Track Listing

1. Before I Knew
2. I Was a Daughter
3. Little Waltz
4. December
5. Snakes and Ladders
6. Oh, My Darling
7. In the Night
8. Little One
9. Why Can't It Be Mine
10. Pilgriming Vine
11. La-Da-Da
12. Birds of Paradise
13. Secret

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22795 in Music
• Brand: Dig
• Released on: 2008-02-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .12 pounds

Album Description
2007 debut album from the Canadian singer/songwriter. Based out of Toronto, Basia was heavily influenced by Folk, Jazz and acoustic music,, releasing a demo CD in 2004. Basia’s unique vocal style and varied range has led to comparisons ranging from Feist to Natalie Merchant to Elyse Weinberg. Rough Trade.

Amazon.com
"Timeless" is an overused word, but when listening to London, Ontario, singer Basia Bulat's debut CD, Oh My Darling, her voice, choice of musical styles, and orchestral propensities come from another generation, evoking comparisons to '60s and '70s musicians like Nico and Maddy Prior. Combining a warmth and sadness perhaps best described as caramelancholy, Bulat's music is part traditional folk ("December"), part symphonic ("Little Waltz"), part samba ("Why Can't It Be Mine") and--if you can imagine--alternative drumline, where Bulat's madly uptempo, rhythm-fronted numbers feature rapid beats center stage with her voice quietly singing in the background ("In The Night," "Snakes and Ladders," and standout track, "I Was a Daughter"). Try as you might to compare or classify her, Bulat truly is an original, moving musically about in whatever direction suits her. Amidst the constant change-ups, some of the CD's greatest charms are found in the pared-down moments of quiet, specifically "Birds of Paradise," "Little One," and disc closer, "A Secret." As unclassifiable as she is, the singer-songwriter is receiving heaps of praise from the UK, and one constant is clear: fans of both traditional folk and contemporary indie rock can coexist in their collective love of Bulat's warm melodies. --Denise Sheppard

Customer Reviews

Seriously good debut from Basia Bulat
Seriously good debut from Toronto singer/songwriter Basia Bulat may spur comparisons to everyone from Joni Mitchell to Natalie Merchant, Feist and Hem, and all will be apt, but none will be quite on the mark. If anything, Bulat's music may be best described as coming from a modern troubadour, as it's charming, entertaining and totally engaging. She's also got a knack for ornate yet still catchy and transporting melodies, and there's that a gorgeous and very unique voice of hers. Oh, My Darling is a happy find indeed. Very much recommended. Standout cuts: "Little Waltz," "Snakes And Ladders," "In The Night" and "La-Da-Da."

Evocative Songs
An excellent, heartfelt debut from this Canadian singer/songwriter. Her voice has been described as "reedy", which is appropriate but does not capture the full spirit of her melodies, laced with vibrato and emotional overtones. Her vocal style may remind some listeners of early Joni Mitchell, yet it is still unique and works well.

Many songs are simple acoustic numbers, letting Basia's voice carry them. Other tracks have string accompaniment, adding a layer of musical complexity to an otherwise sparse sound which assumes no pretenses. Backing harmonies are abundant. Some tracks (Before I Knew, Oh My Darling) are short and sweet; they end before the listener has a chance to really absorb them, begging to be heard multiple times.

Her lyrics are sometimes melancholy, sometimes joyful, evoking a whole range of emotions. High points include Before I Knew, Why Can't It Be Mine, and Bird of Paradise. As a whole, the album is beautiful and imminently listenable.

Oh, my darling
Absolutely beautiful - I've heard a fragmnent of one of the songs in ad and was trying to find the original song for a while.