SARAH HARMER

[♥Mary♥]

umusic.ca/sarahharmer/art/header.jpg[/img]

If you haven't checked out this Canadian singer/songwriter, you're missing out!

Ok, if you've been hanging around the Lounge and seen my Poll thread you know that I just purchased her new album, All Of Our Names. (and you know that when I try to plug an artist I tell a lot!... so bear with me here...) It's her follow-up to 2000's You Were Here. Both are TERRIFIC albums. YWH was named best debut album by Time magazine in 2000. Prior to that, she released a collection of re-made songs with Jason Euringer in 1999 called Songs For Clem. They are songs from the 30s, 40s, and 50s that are Sarah's father's favorites (Clem is her father) and she sang them for him. From that album I absolutely LOVE the Nanci Griffith song "Trouble In the Fields" (Jay, I know you love it, too!) and also "Summertime", the Gerswhin classic. Prior to THAT, back in the 90s Sarah was the lead for a Canadian band called Weeping Tile. Don't know if any of you know their music or not... I've yet to fully check it out myself. But her first proper solo debut album of her original work was You Were Here.

Probably her 'best-known' song from that debut album is her Basement Apartment. That's the song that got me into her music about 4 years ago.

What I enjoy about Sarah most is her crystal-clear and very strong voice. Also, her lyrics are some of the most poetic I've ever experienced. She's a great storyteller. Her writing gets compared to Joni Mitchell, while her musical style is very similar to Natalie Merchant, Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin, Suzanne Vega, etc.

This new album was recorded in her home in Canada, save for 2 tracks done in a nearby empty strip mall. LOL That probably sounds like it might be a low-quality thing, but it ISN'T! Her work is all about well-written, interesting music that can be earthy and simple (with songs like 'Coffee Stain' and 'Tether') just as easily as it can be grand and pop/rock-ish (with songs like 'Weakened State' or 'Almost').

My most favorite song of hers, in fact, is one that blends both styles.... it's called Lodestar, and it's from the You Were Here album. It starts off all acoustic sounding, with Sarah's guitar and vocals (btw, she plays every guitar known to humankind and she does have a 'band' but she herself plays about a dozen other instruments... all WELL!) telling a story... very dreamy-like. Sarah borrowed lines from D.H. Lawrence's poem "New Year's Eve" and turns them into the awesome chorus part for the finish of her story, with layers of music that build on top of each other, going from acoustic sounding into the multi-musical explosion finish at the end.... all while her voice manages to remain the strongest 'instrument'... I just love it... it gives me chills each and everytime! (Mandy, don't you LOVE it?!)

Sarah says that her debut album was a bit more personal and reflective of things going on in her life back then, whereas this new one is more about the human connection, the human potential and 'small world' experiences. She said now that's she's into her 30s her focus has changed a bit. The song that is the 'backbone' behind this idea on the album is Dandelions in Bulletholes.... it's in my sig currently.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite from this album... I love the WHOLE THING! I think "Took It All" is really grabbing me right now, though, and "Greeting Card Aisle" is so dark and wonderful.

I could go on and on, but really you should just check her out....

Here are some links to do just that:

Sarah's official website, where you can currently hear FOUR of the new songs,
AND be sure to go to the video page where you can see one new video (Almost) and one older one (Weakened State):
www.sarahharmer.com/
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See one new video and 2 older ones at Yahoo Launch:
(Almost, Basement Apartment, and Don't Get Your Back Up)
launch.yahoo.com/artist/videos.asp?artistID=1053670


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A nice write-up about Sarah's new album...
3 songs available for FREE DOWNLOAD (Pendulums, Almost, Dandelions In Bulletholes)
plus the VIDEO for Silver Road (scroll down a bit). Silver Road was a song that was used in the movie "Men With Brooms", and is also found on that Soundtrack.
umusic.ca/sarahharmer/index.php

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Hear clips of all the new songs and read her bio
Plus, see the Almost video.
(note: it's a bit frustrating for me listening to the clips b/c they often cut off just as the chorus is building/beginning... and you need to hear that part!)
www.sarahharmer.net/

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reviews:

www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=19502

www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDMISS70401151627591186&sql=A24jeeaw64xd7

www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,3190,00.html

Billboard Mag review of a live show:
www.billboard.com/bb/livereviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000484182

Very detailed fan review of one of Sarah's recent shows:
www.aboutlastnight.org.uk/Sarah%20Harmer.htm
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Whew! I think that should do it! I really enjoy her music... so much so that it's hard for me to believe she's not more well-known than she is. I hope some of you check her out!

[mandy]

Mary!!

Lodestar was the first song I heard by Sarah. An online buddy sent me the MP3, b/c she said the song made her think of me when she heard it. I was totally flattered after I gave it a listen...it's one of the most beautiful songs ever. I did not, however realize that some of the lyrics were from a D.H. Lawrence poem. Guess I should brush up on my Miss Harmer history...eh?

Several months after I first heard Lodestar, my good friend, Michelle, purchased YWH and burned me a copy...I still listen to it all the time!

[♥Mary♥]

Mandy said:

Mary!!

