Laura Bird

Artist Information

Biography

ABOUT LAURA BIRD

Live Performance Reviews

Kitchener ~ Folk Night at The Registry, January 2010
“As part of our 2009-2010 concert series, we welcomed Laura Bird back to Folk Night at The Registry, for a concert programmed by our series subscribers. Laura's wonderful songs, unforgettable voice, and comfortable style made her a hit with the audience when she earlier appeared with Archie Fisher. This night (January 30, 2010) was no different, as Laura enchanted the crowd. She has a way of speaking to each person individually, and she drew us all right in, from her very first song. By the time her set was over, we had enjoyed her stories, been caught up in her melodies and words, and sung along vigorously (as our audiences are wont to do!). As always, it was an absolute pleasure to have Laura entertain the house.” Jack Cole – Artistic Director

Orillia Folk Society, November 2009
“Last night’s show went well beyond the usual level of enjoyment. We were transfixed throughout, eagerly listening for the next heart-rending line of lyric and melody, singing along like the angel choir we are often reputed to be. Laura’s poignant writing, relaxed presence and superlative voice held us in thrall. It was that rare sort of evening, when everyone, performer included, left smiling, knowing they had been part of something very special.” Paul Court, Orillia Folk Society

Haliburton Folk Society, November 2009
“Laura Bird, accompanied by Robert Reid, played for the Haliburton County Folk Society last Saturday night. We had been looking forward to Laura’s concert for many months and what a delightful evening it was! One of our regular and knowledgeable members said to me after the concert that while he knew and thoroughly enjoyed Laura’s recorded music, her performance was even more engaging than what he had expected. She and Robert have a delightful easy camaraderie on stage and very quickly reduce a public performance space to a warm and cozy kitchen. Laura’s sensitive lyrics are beautifully embellished by her wonderful voice and the interplay of two tastefully played guitars. Run, don’t walk.”
Sean Pennylegion, Artistic Director Haliburton Folk Society/ The Forest Festival


BIOGRAPHY

Orangeville Ontario songstress Laura Bird is known for her warm, relaxed stage presence, finely honed guitar work, a painters' eye for lush images and distinctive sultry, smoky voice, you'll want to close your eyes and watch the mind movies inspired by this gal's soundtrack.

Singing, songwriting, performing and recording as a solo artist for well over 20 years, Laura has produced two full-length recordings DREAMWALKER and THE WATER IN BETWEEN. Receiving critical acclaim, her sophomore recording was selected among Penguin Eggs Magazine’s DJ top ten favourites of 2008 and placed three consecutive months (March-May 2009) among Galaxie Folk-Roots satellite radio top ten high rotation album releases of 2009. Bird's songwriting accolades are continuing to weigh in with ‘Water’s Edge’ earning honorable mention and ‘Rosalita’ among the finalists of the 6th & 7th annual Great Lakes Songwriting Contests. Laura recently took home a $1000 value sound system winning 2nd place at the 2011 Kitchener Triple Play Songwriting Competition, she is among the finalists of the 2011 Cambridge Triple Play concluding June 14th. Previous appearances include the Mariposa Folk Festival, Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival, The Red Roof Women’s Music Festival, Blue Skies Festival and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival.

Laura has served on both the OCFF and ArtsCan Circle Board of Directors; she co-founded the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award; co-founded the Headwaters Acoustic Music Society and retired as Artistic Director of the Live! At the Opera House concert series in Orangeville in April 2008. She currently holds a "HAT" position among the organizers of the Blue Skies Festival in Clarendon, ON.

Visit: http://www.laurabird.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/l

Instrumentation

Laura Bird - Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

'Band' may comprise Duo, Trio or full Band accompaniment (up to 6 piece) utilizing a wide variety of world class multi-instrumentalist side players.

