An album reflecting on the Celtic, tuned perfectly in the present, expressing hope for the future.The natural themes and poetic imagery are perfectly supported by the Celtic harp and pure vocals, haunting recorders, viola, piano and acoustic guitar.

11 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Celtic, FOLK: like Joni



Details:
Kate Gibson Oswald MUSICIAN'S CANVAS

An album reflecting on the Celtic, tuned perfectly in the present, expressing hope for the future. The natural themes and poetic imagery are perfectly supported by the Celtic harp and pure vocals, haunting recorders, viola, piano and acoustic guitar, percussion and harmonica. A delightful album of vocal and instrumental pieces.

There is a hunger in the world for things uplifting, beautiful, and meaningful. Kate's music speaks to this need.

Musician, Visual Artist, Thinker....

"It has taken many years to cultivate my creative perspective. When I work, I look for the most suitable media to help carry the idea. Words, music, and visual imagery should fuse and imprint a deeper perspective, emotion, delight and meaning upon a composition and an entire album. MUSICIAN'S CANVAS endeavours to surpass the overproduced mainstream cookie-cutter albums by returning to a focus on creative purpose once more. When you purchase this CD it is like buying a special edition book. No expense has been spared to bring you the very best in quality and imagery. Each hard copy CD features a 12 page full-colour booklet with reproduced miniature paintings and original photographs to accompany the lyrics.
Discriminating buyers want quality and value for their money, I know I do!"

This beautifully crafted CD unfolds like a memorable concert. Featuring Celtic favourites like Red is the Rose, settings of remarkable poems like Apple Trees in December, and Celebration by Margery Herwig-Gibson, original songs like Millennium and Outside the Box and beautiful instrumental works.

NOTE: The MP3 clips will give you a only a taste of songs like Apple Trees in December, Celebration, Red is the Rose, Millennium, and the ballad Outside the Box, but until you hear these songs in their entirety you can only imagine the delight of their complete experience.


"Your arrangements are lovely, perfect compliments to your voice and the poetry you've chosen, whether your mother's beautiful words, your own thinker's creations or the traditional songs. Your voice is just amazing, shades of Connie Dover and Joni Mitchell. And I love the way you've crafted the CD as a whole, cover art included. It's like the story of living, beginning in Apple Trees in December with sweet and simple "rebirth" and ending in toe-tapping "Celebration." Nancy Davis

Kate released her first Solo CD entitled MUSICIAN'S CANVAS in 2004. The CD features original compositions- both instrumental and vocal, her mother's extraordinary poetry set to music, and a selection of newly arranged and timeless Celtic favourites like Red is the Rose and Mist-Covered Mountains.

The CD draws on the inspiration of Kate's "farm" years as a teenager on the Gibson Century farm in the Ottawa Valley and includes some of Margery Gibson's beautiful poetry from this time: Apple Trees in December, Early April, Shifting Sand, and Celebration. It also features the art and inspiration of Emily Gibson, Kate's sister, a lifelong painter and musician. Emily provided the melody and chord structure for Celebration.

The writing and recording process has prompted Kate to coin a new term for her original vocal works on the album. Millennium and Outside the Box could be thought of as "Meta-folk"- inspired folk music that speaks of spiritual things without being specifically religious or denominational.

Instrumentation on the recording includes harps, voice, recorders, viola, piano, guitar, harmonica, and percussion. Kate plays all instruments except guitar, piano, harmonica and drums.

The Celtic harp found Kate in 1997. This ancient instrument captivated her and demanded long hours of practice and study. Prior to this, Kate performed with premier vocal and recorder ensembles in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada. Initially self-taught on the harp, Kate attended her first International Harp Summer School in Wells, British Columbia in 1999. It was here over the next three summers that she studied with some of North America's finest harpists including: Kim Robertson, Sharlene Wallace, and Harper Tasche.

Although trained as a visual artist in wood sculpture and photography, with a BFA and B Ed from Queen's University, Kate began applying the process of creativity in her crafting of music soon after graduation. She draws inspiration from nature, art, poetry, and a growing spiritual awareness of the world. Kate sees herself as versatile artist, able to express ideas and imagery in many forms. Her deepest desire is to contribute to the inspiration and joy of humanity through her art and music.

Kate currently performs regularly for enthusiastic audiences in Western Canada and is a member of the acclaimed harp/vocal trio AnamCara. For the past five years, Kate Gibson Oswald, Debi Johnson, and Caroline Mackay have enchanted audiences with their Celtic harps and delicious vocal harmonies. In December 2004 AnamCara wrapped up its fourth concert season where standing ovations were a regular response to their inspired music. AnamCara has one self-titled CD.

While not on tour, Kate enjoys a full schedule of performing, teaching, and creating music from her home in British Columbia, Canada.

Work has begun on her next album...




Some Listener's comments

"I love the variety, both in style and texture, the old and the new ... you managed
to get it all on there! Yet there is this thread of consistency running through it.
I love the Columbus story, a wonderfully spun tale and a great message,
as well as your lovely instrumental" (The Lady Waits...) Susan Norie


"The whole CD has a nice balance of music and is very cohesive"
Lori Papajohn