...continued

In the days of vinyl LPs, a band or solo artist could release three albums before "the big one." Promotion would be ramped up with each album as the consumer field was tended for the big third album payoff. Sometimes the strategy worked, sometimes not. After all, not every artists' third album is a gem. Serena has released two albums, both containing excellent songs and production, yet there seems to be zero effort by Capitol Records Canada, her label, to promote her beyond what is the normal cursory "working" that does nothing more than help fulfill the label's part of the contract. Seriously. If Capitol were to push Serena the way they push Nickelback, she would be a bigger star than she is. Maybe they are saving themselves for her next album. One can hope.

Serena is one of those "under the radar" singer/songwriters. She isn't as quirky as Martha Wainwright or as ironic as Alanis Morrisette, but listen to "Sweeping the Ashes" and tell me if she's not skewering an ex- or soon-to-be-ex-lover. She has a knack for picking cover songs that suit her original style too. Both "Good Morning Starshine" from Hair and Leonard Cohen's "Sisters of Mercy" do not seem out of place when juxtaposed against her original material. In fact, if you didn't know better (and many out there don't) you would think she wrote them. She could be the next Sarah McLaughlin without all the weepiness and sick pets.

There's Something About Serena Ryder

The second of my Winter Olympics concert series was Serena Ryder on Valentine's Day. Apropos? Not really. Killer concert? Absolutely. Serena writes great songs, sings incredibly well, has a captivating stage presence, is really funny, and she's damn cute too.

My favourite album of 2008 was Serena Ryder's Is It OK?. I played the thing to death, so having the opportunity to see her live for free was not to be passed up. Playing most of the songs from Is It OK? along with her cover of "Good Morning Starshine" and the poignant "Weak In the Knees" from her first album, she carried the show like a veteran, belying her sophomore status.

Halfway through the concert an errant fire alarm provided some annoyance by disrupting the show. She cleverly and amusingly began vocalizing along with the incessant beeping of the alarm, turning what could have been an uncomfortable few minutes into a hugely entertaining vocal improv with the alarm providing weird counterpoint. And as quickly as it started, it was over. "I am psychic and feel it has stopped," she said. "But if it doesn't, fuck it." To which the adoring crowd went crazy.

Someone already posted the alarm thing on Utube lol,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLWqWoIy5lk

Flip Hd cam not I phone.Wasnt me though honest

Review from Vancouver Province:

Serena Ryder certainly has some rabid fans. At least ones who favours that tape-the-whole-show-on-you-iPhone thing. Beginning with her weirdly appalling cover of "Good Morning Starshine" from the laughably bad hippie musical Hair -- trust me, only an acid-damaged, smug Deadhead could conceive of such a terrible show -- Ryder was in fine form.

Concentrating on her latest gold-selling CD Is It OK?, she showcased her sharply crafted light pop and, based on side-glance observation, this was a very wise booking for Valentine's Day. Whole lotta people swaying in their partners arms. Every once in awhile she tossed in a bit of a livelier track such as "Brand New Love" to get people moving a bit faster. Folks were digging it and all night long the sound under the tent was really crisp and clear.

At 9:25, the smoke alarm went off due to some burning incense setting it off. Rather than get miffed, Ryder did an impromptu singalong with it, sort of an operatic vocal scale that her soundman started to reverb off of. Hilarious.

Fun performances by all and happy Valentine's Day and gold medal Canada. More to come.