Jul. 03, 2007 - Issue #611: Bestest of Edmonton 2007

Plumb and the Willing search for Beauty in this World

This week Jason Plumb and the Willing will bring a selection of vocal-heavy pop ballads to a different kind of music venue: the Roxy Theatre. Though it’s a bit unusual, Plumb says that with a preference for melody over spine-shattering dance beats, playing a venue like the Roxy makes sense.

“This record is pretty listen-y music,” explains Plumb. “It’s not really dance music, so the Roxy is the right spot to do this kind of thing, especially having a full string section.”

Featuring members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Plumb’s classical companions number eight—two cellos, two violas and four violins—but on Beauty in this World, Plumb’s latest release, the strings recorded two final passes, effectively creating a 16-piece section.

The strings added lyrical voice to tunes that already had an almost overpowering sense of melody to them—and that’s just the way Plumb likes it.

“These days, with the hip-hop movement and everything, we’re a culture that’s driven by beat, rather than melody,” offers Plumb. “I’ve always been a sucker for melody, and I think it’s because of the kind of music that was played around my house as I was growing up.” Plumb’s childhood idols can definitely be heard on Beauty—not that it’s an album of covers or anything. Rather, Plumb tries to capture the feel of his favourite music without resorting to outright mimicry.

“I’m going for vocal-heavy, ballady, catchy songs with a lot of string and vocal embellishment,” he explains. “I like a lot of Elton John and old Bee Gees.”

A veteran of the Canadian music scene, Plumb has played many gigs in Edmonton before, and has developed a loyal following in Capital City.

“Edmonton has always embraced me as a singer-songwriter. Whenever I’ve come into town I’ve always been supported by a lot of great people,” he says. “I think it’s an under-appreciated city as far as music goes. It’s a very musical place.” V

 

Sat, Jul 7 (7 pm)
Jason Plumb and the Willing
With James Murdoch
The Roxy Theatre, $25

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