Day One Review

Two and a half years after the release of Nightbugs (WEA) and over a year since her last tour circuit, Sarah Slean emerges in September 2004 with a new full length album “Day One,” which featured several songs written in the woods of rural Ontario. The album is markedly different from her previous releases, but is not a far cry from some of the upbeat sounds heard on Nightbugs.

Long-time fans who appreciate the more mellow aspects to Sarah’s music may be disappointed with this album due to it being strongly produced and percussion heavy. The album, perhaps shockingly, has Major chords! Sarah Slean grew, got noticeably happier in her music, and is fearless in letting it show. With the help of Pete Prilesnik and Dan Kurtz, she was able to create the pop rock album she’s always wanted, but been unable to create.

The surprisingly confident and catchy “Pilgrim” serves as the opening track to Day One, followed by “Lucky Me,” the album’s first single. Both songs signal long time fans of a dramatic change to Sarah Slean’s musical approach on this album. As with most tracks, guitars and drums take over where Sarah’s piano once lead, both in previous albums and in live performances.

California, though a particular favorite among many, lacks the emotional fervor captured in her live renditions of the song. Despite this, it remains one of the shining pieces of musical craftsmanship on this album. This track is seated closely alongside Wake Up for its musical quality and Vertigo for its spectacularly well-written lyrics. Not so surprisingly, these three songs are the most reminiscent of Slean’s past work.

Day One marks a new day in musical creativity for Sarah Slean. With already unsettled, mixed reviews, this album will raise a few eyebrows. Which may be just what Sarah Slean is looking for.

~nicole g

Canadian Tour Dates Announced!

October 23 Winnipeg MB CANADA West End Cultural Ctr.
October 25 Saskatoon SK CANADA Broadway Theatre
October 26 Edmonton AB CANADA Horowitz Theatre
October 27 Calgary AB CANADA MacEwan Hall Ballroom
October 29 Victoria BC CANADA Central Bar & Grill
November 2 Vancouver BC CANADA Commodore Ballroom
November 6 Ottawa ON CANADA Governer General Award

Also... only 3 more days until Day One is released!!!

~ng

The official website has confirmed a tour in Europe supporting Ron Sexsmith.

The dates are as follows:

August 31 Chester UK
Telford’s Warehouse

September 2 Derry N. IRELAND
Nerve Centre

September 3-4 Dundalk IRELAND
Spirit Store

September 5 Belfast N. IRELAND
Empire

September 7 Cork IRELAND
An Cruiscin Lane

September 8 Galway IRELAND
Cuba

September 9 Limerick IRELAND
Dolans Warehouse

September 10 Dublin IRELAND
The Village

September 12 Utrecht HOLLAND
De Helling

September 13 Tourcoing FRANCE
Le Grand Mix

September 14 Brussels BELGIUM
Le Botanique

 Unfortunately...  
 
the Bluesfest has been cancelled.  Looks like the Ontario listeners are going to have to wait a while longer for a live show from Sarah.  
 
~ng

Sarah Slean's first single off the new album is "Lucky Me" and can be downloaded from puretracks.com

A video has been made for Lucky Me, and a picture from that video shoot can be viewed here

~ng

Day One tracklisting:

1. Pilgrim
2. Lucky Me
3. Mary
4. California
5. Day One
6. Out in the Park
7. Vertigo
8. When Another Midnight
9. The Score
10. Your Wish Is My Wish
11. Wake Up

DAY ONE...

That's the name of Sarah's new album which is slated to be released on September 14th. She'll be doing some touring in the next few months as well:

Tuesday July 6 Los Angeles CA Genghis Cohen
Wednesday July 7 Los Angeles CA Hotel Café
Tuesday July 13 Los Angeles CA Tangiers
Wednesday July 14 Los Angeles CA Genghis Cohen
Sunday July 18 Los Angeles CA Alter Knit Lounge
Tuesday July 20 Los Angeles CA Genghis Cohen
Thursday July 22 Los Angeles CA Tangiers
Saturday July 24 Toronto ON Toronto Blues Festival (full band)
Tuesday July 27 Los Angeles CA Tangiers
Wednesday July 28 Los Angeles CA Genghis Cohen
Tuesday August 3 Anaheim CA House of Blue (w/ Rasputina)
Wednesday August 4 San Diego CA Canes (w/ Rasputina)

check the official website for more details.

Sarah will be doing a few shows in LA this month... these are the ones that I have seen confirmed but there are a few more still unconfirmed.

Tuesday, July 6 (9:30)
Wednesday, July 14 (9:30)
Tuesday, July 20 (8:30)
Wednesday, July 28 (9:30)

all the shows are at genghis cohen. www.genghiscohen.com (look up the calendar under the "music" link.

-thanks to scott for posting to the nightbugs hotel

~ng

Sarah Slean is scheduled to perform at the Toronto Bluesfest on July 24, 2004 at 9:30pm.

This is her most recent live show since her gig with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

With Simon Wilcox and Martina Sobara on the list just before Sarah, it promises to be a great night.

for more information go here: Toronto Bluesfest

~ng