Saskatoon area musician Ellen Froese’s new Cd is called “ Fightin’ Words,” but her show was all smiles and happiness at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Nov. 9.
I caught the end of Red Deer songwriter Tyler Allen, who played a handful of classic country covers from the likes of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and Roger Miller, then showed some skills on guitar with a Merle Travis instrumental.
He ended with one of his own songs “ Play One We Know,“ Which he wrote about some of the most annoying audience feedback he and his musician friends have heard during their sets.
After a quick break, Froese and her band, the Hot Toddies drummer /vocalist Dylan Cooper; bassist/vocalist Emmett Fortosky and electric guitarist Matt Joyal took the stage with a tight set of indie pop/ folk music along the lines of Neko Casa and Sheryl Crow, with a touch of Caroline Mark’s wit.
She smiled sweetly from behind her microphone.
“ Laying in the Sun,” was a beautiful moment taking the audience away from all the snow falling outside. It was more reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. To add to the more folk singer portion of the show, she strapped on a harmonica and blew a few solos.
She asked if anybody else grew up on a dairy farm, then sung about that experience.
Another highlight was “Charlie,” her song about a horse which died in the Frank Slide.
They were just gaining steam by then end of their set as guitarist Matt Joyall sang an upbeat ’60s pop number.
They were called back for an encore, so Ellen Froese stepped up to belt out some Elvis Presley.