Discography

Discography
2008 - THE WATER IN BETWEEN – Laura Bird
Independent Wigborough Music

2008 – NORTH TO ONTARIO Bluegrass Compilation
Featuring ‘Rosalita’

2006 - NORTH TO ONTARIO Bluegrass Compilation
Featuring ‘Heavy Load’
Producers Tom McCreight & Gene Gouthro

2005 - EP Laura Bird & Emory Lester
Independent Wigborough Music

2004 – CHOSEN by Don Bray * Harmony Vocals

2003 - EP Laura Bird & Jack Walker
Independent Wigborough Music

2001- WAITING TO ARRIVE by Don Bray *Harmony Vocals

2000 - DREAMWALKER Laura Bird
Independent Wigborough Music

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Rosalita
  Listen  
• Takin' Me Back
  Listen  
• Too Far Gone
  Listen  
• Long Walk In The Snow
  Listen  
• Crescent Moon
  Listen  
• Bad Day Blues
  Listen  
• Water's Edge
  Listen  
• Spring
  Listen  
• Cicada Serenade_live performance
  Listen  
• Who Cares_live performance
  Listen  
• Cicada Serenade
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Rosalita
• Takin' Me Back
• Too Far Gone
• Long Walk In The Snow
• Crescent Moon
• Bad Day Blues
• Water's Edge
• Spring
• Miracle
• Where's The Muse

Video

Lovers Again

Who Cares

Photo Gallery

Press

• Orillia Folk Society Live Performance Review 11/09 [+ Show ]
  

  The true test of a performer is to win over an audience not already familiar with her work. Such wa...The true test of a performer is to win over an audience not already familiar with her work.
  Such was the challenge for Laura Bird at last night’s monthly FridayFolk concert presented by the Orillia Folk Society.
  And to say that Laura passed the test would be to understate the case. Her poignant writing, relaxed presence and superlative voice held us in thrall.
  Our Folk Society is fortunate to have a core audience willing to trust the Artistic Director, Alyssa Wright, to provide them with quality performers, known or unknown, throughout the series. And that trust is consistently rewarded.
  But last night’s show went well beyond the usual level of enjoyment. We were transfixed throughout, eagerly listening for the next heart-rending line of lyric and melody, singing along like the angel choir we are often reputed to be.
  Guitarist Robert Reid complemented every nuance of Laura’s emotional, genuine songs, which cover a large range of styles, from quiet introspection, through country, jazz and gospel.
  And if a certain hardworking-on-a-deadline luthier hadn’t taken the time away from his workbench to catch the early set, I could tell you that not a single person left before the final notes of the encore had become just a brain-worm for the drive home.
  It was that rare sort of evening, when everyone, performer included, left smiling, knowing they had been part of something very special.
  
  paul court
  Treasurer and co-founder (1994)
  Orillia Folk Society
  

• Haliburton Folk Society Live Performance Review 11/09 [+ Show ]
  

  Laura Bird, accompanied by Robert Reid, played for the Haliburton County Folk Society last Saturday ...Laura Bird, accompanied by Robert Reid, played for the Haliburton County Folk Society last Saturday night. We had been looking forward to Laura’s concert for many months and what a delightful evening it was! One of our regular and knowledgeable members said to me after the concert that while he knew and thoroughly enjoyed Laura’s recorded music, her performance was even more engaging than what he had expected. She and Robert have a delightful easy camaraderie on stage and very quickly reduce a public performance space to a warm and cosy kitchen. Laura’s sensitive lyrics are beautifully embellished by her wonderful voice and the interplay of two tastefully played guitars. Run, don’t walk.
  
  Sean Pennylegion
  
  Artistic Director, Winter Folk Camp
  Haliburton County Folk Society
  www.winterfolkcamp.com
  
  Festival Director, the Forest Festival
  www.theforestfestival.com
  

• Folk Night At The Registry ~ Live Performance Review 01/10 [+ Show ]
  

  Folk Night at The Registry 01/10 As part of our 2009-2010 concert series, we welcomed Laura Bird ...Folk Night at The Registry 01/10
  
  As part of our 2009-2010 concert series, we welcomed Laura Bird back to
  Folk Night at The Registry, for a concert programmed by our series
  subscribers. Laura's wonderful songs, unforgettable voice, and
  comfortable style made her a hit with the audience when she earlier
  appeared with Archie Fisher. This night (January 30, 2010) was no
  different, as Laura enchanted the crowd. She has a way of speaking to
  each person individually, and she drew us all right in, from her very
  first song. By the time her set was over, we had enjoyed her stories,
  been caught up in her melodies and words, and sung along vigorously (as
  our audiences are wont to do!). As always, it was an absolute pleasure
  to have Laura entertain the house.
  
