About Me
New CD "WHOLLY" Available Now
CD: $23.50 CDN EACH INCLUDING SHIPPING AND HANDLING.
CD DOWNLOAD: $9.99
ORDERS WILL BE PROCESSED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
" Winnipeg's wonderful Wyrd Sisters have now become almost wholly leader Kim Baryluk's baby. With stunning vocal help from fellow sisters Delina and Jennifer Gibson, and the guitar and production prowess of the tireless Murray Pulver, it's likely this charming adult contemporary album will be hard to top. Baryluk writes with an eye on the human condition and rather than sound preachy she uses her rich alto to connect with the common thread of experience we all share at some time. Pulver's sharp production on the gospel track John Badertscher is stellar and the updated version of Wyrd fave Faucet will still bring a smile to the faces of old fans. "
- Winnipeg Free Press, Dec. 2006
WHOLLY
Wyrd Sisters
Independent
9-out-of-10
I have been a huge fan of the Wyrd Sisters ever since I reviewed their CD Inside the Dreaming way back in 1994. I missed out on Raw Voice and Sin & Other Revelations, something one day I will rectify, cause these gals have always been fantastic.
While a dozen years have gone by since Inside the Dreaming until the release of Wholly, the power of the Wyrd Sisters has not waned one bit.
Through the years the line-up of the all-female trio has changed, but Kim Baryluk, one of the Wyrd Sisters' founders, the primary writer, and lead performer has stayed a constant, and clearly she is the heart of the group, and her writing that which gives the Sisters its soul.
Baryluk has a style that certainly connects with the protest songs of the best folk singers. There are works here that are heavily laden with messages calling for a better world; in particular John Badertscher comes to mind.
The material the Wyrd Sisters perform is also deeply spiritual in nature, although not with any particular faith taking centre stage. While some Christian themes, like the lead cut Mary (Wholly), they mix in enough imagery there is a near pagan feel to many cuts too, which might be a natural given the trio's chosen name of the Wyrd Sisters.
As a group the Sisters show another strength too; their crystal clear vocals, and flawless harmonies.
I also like how these ladies add depth to songs in subtle ways. For instance an aboriginal chant used in Mary (Wholly) is a perfect added touch.
The piece Skin has an extended section that is simply read. It is another cut with a definite message, and the change of pace of reading the words rather than singing them helps push the point of the song home.
Overall, there are 12 songs here, and not one is weak. I even like the tongue-in-cheek, female anthem Faucet.
There is little doubt if the Wyrd Sisters sang country, or pop, something with broader radio play potential they would be among the best-known groups in Canada. They however are on their own course and that means far better lyrics and a stronger message than you would likely see if they succumbed to a pursuit of airplay.
Search these ladies out at http://www.wyrdsisters.com/ and find yourself something truly special.
-- CALVIN DANIELS
"SIN & OTHER SALVATIONS"
CD: $23.50 CDN EACH INCLUDING SHIPPING AND HANDLING.
ORDERS WILL BE PROCESSED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
"INSIDE THE DREAMING"
CD: $23.50 CDN EACH INCLUDING SHIPPING AND HANDLING.
ORDERS WILL BE PROCESSED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
"RAW VOICE"
CD: $23.50 CDN EACH INCLUDING SHIPPING AND HANDLING.
ORDERS WILL BE PROCESSED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
The Wyrd Sisters accidentally began their career in 1989 when three women (who had no previous musical experience) came together to share their 'hobby' of songwriting with each other. Their first show as The Wyrd Sisters was at the University of Winnipeg that same year. A friend asked them to share their songs at a benefit for a women's shelter soon after the U show. Mitch Podolak (founder of numerous folk organizations and festivals) heard them at that performance and asked them to play at the West End Cultural Centre. The CBC came to record that performance... and that summer they were playing at the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
TWS have not looked back from that moment. They have enjoyed performances across the continent, from folk festivals to concert halls to full symphonic backing, they have been on national and international TV and radio shows, they have five recordings, three Juno nominations, three videos (all of which received full play on CMT) and Best Group award in the folk category of the Prairie Music Awards. They have also been included on numerous compilations and have been hired to write and record theme music for video and TV shows. Much of their music, such as 'Warrior', 'The Faucet', 'Farewell to Clayoquot Sound' and 'Leave a Little Light' has been covered, recorded and sung by performers and choirs from across the globe.
The Wyrd Sisters have, like any family (and long time band), changed and evolved and grown over the years. Original founding member, principal writer and lead stage personality Kim Baryluk has remained the constant thoughout the band's existence. Like groups such as 'Sweet Honey in the Rock' and 'The Flirtations,' where members have come and gone over the decades, the band continues to create the same beautiful music and carry the same inspirational message as it always has.
International critics have recognized the original sound The Wyrd Sisters have created with a fusion of folk/jazz/pop/blues as being a uniquely Canadian sound which sets the standard for up and coming singer/songwriters.
View The Wyrd Sisters's EPK
