| CD REVIEW |
| NOT FORGOTTEN... - NICOLE FOURNIER |
| I had great fun trying to guess what the "3 lb. Universe" refers to, coming up, variously, with a premature grandchild, the "small world" connotation, and lastly, a guitar, but I'll have to leave that until I finally get to meet her in person, which I have every intention of doing at some point in my life. While some people might think Nicole's just jumping on the September 9 catastrophe bandwagon in the States, her performances at the 1998 Seattle Peace Concerts as well as organizing and performing at benefit concerts for the Northwest Kidney Centre and AIDS benefits contradict this assumption. Her sympathies for those who suffered are also extended to Kathy Phelan, her cousin who was killed by a drunk driver. In contrast to her self-produced 2001 CD, From the Beginning, these tracks address more serious issues than partying, sexual relationships and musical jamming (not that there's anything wrong with those topics, mind you!). The music on Not Forgotten� has a jazzier edge to it in lieu of the blues-rock predominance of From the Beginning, although the sound comes across powerfully on both CDs. She still has that amazing voice that combines the sassy but sweet growl of Brenda Lee with the full-throated soulfulness of Aretha Franklin and she puts it to good use on this "day of reckoning"-themed collection of songs. The rhythm-and-funk-rock title track pays tribute not only to those innocent victims of September 9 but to anyone who has died in the pursuit of peace and freedom, especially global fighters like John Lennon, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi. Originally inspired by the plight of Vietnam veterans, it ultimately encompasses the madness that is war, including the rape and murder of 12-year-old Marita Shabiu in Kosovo by an American soldier sent overseas to help protect her village. With brass heavyweights Randy Oxford on trombone and back-up vocals and Ric Ulsky on keyboard and B3 marrying their respective jazz and rock influences, Nicole has found an unbeatable formula for success, particularly on the passionate "Maybe Someday" and the musically rude "Forbidden Fruit"! Added to the mix this time around are Michael Stubblefield on bass and back-up vocals, Michael Kinder on drums, and Annette M. Jackson on back-up vocals. I believe there are missing credits to account for a trumpet and pennywhistle I heard on the CD, engineered by Tony Thomas and Mark Simmons, but I've been known to hear instruments that aren't actually being played. (Ask Jeff Healey and his Jazz Wizards about that!) There are also guest appearances by Jeffrey Sick on violin and Artis ("Spoonman") of Soundgarden fame on spoons (natch!) on the Cajun-influenced "My Bones". Artis suffered a heart attack in May/02 but is recovering nicely (although maybe not financially - thank God I'm Canadian!). The genuine jewel in this treasure trove (apart from 5-year-old Zacharhi's tacked-on CD-ROM conversation with "Grandma") has got to be "Old Man on the Corner", on which Nicole demonstrates her compassion for those less fortunate than herself. It's as equally compelling as a similarly-themed slow-blues song by Hamilton's Jack de Keyzer, called "Skid Row" (from Down in the Groove). Ms. Fournier also provides some role-model tutoring for women who suffer from lack of self-esteem on "Self-Respectin' Woman" as well as offering some optimistic advice to those who have shut off their emotions in "Eyes of Avoidance", and "Reach Out", literally a "wake-up" call in its insistence to be written and rhythmically rendered by Nicole on acoustic guitar. All in all, very entertaining! |
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