Vancouver Trendz [THURSDAY]

Oh Goodness

Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Be Good Tanyas are back, good news for banjo-lovers everywhere. Fingerpicking their way directly into your heart, this Vancouver-born trio has been praised worldwide for their mix of country, bluegrass and blues. Their new album, Hello Love, doesn't veer off into any uncharted waters. That may disappoint those who want to see the band experiment a bit more, but when the outcome is this sweet, tampering with the recipe might be unnecessary.

Things get off with a kick as the guitar and harmonica intro to Human Thing starts the album. Soon, you'll be entranced by singer Frazey Ford's incredible, unique voice. It wobbles like a Neville brother and emotes like the best of Tracy Chapman, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell put together. Ford and crew belt out originals, traditional tunes and reworked covers including Neil Young's "For the Turnstiles," Mississippi John Hurt's "Nobody Cares for Me" and, bizarrely (perhaps unnecessarily), Prince's "When Doves Cry."

Hello Love makes a great soundtrack for dinner, a perfect accompaniment for an all-night gab session, or a great play in your discman for a soothing walk through Stanley Park. And, if you hurry, you can still get tickets for the Be Good Tanyas show tonight at the Commodore. They'll regale us with tales of their recent tour of the U.K. and play a set of great tunes, all for just $19.50. Banjo-riffic!