Wilfred Langmaid, Author at Anglican Journal

Penner’s tunes hold up with repeated playing

Wilfred Langmaid — Thu, 01 Apr 1999 05:00:00 +0000

WHILE I HAVE been a music reviewer since 1981, it is certainly true that I was singularly unqualified to review children’s albums until the birth of our daughter, Bethany, in 1996. Readers who are parents will surely appreciate the fact that I am now eminently qualified to review this genre! By and large, children enjoy […]

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Pop-rocker Hornsby emerges as an inventive pianist

Wilfred Langmaid — Mon, 01 Mar 1999 05:00:00 +0000

A DECADE AND A HALF ago, Bruce Hornsby brought back to contemporary music a niche – a brand of pop rock with piano as a lead instrument. Every aspect of his style has matured through the years, and the latest document of this is his double album, Spirit Trail. Hornsby first made his mark with […]

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Singer’s work ready for mass consumption

Wilfred Langmaid — Mon, 01 Feb 1999 05:00:00 +0000

SOMETIMES, ONE almost gets the impression that the music of New Brunswick singer/songwriter Brent Mason is just a bit too good for mass consumption. There seems to be no other explanation as to why the outstanding material that he has released during this decade has not brought him national fame. Maybe Mason’s lyrics are a […]

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Soundtrack CDs cross roads

Wilfred Langmaid — Mon, 01 Feb 1999 05:00:00 +0000

DURING THE 1990s, the motion picture soundtrack has evolved to become a major market force. There are countless examples of high-powered star and single filled soundtracks being the catalyst for commercial success for a movie that needs all the help it can get. Such is not the case with The Prince Of Egypt, the DreamWorks […]

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Nelson finds gold in what’s old

Wilfred Langmaid — Fri, 01 Jan 1999 05:00:00 +0000

One of the most common storylines for a song is the shattered loverelationship, and this tendency is even more prevalent in country music. Fewdo it with more consistency, eloquence, and soul-baring honesty than 65-year-oldWillie Nelson. Nelson has fashioned a career with many artistic, commercial, and personal twists and turns, marked by more than 60 albums […]

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Eclectic sound includes toys

Wilfred Langmaid — Tue, 01 Dec 1998 05:00:00 +0000

SINCE 1974, American musician Chip Davis has released an eclectic blend of instrumental music on his American Gramaphone label. The front act for this label is his ever-evolving unit of musicians Mannheim Steamroller. While Mannheim Steamroller albums tend to be placed in the New Age section of music stores, the product is really electronic-cored music […]

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Labour of love sends positive messages in benefit record

Wilfred Langmaid — Tue, 01 Dec 1998 05:00:00 +0000

A GROUP OF Ottawa-based musicians have collaborated with a variety of embassies and the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral on Sparks Street to release an album of inspiration, co-operation, and joy. Christmas Mosaic 2 is a collection of 24 songs gathered from 22 countries in our global village. The pieces are all traditional to the representative […]

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Merchant a melancholy spirit

Wilfred Langmaid — Thu, 01 Oct 1998 04:00:00 +0000

WHEN SHE WAS the lyricist, vocalist and focal point of 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant was known for topical lyrics and social awareness. With her second solo album, the 35-year-old artist has deepened her lyrical scope while narrowing her melodic style. Commercially, the consequences of this ethereal sound may be questionable, but 10,000 Maniacs were never […]

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Linden’s new disc a winning fusion of roots and pop

Wilfred Langmaid — Tue, 01 Sep 1998 04:00:00 +0000

HAVING SETTLED into a comfortable niche as a guitarist, songwriter, producer and wide-ranging collaborator, Colin Linden has become an elder statesman of Canadian rock music. He might be better known as a sideman for legends ranging from Bruce Cockburn to The Band, but his solo album career has witnessed a fascinating musical and spiritual pilgrimage. […]

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Still grooving after second album

Wilfred Langmaid — Wed, 01 Jul 1998 04:00:00 +0000

IN 1996, the Minneapolis-based trio Semisonic served notice that they had a future in pop music with their debut album Great Divide. Among the attention that it received, the best publicity was its inclusion in the year-end best-of list compiled by Rolling Stone magazine. The follow-up, Feeling Strangely Fine, proves that the debut was no […]

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