Laura Bird

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. - Robert Reid Waterloo Record

"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
- Penguin Eggs

"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
- Pat Moore Host: Weekend Warm-Up CKCU FM 93.1

"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)
- In The Hills Magazine

"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."

- Paul Mills Musician-Producer The Millstream Toronto, ON

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
- Paul Court-FridayFolk

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
- Sean Pennylegion - Artistic Director

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
- Jack Cole - Artistic Director