching some recognition, Emmaus-style: “I was there when Jesus walked…You are there where Jesus walked.”

D.S. Martin is a Canadian poet and writer. His poetry chapbook So The Moon Would Not Be Swallowed (Rubicon Press) is now available from www.dsmartin.ca and www.rubiconpress.org.