Lodestar was the first song I heard by Sarah. An online buddy sent me the MP3, b/c she said the song made her think of me when she heard it. I was totally flattered after I gave it a listen...it's one of the most beautiful songs ever. I did not, however realize that some of the lyrics were from a D.H. Lawrence poem. Guess I should brush up on my Miss Harmer history...eh?

Several months after I first heard Lodestar, my good friend, Michelle, purchased YWH and burned me a copy...I still listen to it all the time!

That's wonderful.

I think I know exactly what your friend meant by the song making her think of you.... the song makes me think of a friend, too. Hard to explain why, but it just does!

[♥Mary♥]

Mandy said:

I did not, however realize that some of the lyrics were from a D.H. Lawrence poem. Guess I should brush up on my Miss Harmer history...eh?

Mandy!! LOL,

I went to find the poem for you. You can see that it's a bit of a racy poem, really, and Sarah left out the 'racier' bits (thankfully, otherwise this song would not remind me of the friend it does! lol).
I absolutely LOVE how she starts the climax of the song with "and waaaaait for it" and then ends with the "the darkness rings"...and they way she's yelling/pleading 'take off your things' like that before the end. To me, it's saying more of 'let everything go' than take off your 'things' (like clothes or whatever).


NEW YEAR'S EVE

by: D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930)

HERE are only two things now,
The great black night scooped out
And this fire-glow.

This fire-glow, the core,
And we the two ripe pips
That are held in store.

Listen, the darkness rings
As it circulates round our fire.
Take off your things.

Your shoulders, your bruised throat!
Your breasts, your nakedness!
This fiery coat!

As the darkness flickers and dips,
As the firelight falls and leaps
From your feet to your lips!

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and here's Sarah's lyrics for the whole song:

Lodestar

Out of the night, into the water,
We push the boat from shore.
Breaking the air in the stillness of the bay.

Intensity of stars reflected in the harbour,
Silently ignite.
The oar dips in to oil like water and we,
Are away.

Your hand won't write, not tonight,
But your mind may wander.
Into those deep lagoons that you know.

And your boat will go, by starlight alone.
"Da da da da da da da da"
You sang to the moon.
In the great black night with no lodestar,
In sight.

Out in the night, out on the water,
We pull the boat back to shore.
Breathing the air in the stillness of the bay.
Intensity of stars reflected in the water,
Silently ignite.
The oar dips in to oil like water and we,
Are away.
Under the moon,
In the great black night with no lodestar,
In sight.

And wait for it,
There are only two things now.
This great black night,
And the fire glow.
Listen, the darkness rings,
The darkness.
Listen, the darkness rings.
And wait for it,
There are only two of us now.
This great black night scooped out,
And this fire glow.
Listen, the darkess rings,
The darkness,
Listen, the darkness rings.
Take off your things,
And listen, the darkness rings

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So pretty and so powerful.
I italicized my favorite parts, lol.


It's one of my top favorite songs of all time, not just of hers.

[mandy]

Thanks for posting that poem, Mary!

I'm in agreement with you on the 'take off your things' part...more of a pleading to 'let go' than 'get naked'.

*sings* ...and wait for it...there are only two things now...

Amazing song.

[♥Mary♥]

Mandy said:

I'm in agreement with you on the 'take off your things' part...more of a pleading to 'let go' than 'get naked'.

*sings* ...and wait for it...there are only two things now...

Amazing song.

LOL, right. No nakedness... more like lose what's not necessary so that what is can get stronger.
The 'darkness rings' is strangely comforting to me, too.
You know how sometimes it's easier to say things in the dark... I just love that part.

Also, I found out that Lodestar was originally an a Weeping Tile song. There's an OOP Weeping Tile EP called "This Great Black Night" with their version of it on there... along with the WT versions of Coffee Stain and Weakened State! (plus 2 other songs). I would LOVE to get my hands on that cassette!

members.tripod.com/~weeping_tile1/blacknight.html

Note: If there are any Canadians reading this who might know how/where I can find one for purchase, please PM me!

[mandy]

Mary,

I just have to say...this new CD of Sarah's that you gave me for my birthday...it's WONDERFUL! When I first listened to the clips of it online (several weeks ago) I wasn't too sure I'd dig it...but I was wrong. It's a great CD!

Thanks again!

[♥Mary♥]

Mandy said:

Mary,

I just have to say...this new CD of Sarah's that you gave me for my birthday...it's WONDERFUL! When I first listened to the clips of it online (several weeks ago) I wasn't too sure I'd dig it...but I was wrong. It's a great CD!

Thanks again!

Hoorayyy!

Oh, and I asked you how you were liking it in the Listening to thread before I saw this, so ignore! LOL

Glad you're diggin' it, Mandy.
I still think I'd put You Were Here just a notch, or maybe a half-notch above this album for overall liking. (You were here gets a 9.5/10 and All Of Our Names gets a 9/10 from me.)

I really like how this album has some beautiful quiet moments and shows off Sarah's voice so well. Her last album was a bit more showy in the music and a little more upbeat. But, still, both are GREAT! (as you now know!)



And you're so very welcome. Again. ♥

[mandy]

I have to agree...not quite as good as You Were Here, but close.

Rarely do I find that the sophomore album of someone that I got into during their debut phase is as good or I love as much...does that make sense?

There are exceptions, of course...like Tori, but in general, not much tops what I first fell in love with for most artists.