Emilie-Claire Barlow’s 7th vocal jazz CD the positively stylish “Haven’t We
Met?” is an engaging collection of songs. Self produced in Toronto at Doane
Leblanc Studios, the 13 track album which releases on March 10 2009 (via her
own Empress Music Group imprint and KOCH distribution) is filled to the brim
with musical conversations; some reflective, some intimate and some cheeky.
Joined by a vibrant cast of Canadian musicians, the disc features Reg Schwager
on guitar Ross MacIntyre on bass, Dave Restivo on piano and Davide DiRenzo on
drums. What makes “Haven’t We Met?” a record of prominence is its simple
beauty. Songs of lust and longing sit side by side songs rushing with pure
exhilarated joie de vivre. It’s a collection that snapshots spontaneous
dreamers who yearn to fall desperately in love. Emilie-Claire’s dexterity in
her pitch perfect rollercoaster vocalese is at its height, surely inspired by
an unlocked stream of consciousness that is almost apologetic in its truth.
There is a rare directness here enhanced by the superb clarity and warmth in
Emilie-Claire’s joyful confident singing and her imaginative arrangements that
respect and celebrate the songs and showcase marvelous musicians. Emilie-
Claire Barlow was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the National Jazz
Awards in 2008 for her work on her sixth album¸ The Very Thought Of You. The
album, which critics commented was a work which saw the singer come into her
own, was also nominated for a Juno Award. Her performance of Alex Kramer’s
“There Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens “ at the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Gala was also nominated for a Gemini Award in the same year.