FEMALE FINAL FANTASY FOR THE FLUTE

12 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Alternative Folk, ELECTRONIC: Soundscapes



Details:
ABOUT ROZALIND MACPHAIL:

Canadian singer-songwriter/flutist Rozalind MacPhail has grown up in the rigorous musical milieu of classical training and has blossomed into a stunningly freestyle improvisational artist. This rare combination has led Rozalind from the demanding practice rooms at University of Toronto during her Bachelor of Music in classical flute performance, to spontaneous performances with the likes of Toronto rockers Constantines, Toronto alt-folk band Great Lake Swimmers, indie-rock legend Lou Barlow and the celebrated American trio, Yo La Tengo. Rozalind made the transition to singer-songwriter in 2005, releasing her alt-folk EP, titled, "Gas Station Sessions - Seven Songs For Seven Years." After a long-term music residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 2006, Rozalind toured across Canada with her second EP release, "Seattle Sessions - Less is More." Now residing in Victoria BC, Rozalind continues to tour and make guest flute appearances both on the stage and in the recording studio.

EDGEWORK CD REVIEW:

Monday Magazine - August 2007 By Dana McNairn

Originally hailing from Toronto (via Ottawa and Banff), and now calling Victoria home, Rozalind MacPhail has quickly made a name for herself on the alt-folk scene. The self-described full-time flautist/singer-songwriter has released her first full-length album, Edgework, following the EP releases Gas Station Sessions: Seven Songs for Seven Years (2005) and Seattle Sessions: Less is More (2006). It's Jethro Tull meets mid-1990s Ani DiFranco. MacPhail agrees with the alternative folk category, but with an "indie vibe." Despite the classical training, MacPhail's specialty as a flautist is more improvisational and fluid. While her songwriting on Edgework is the fairly standard shitty breakups and self-centred boyfriends, the album's overall mood is generous and light-hearted and feels, at times, like you're entering into a fairytale. This surely has to be because of the presence of MacPhail's omnichord with its rich vibrato andâwait for itâa glockenspiel. When was the last time you heard a glockenspiel? Do you even know what a glockenspiel is? Nonetheless, the overall effect, among the acoustic and electric guitars and guest cello, electronics, banjo, marimba and sax (among other instruments) is playful and at times whimsical ("Letting You Go" or "Early Morning Montreal"), at times bittersweet ("Icicles") or funky (as in the bass line in "Baba's-Unite Us All"). Instrumental tracks are also interspersed throughout this 12-song debut, adding to the splendid soundscapes.