Some Press to talk about this week: NOW gave us an NNNN review - pretty rad, check it out here:
NOW Review of Hymns of Love and SpiritsDisc Review
Wilderness Of Manitoba
Hymns Of Love And Spirits (independent)
By Carla Gillis
A song called Evening makes two appearances on Wilderness of
Manitoba’s eight-song debut EP. Fuelled by gorgeous, effortless
four-part harmonies and gently plucked banjo, the first version
wistfully evokes 60s Peter, Paul and Mary and leaves us imagining
amazing things to come for this folkie, stripped-down Toronto
five-piece.
It’s initially disappointing, then, to hear
the song again, this time at the album’s close and sung by Wendy
Blackburn, who wrote it in the 60s. A cover, we sigh. A little research
reveals more to the story. Blackburn is WOM singer Will Whitwham’s
mother, an obscure 60s folksinger whose star failed to rise despite her
obvious talent.
Blackburn passed away earlier this year,
leading Whitwham, who usually stars with WOM member Scott Bouwmeester
in indie rock band Provincial Parks, to create a new sound and band
from her inspiration. This is a warm, lo-fi, earnest EP of stunning
voices raised in tribute.
Top track: Evening
Wilderness of Manitoba play Sneaky Dee’s on Sunday (August 30).