sakihiwe news
Crystal Shawanda makes the crossover into blues
It might seem like an odd change for hardcore fans of Ojibwe recording artist Crystal Shawanda, but the 2013 JUNO Award winner's new blues album is outstanding.
The release, entitled The Whole World’s Got The Blues, is a departure from the country roots that filled her first three records, including Just Like You, which earned Shawanda her JUNO Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year. That being said, each song on the new disc demonstrates that Shawanda's luscious vocals fit perfectly within the signatures and traditions of blues patterns, shuffles, and story lines and this record is probably her strongest to date.
Along with Shawanda's cover of iconic American blues singer Buddy Guy’s “What You Gonna Do About Me,” track 8, entitled "Pray Sister Pray," features a prayer for missing and murdered Indigenous women recited in Ojibwe by the singer's mother.
The Whole World’s Got The Blues by Crystal Shawanda
1. I'm Not Your Baby
2. What You Gonna Do About Me
3. The Whole World’s Got The Blues
4. I’ll Always Love You
5. Cry Out For More
6. Fall From Grace
7. All I Could Do Is Cry
8. Pray Sister Pray
9. Blue Guitar
10. Blue Train
The album is really exciting and if you're lucky enough to live in one of the cities that Shawanda is hitting up on her tour, be sure to check her out.
October 21: NAWS in Sydney, NS
October 24: The Hideout in Toronto, ON
October 28/29: The Mercury Room in Edmonton, AB
October 30: The Fan Club in Vancouver, BC
November 1: Malahat in Victoria, BC
November 7: Algoma Buddies in Chesterfield, ON
November 8: Elliott Lake, ON
About Crystal Shawanda
Born on the Wikwemikong Native Reservation on Manitoulin Island, Shawanda grew up immersed in the music of her heritage, but it was at the age of 12 on a long haul trip to Nashville with her truck-driving father that she discovered and embraced the spirit of the south. Coming up as a country artist, she released a handful of albums and took on a full-time gig at the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on the Broadway strip. Since then she has stormed the country music charts with multiple hit singles, performed at the 2013 U.S. Presidential inauguration and been awarded multiple honours including the title of CCMA “Female Artist of the Year” and the 2013 JUNO Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year.
