Basia Bulat: Heart of my Own

[Benjamin A. Vazquez U.E.]

Heart of my Own

Artist: Basia Bulat
Album: Heart of my Own
Year: 2010
CD#: 48627
Localish?: Studied at Western, currently lives in Toronto.
Canadian? Yes
Best Tracks: #1, #2, #4, #5, #7, #9, #11 (um, sorry - fewer picks next time, I promise.)
Comments Overall: Folksey and energetic. Excellent melodies. Beautiful voice. Magnificent orchestration.

1. Go On, 3:29 - Energetic, danceable, regulaur beat.
2. Run, 3:03 - Begins slow. Rises in the second verse. Magnificent chorus. Plenty of energy overall.
3. Sugar and Spice, 3:24 - Slow, quiet, lovely. Heartbreaking.
4. Gold Rush, 3:34 - Begins slow, but extremly energetic overall. Beautiful melody. Extremly rapid.
5. Heart of My Own, 3:50 - Steady rhythym. Quieter. Excellent violin. Deep emotional quality.
6. Sparrow, 2:24 - Quiet. Folksey. Basia and her ukulele.
7. If Only You, 2:48 - Strong beginning. Energetic. Rich and Full.
8. I'm Forgetting Everyone, 3:25 - Quiet, slow, open. Heartfelt feeling.
9. The Shore, 4:44 - Slow, quiet, lovely. The only instrument is the harp, several backup singers. Open and lonely.
10. Once More, for the Dollhouse, 3:40 - Slow, plodding, regulaur.
11. Walk You Down, 3:10 - Quick, energetic. Matter-of-fact verses. More melodic chorus.
12. If It Rains, 2:33 - Lovely. Quiet and slow. Oddly triumphal.

Note I: Also posted under Folk Music.
Note II: A sheet with the lyrics are tucked into the cd case alongside the cd.

Website: www.basiabulat.com/news
MySpace: www.myspace.com/basiabulat
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BasiaBulat
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basia_Bulat

[Benjamin A. Vazquez U.E.]

There is a sense of pride pinned to every Canadian artist who demonstrates pure talent; Basia Bulat proves to be no exception. Written on an expedition, “Heart of My Own” is a traveling album. While on her trip, one of the most influential places Bulat landed was Dawson City, Yukon. The enormous pressure of silence is the inspiration behind the majority of the album.

The first track, “Go On,” starts out slow and a little stiff, surely to erupt and serve as a preview to the rest of the record. A folklore feeling with an underlining country tinge allows “Heart of My Own” to move from slow and peaceful paces to powerfully articulated ballads, such as the track “Gold Rush.”

Basia Bulat’s album is compromised of an array of instruments which weave together to create a delicate ground for the rest of the record. Among these instruments is a tambourine, providing the occasional steady rhythm. Bulat’s vocals and her instrumentation have reached a maturity that both musicians and audiences will adore.

- Reviewed by Sarah Sleeth