Winnipeg takes pride in local talent covering local hits
'Her (204): Stories of One Great City Revisited' album empowers and inspires
To help celebrate the official release of the 'Her (204): Stories of One Great City Revisited' album, CBC Manitoba programmed a very special Up to Speed on CBC Radio One. Among the usual content that you'd hear on this weekday drive home show were interviews with the album's creators, airplay of every song from the release and live, in-studio performances from two local artists featured on the album. All to tie into its official release online on Friday, March 7.
What's the story behind this album?
Recorded during Winnipeg's 150th anniversary, 'Her (204): Stories of One Great City Revisited' is an album created by the Manitoba chapter of Women in Music Canada. Its' purpose is to provide an opportunity for local women and gender-diverse artists to reinterpret iconic songs written in our province over the past century and a half.
Featuring renowned artists Boniface, Andrina Turenne, Keri Latimer, Cara Luft, Jess Reimer, Keisha Booker, Kelly Bado, Rayannah, Jade Turner, Rhonda Head, and Desiree Dorion, the album explores the province's artistic history through a fresh lens. Each artist selected a Manitoba-penned song that resonated with them, delivering new interpretations of works originally by legendary acts such as The Weakerthans, Chantal Kreviazuk, Eagle & Hawk, Sons of the Pioneers, Sebastian Gaskin, Crash Test Dummies, Chic Gamine, Gloria Dejarlais and Benoit Morier. The project also features Winnipeg producers Lana Winterhalt of The Good and Plenty Producers Club, Rayannah, Keri Latimer and Michele ii.
Who joined us live, in studio?
Kelly Bado is no stranger to covers. When Sir Paul McCartney first heard her version of his song, 'Let It Be' he proclaimed it to be a "fabulous, emotional and inspiring performance". The same could be said for her cover of the Crash Test Dummies 1993 hit, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" - the lead track off the album. Kelly's powerful vocals and moving instrumentation breathe new life into an already very successful song that introduced this Manitoba band to the world.
Stripping the song down for her CBC performance, Kelly was joined by Argentine-born, Treaty 1-based guitarist and songwriter Gabriela Ocejo. Together the two of them captivated the space with three songs, the remaining two being originals with one of them being unreleased.
If you're from Manitoba and have your ear to the ground on the Canadian music scene, you'll probably recognize the name Andrina Turenne. After finding success in the band Chic Gamine, this Juno award-winning Franco-Manitoban/Red River Métis singer-songwriter went solo releasing her first bilingual debut album "Bold as Logs" in 2023.
On this release, you'll be mesmerized by her version of "Le huitième continent" originally written by Manitoba's Benoit Morier. A fitting tribute by an artist that is as enjoyable to talk to as she is to listen to live. Andrina brought a warmth into the space by mixing her cover with two originals, one being an unreleased stomp dedicated to egrets.
Recognizing the opportunity, Keeley Braunstein-Black from the Manitoba chapter of Women in Music Canada shadowed CBC Audio Engineer Mae McKillop during the show's broadcast.
Where else did we celebrate this release?
On top of what we did on air during Up to Speed and live in Studio 11 on release day, CBC was present at the official release party on Sunday, March 9 at Winnipeg's The Park Theatre. Attendees got to witness first-hand the empowering talents of the performers on this album who played the track they covered, alongside two of their own. Although a few couldn't make it, in the end the entire album was heard from the stage, in full.
Faith made several references to the fact that this release and the event itself had provided such a safe, welcoming space for us all. As the crowds gathered,conversed and enjoyed the music - you could tell tha this commentary couldn't have been more true,
Where can you hear the album
The release of the 'Her (204): Stories of One Great City Revisited' album was complimented by an official party at Winnipeg's Park Theatre on Sun. March 9. You can find it now anywhere you stream music.