Library Voices

WM: Wheatsheaf, where you at?
WS: I just left the Gardiner Dam. That place is frickin’ hilarious. You coast along the prairie landscape, you come to a bend in the road and suddenly there is a body of water, a dam and farm land on the otherside. No dropoff into a tiny river – just flat farm land. It is like no dam I have every seen.
WM: Do you know Library Voices?
WS: You mean like talking in library voices?
WM: No the band. They are a modest ten-piece with Estevan links. They are playing at O’Hanlon’s.
WS: Skip the fireworks and I am in.


And so commenced my love affair with Library Voices. The show that night blew me away. (check the photo from the show – the Wheatsheaf is somewhere back but don’t look too hard).

The show was loud, boisterous, energetic with sweet sweet harmonies. It was a wholly uplifting experience. I rushed the stage and bought their CD, which I promptly left in Ma Wheatsheaf’s automobile on the way out of Regina.

So I downloaded Hunting Ghosts (& Other Collected Shorts) off ITunes. The EP is a good effort. It captures the wonderful harmony of the guys and gals. The sound of the sticks hitting the hi-hats is clear and crisp. The guitar jumps in and over, while there is a hint of amusement captured in the voices.

This outing would have been better had they capture the live feel. I cannot say how good of a show they put on at O’Hanlon’s. All instruments were flowing in and out in unison, while the singers generated excited and enthusiasm. Think Arcade Fire meets Architecture in Helsinki. But on the Hunting Ghosts, it feels like the band members recorded their parts in separate rooms, leaving the songs as a collection of parts of the sum.

The band is great. Hunting Ghost is solid and definitely belongs on your IPod. For a mere $3.99 on ITunes it is huge bargain and well worth the listen. This band is only going to get better.

Encore: Library Voices plays at the Ottawa Bluesfest tonight at 7pm on the Subway stage (opening for another Wheatsheaf favourite – Paolo Nutini). Go out and sing along. Be dazzled by these guys and gals. Hope to see you there.