Spirits in the Water (Matay Records)
Dione Taylor
Released September 11, 2020
JAZZ FM 25 Best Jazz Albums of 2020
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About:
According to the Yuchi Indian Tribe there is a powerful legend of the Tanasi River or “Singing River” in Tennessee. Inside the waterway lives a woman who sings songs to protect those who hear her. Inspired by this mythical folklore, Dione Taylor took an insightful road trip to Nashville Tennessee and found inspiration for her vivid new album, “Spirits in the Water.” This musical odyssey explores the deep sacred, healing journey back to the self.
“Legendary stories and family history travel through us, flow into the waters and down the bloodline,” explains the Regina, Saskatchewan born singer who first made a name for herself as one of this country’s most talented singer/songwriters, “If the water speaks, and if we are still and listen then what fascinating stories do we hear? Perhaps, tales of eternal happiness, brutal hardship, necessary murder, unspeakable love and beautiful pain are buried in the muddy waters.”
Continuing on with her unmistakable ‘Prairie Blues’ sound, Dione’s music is a mixture of Roots, Blues and Americana. She brings us on an intriguing and magical, thematic journey through song with stories of Mystical Truths (“Water”), Race Inequality, (“Working”), Hiraeth or Homesickness (“Where I Belong”), Women’s Rights (“Down the Bloodline”), Heartbreak (“One More Shot”), Omnipresent Energy (“Spirit”), Injustice (“How Many Times”), Nigredo or Transformation (“Darkness”), Freedom (“Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”) and Perseverance (“Running”). Dione’s sharply honed song writing chops shine through on original songs featuring both intellectual depth and emotional eloquence. This diversity of tones and tempos on Spirits in The Water ensures that the listener’s attention never wavers through the album.
A key creative collaborator on Spirits In The Water is Joel Schwartz , who produced and co-wrote much the album with Taylor, and made potent instrumental contributions on guitar and banjo. “I met Joel around five years ago, when he started playing in my band, the Backsliderz,” Dione recalls. “Then we started writing and developing a sound together that we have been running with ever since.
Dione’s long-time creative collaborator Sandy Mamane produced and co-wrote two songs with Taylor for the album. Other noted songwriters contributing in that role here are James Bryan (Philosopher Kings, Prozzak), Sean Pinchin, and Liz Tansey.
Music has always been an important and integral part of Dione Taylor’s life. A pastor’s daughter, she was born and raised in a family she describes as “really connected to the gift of song. My whole family sings and plays instruments in church,” praises Ms. Taylor, who began playing the organ at age four and by ten was the music director and organist at The Shiloh Assembly Church (Apostolic) in Regina.
Having first burst onto the music scene with her Juno nominated debut album “Open Your Eyes”, Taylor’s career trajectory has been truly remarkable. With performances at festivals and concert theatres across the United States, Canada and Asia for audiences that have included the President of the United States and Queen Elizabeth II, Taylor has made a worthy name for herself as one of this country’s most talented musicians and songstresses. Taylor was nominated for a Gemini Award for her rendition of Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom,” which she performed alongside Oliver Jones at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala. Taylor is also the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award Mentorship Program. With performances at Folk, Blues, Jazz and Rock Festivals across North America, Dione is a seasoned and electrifying performer who constantly energizes her audiences. She has also become a familiar face at music conferences like Folk Alliance International, Folk Music Canada, Folk Music Ontario, Contact East, Women’s Blues Revue and the Blues Summit.
Track Listing:
1. Water 03:53
2. Workin’ 03:55
3. Where I Belong 04:23
4. Down The Bloodline 03:47
5. One More Shot 03:36
6. Spirit 04:27
7. How Many Times 02:29
8. Darkness 03:40
9. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around 03:39
10. Running 02:44
Personnel:
Dione Taylor: vocals, backing vocals (2), tambourine (2, 6)
Joel Schwartz: guitar (1-5), banjo (4), backing vocals (2)
Lyle Molzan: drums (1-5, 7, 8, 10), tambourine (7, 10), backing vocals (2)
Mark McIntyre: bass (1-5, 7, 8, 10), moog bass (3, 7), backing vocals (2)
Jordan O’Connor: bass (6, 9)
Benjamin Rollo: drums (6, 9)
Nichol Robertson: guitar (6, 9), Banjo (6), rhythm guitar (9)
Sean Pinchin: electric guitar (6), rhythm guitar (9)
Jessica Deutsch: violino (4)
Jeff McLeod: órgão (2)
Joel Visentin: orgão (6), piano (9), Wurlitzer (9)
Produced by Joel Schwartz (1-5, 7, 8 & 10), by Sandy Mamane (6 & 9) and by Tim Abraham (1-5, 7, 8 & 10)
Recorded by Jeremy Darby (6 & 9)
Mixed by Tim Abraham
Mastered by Joao Carvalho
Photos by Crilaphoto
Graphic Design by Yesim Tosuner
Review:
Aside from all the fine musicianship and singing here the prominent instrument here is the outstanding production values of Joel Schwartz and Sandy Mamane. The instrument placement and tonal quality of the music jumps out at me, but I digress. Canada’s Dione Taylor commanding voice is the star of the show, followed closely by the talented musicians supporting her musical vision. The instrumentation is the usual suspects of guitar, keyboards, bass and drums along with banjo and violin on a few selections. All save one song are co-penned by Dione.
The album’s title is derived from the Tanasi River(Singing River) in Tennessee. Legend has it that there is a woman living in the waterway who sings songs to protect those who hear her. From the promo sheet-“This Musical odyssey explores the deep sacred, healing journey back to the self”.
The lead off track “Water” is a slice of stylized pop enhanced by Joel Schwartz’s textured guitar play. It’s essentially the title track. As elsewhere on the CD, the device of clicking drumsticks together is employed here, reminiscent of some Adam Ant songs. “Workin’” is an energetic slide guitar infused tune. An intense and mysterious vibe infuses the searching “Where I Belong” with its’ haunting Delta-ish guitar in the background.
“Down The Line” is about Sojurner Truth, the black female abolitionist and civil rights activist. Banjo, guitar and violin intermingle. The chance of reconciling a relationship is the subject of the moody “One More Shot” with its’ mournful dobro. Banjo competes with electric slide guitar on the gospel influenced rhythm fest “Spirit”. “How Many Times” carries on in a similar vain.
More mysterious swampy vibes on the haunting “Darkness”. Additional lyrics are added to the traditional “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” that speaks of racism and equality to a torrent of bubbling guitars. “Running” is an energetic force musically and lyrically.
A modern day eloquently delivered thought provoking journey through one woman’s humanity. The craftsmanship at work here is seamless and moving while steering away from slickness. Every element gels, resulting in a cohesive and satisfying musical experience. The instrumentation is apropos in every setting. This is a complex work worthy of revisiting time and again. No run of the mill project this one.
Greg “Bluesdog” Szalony (Blues Blast Magazine)
