REID JAMIESON - ABOUT
"Gorgeous, sun-struck
acoustic soul"
- Globe & Mail
Reid Jamieson is a classic Canadian heartbreaker with an incredible voice, therapeuticlyrics and a magical way with melodies. Born and raised in Toronto, Reid moved west to beautiful Vancouver BC to write and record while performing regularly with CBC’s Vinyl Cafe Orchestra. His new record Staring Contest is in available on iTunes.
Back in 2004 Reid independently released an alt-country gem titled The Unavoidable Truth to much critical acclaim. Self-penned and produced by Josh Finlayson (Gord Downie Band, Skydiggers) the disc featured guest appearances from Sarah Harmer, Mia Sheard, Peter Elkas, John Southworth, and Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco).
2007 found Reid releasing a rather unintentional 50s era tribute to Elvis entitled The Presley Sessions. Initially recorded as a birthday gift for his long time sweetheart, this tender offering highlighted Reid's powerful abilities as a gifted interpreter of classic and cult tunes, as evidenced on free cover tracks he regularly posts to his web site. From Sting to Mary Margaret O'Hara - he even takes requests!
In the fall of 2009 a stripped down preview of 6 new original tracks (later to be revamped on Staring Contest) could be heard on the limited run EP Courting Juniper produced by Byron Kent Wong (David Usher, The Crystal Method).
Its now 2011 and his new full length, all original (and self funded) album Staring Contest is here and features Samantha Parton (Be Good Tanyas), Anne Lindsay (Blue Rodeo) and Vinyl Cafe bandmate John Sheard (Dan Hill, The Henrys). Recorded at various home studios with good pal and drummer Michael Frost of Blackfish Sound in Vancouver. Garden gnomes, unstoppable trains and no less than three proposals (!) can be found in the lyrics of this unabashedly romantic collection.
Although he rarely tours, on stage Reid has a way of connecting with an audience that is at once intimate and universal, whether solo or performing with talented friends. Along with his compelling vocal style and impressive guitar work are songs that draw you in with cautionary tales of love and lies, causing tears and laughter by turns. You won't want to miss what he does next so please stay tuned for more from this tender troubadour.
File w/ Roy Orbison, Neil Finn, Jeff Buckley & Damien Rice.
“Happy to follow you, Reid. You're one of the best singers in the country.” @ThatEricAlper
"After Reid appeared on the Vinyl Cafe we received tremendous feedback from our audience. He stole the show...He blew me away." Stuart McLean - CBC Vinyl Cafe
"Achingly beautiful songs.... a haunting quality not soon forgotten" - Globe & Mail
"Prepare to be surprised" - Vancouver Province
"Absolutely gorgeous" - Maverick (UK)
“I've heard Reid a number of times and have yet to hear a bad song or bad performance. I cannot say that about too many performers.” - Mike Hill, Artistic Director, Mariposa Folk Festival
"Neither derivative nor nostalgic...The Unavoidable Truth, is a work of elegant, understated beauty that juggles elements of plaintive folk, rock and countrified pop while enveloping the listener in the atmospheric glow of his soulful vocals."- Paste Magazine (4 to Watch For)
"Jamieson's songs are unabashedly crisp (take that, Bonnie Prince!), drenched in wistful piano/guitar melodies, and centered on his satin whisper." - CNet.com
'Toronto boy kicks Josh Rouse’s ass crooning indie-soul-country classics all of his own making...your life will be better with this music in it.'- Americana UK
'More than just another promising upstart... rootsy, mellow and honey-sweet.' - TorontoLife.com
'Arresting... dazzling voice' - Toronto Sun
'In a few short bars Reid stole the show' - Now Magazine
'Lovers of classic quality should acquire without hesitation.' - Comes With A Smile - UK
'Irresistible...'- Eye Magazine
SHORT BIO
100 words:
Vancouver’s Reid Jamieson has an incredible voice, therapeutic lyrics and a magical way with melodies. Regularly heard on CBC’s Vinyl Cafe he is a gifted interpreter of classic and cult tunes as well as an inspired songwriter. Reid’s new album of all original music features Samantha Parton (Be Good Tanyas), Anne Lindsay (Blue Rodeo) and John Sheard (Vinyl Café, Dan Hill). Garden gnomes, unstoppable trains and no less than three proposals can be found in the lyrics of this unabashedly romantic collection. For fans of Neil Finn, Jeff Buckley & Roy Orbison. "Gorgeous, sun-struck acoustic soul" - Globe & Mail http://www.reidjamieson.com
Press Quotes
Staring Contest
"Gorgeous, sun-struck acoustic soul" - Globe & Mail
"My Green Thumb" would have had 1960s-era McCartney nodding in admiration. - Vancouver Province
�
The Presley Sessions
"Prepare to be surprised..."- Vancouver Province
"Absolutely gorgeous" - Maverick (UK)
"A solo, handcrafted effort, with the honey-sweet crooner...(and the) ladies swooned"
- Brad Wheeler / Globe & Mail
'Beautifully done...a truly authentic voice.' - Molly Johnson
"Ultimately more enjoyable for it's simplicity... a tribute in the original sense of the word"
- Veg News (US)
The Unavoidable Truth
'Jamieson's songs are unabashedly crisp (take that, Bonnie Prince!), drenched in wistful piano/guitar melodies, and centered on his satin whisper.' - CNET.com
"Neither derivative nor nostalgic...The Unavoidable Truth, is a work of elegant, understated beauty that juggles elements of plaintive folk, rock and countrified pop while enveloping the listener in the atmospheric glow of his soulful vocals."
- Paste Magazine (4 to Watch For)
'Well-constructed pop treasures that rival Glenn Tilbrook's compositional prowess and the emotionally potent presentation of Jeff Buckley... gorgeous, unbridled voice beams thoughtful lyrics over a vintage country-inspired band.'
- MilesOfMusic.com
'Lovers of classic quality should acquire without hesitation. - Comes With A Smile - UK
'Toronto boy kicks Josh Rouse’s ass crooning indie-soul-country classics all of his own making...your life will be better with this music in it.'- Americana UK
'More than just another promising upstart...rootsy, mellow and honey-sweet.' - Toronto Life
"The Unavoidable Truth showcases a talented and tender young artist with seemingly limitless potential and a total package that screams mainstream accessibility without losing credibility. Take that, John Mayer." - Glorious Noise Chicago IL
'An intelligent, eclectic-pop tunesmith with a rich voice in the tradition of Neil Finn or Glenn Tilbrook, but his short, sharp songs are more guileless, emotionally honest and vulnerable.' - Eye Magazine
'I can't wait to hear more from this talented artist, and predict big things to come' - Roots Music Report, Texas
'Look out for this cat. He's a break away from launch.' - Puremusic.com, Nashville
'Excellent! There are so many good songs, the production really supports them. Reid is certainly an artist who should get a good shot...'-Earl Rosen 2003 ( Marquis Classics, Socan)
The Noise In My Chest:
'A thing of beauty... Irresistible! - Eye Magazine November 2003 Holiday Record Buying Guide
-'Arresting...a simple acoustic backdrop for his dazzling voice...' Mary Dickie, Toronto Sun - October 21, 2003
Reid Live:
"After Reid appeared on the Vinyl Cafe we received tremendous feedback from our audience. He stole the show...He blew me away." Stuart McLean - CBC Vinyl Cafe
'Utterly charming on stage, Jamieson kept a packed room in pin-drop silence... He caressed the notes with his honey-sweet croon, held a space for us all with the clarity of his vision, intent and purpose, and melted hearts throughout the set.' - Umbrella Music NXNE 2004
'In a few short bars Reid stole the show ...there's no doubt that his true calling is the stage.'- Now Magazine December 2003
'No matter where you stood ... it was like he was singing directly for you. The George Clooney of the music scene, dripping in boyish charm. Remember this one . ' (score 95!) -Chart Attack - NXNE 2003
'The adorable frontman of now folded local outfit ALVY is one of the most underrated talents in town. ...his earnest take on natural woman, blew the roof off the house...' - Now Magazine - BoysPlayGirls, Hughs room