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Time In Between
by Paisley Jura

Paisley Jura

By Alidë Kohlhaas

Paisley Jura's CD, Time In Between, features an excellent roster of musicians and a group of songs, with the exception of one, all written by Jura. But, just how does one describe her music? The Canadian singer/lyricist/composer seems to combine various forms of pop music as well as the odd jazz riff or even a Middle Eastern sound that is impossible to pin down. It makes for an interesting mix that is more ear-catching in the orchestration than in the vocal quality and the lyrics.

CD Cover for Time In BetweenJura's voice has a child-like quality that soon grows tired on the ear and appears devoid of energy. She sounds just like so many singers these days, female as well as male, who can't project an adult image. One simply longs for a bit of oomph, a bit of razzmatazz, a bit of guts that seems to have vanished from the musical scene. Pop has an important role in music, even when it contains a variety of styles, including allusions to classical music, instead of applying to a specific genre. So, why has this form of music abandon adulthood? Why can't it now grow up again? It's not just Jura's voice, music and lyrics on this CD. Generally, where is the vocal definition, the power, the sensuality that reveals a woman rather than a girl in front of the microphone? Time in Between is all too sweet, too wistful, and at times despairingly melancholy and self-indulgent.

The Halifax native, who now makes her home in Toronto, has talent, there is no doubt about that. Her approach to orchestration reveals an early classical training with a firm knowledge of the bass, which gets good exposure on this CD. But one wonders, with her training and talent, why can't she get away from Joni Mitchell? Here is a talent who could aim for a bit of originality with a little more effort instead of falling back on the so-called Canadian image. Go for it! Let the music match the photo provided in the media kit.

For those who enjoy this kind of music—one tune after another—can now download her music from www.itunes.com/paisleyjura or http://www.amazon.ca/Time-Between-Paisley-Jura/dp/B001PM3I60/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1236996725&sr=8-1

or go to her website at www.paisleyjura.com

Time In Between was originally released in late January, but got lost in the shuffle on this reviewer's desk. For her fans, my apologies.

Maza Mezé has been moved to Archivess


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