  Jack Cole – Artistic Director
  Folk Night At The Registry - Kitchener, ON
  

• Penguin Eggs Review [+ Show ]
  

  "A fine, folky, warm-sounding effort with Bird's engaging voice taking centre stage, surrounded with..."A fine, folky, warm-sounding effort with Bird's engaging voice taking centre stage, surrounded with some fine bluegrass-influenced picking by herself, Dave Clarke, and especially, Emory Lester. She has a bit of that classic sound made popular by someone like Susan Crowe, but manages to forge her own personality through a strong songwriting ability. A solid release that certainly sounded good on my stereo. Heavy Load, When It Comes My Time and Miracle were standout tracks.
  Barry Hammond Penguin Eggs Magazine Spring 2009
  

• Bird's sophomore release ..is a delight in every way. [+ Show ]
  

  Laura Bird The Water in Between (Wigborough Music) ROBERT REID - NIGHTLIFE STAFF (Nov 27, 2008) ...Laura Bird The Water in Between (Wigborough Music)
  ROBERT REID - NIGHTLIFE STAFF
  (Nov 27, 2008)
  
  Laura Bird's sophomore release The Water in Between is a delight in every way.
  
  It starts with 14 artfully written songs that span the folk spectrum delivered with the Orangeville singer/songwriter's rich and sultry voice.
  
  It ends with a who's who of regional musicians Bird affectionately calls her Fly by Night Orchestra, including Dave Clarke, Emory Lester, Allison Lupton, Geoff Somers, Denis Rondeau, Mike Stevens, Robert Reid (who accompanied Bird at her recent appearance at the Registry Theatre) and Canadian Folk Music Award winner Tannis Slimmon, among others.
  
  In recent years Bird was busy with many arts-related administrative responsibilities. She has freed herself up to focus with renewed energy on her music which is good news for acoustic music fans.

• Folk DJ - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "A warm, rich, fresh voice, …great songwriting, …fabulous musicianship - these are all perfect reaso..."A warm, rich, fresh voice, …great songwriting, …fabulous musicianship - these are all perfect reasons to get your hands, and ears, on Laura Bird's new CD, The Water In Between ... it all comes together so beautifully; the CD is great! .. a wonderful blend of gentle and upbeat songs, all written, sung, and produced brilliantly. I love this album."
  Pat Moore Host: Weekend Warm-Up CKCU FM 93.1
  

• In The Hills CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "This whole CD is impeccably assembled from start to finish. Laura's lustrous voice and image-invoki..."This whole CD is impeccably assembled from start to finish. Laura's lustrous voice and image-invoking lyrics take you to the water's edge where gentle words meet warm and articulate instrumentation."
  - Lisa Watson, In The Hills Magazine (Nov 04, 2008)
  

• "..one of the most gorgeously produced albums..." [+ Show ]
  

  "What a delight it is! I love your voice and the songs and here's the bonus: it's one of the most go..."What a delight it is! I love your voice and the songs and here's the bonus: it's one of the most gorgeously produced albums I've heard in quite a while! Just my cup of tea: clean, musical, lush and real."
  
  

Setlist

SET LIST

Water’s Edge
Waiting
Too Far Gone
Rosalita
Crescent Moon
Spring
Long Walk In The Snow
Miracle
My Hearts Arrow

Intermission

Bad Day Blues
Oh Susannah
Lover’s Again
Try Walkin’ Away
Stormy Weather
Am I Losing You
Takin’ Me Back
Heavy Load

Encore
When It Comes My Time

Basic Requirements

Calendar