Cover Girls, Vol. 19

Rosie Thomas
These Friends Of Mine

Hopefully, many of you are familiar with Rosie Thomas. Her sweet, affecting songwriting style has spanned four solo albums since 2002, with her most recent release being These Friends Of Mine, released earlier this year, and on which Thomas serves up two cover songs: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Songbird’ and the featured ‘The One I Love,’ by R.E.M.. Thomas’ version of the classic R.E.M. song is beautifully soft and fragile, providing a truly captivating interpretation.

Rosie Thomas - The One I Love From the album These Friends Of Mine BUY: iTunes | Amazon

Rose Polenzani
7 Days

I am always intrigued when artists like Rose Polenzani, known for her lyrically rich and evocative folk songs, chooses to cover a song originally delivered in a genre which some would say is 180 degrees from her usual realm. Polenzani does this with R&B superstar, Craig David’s ‘7 Days.’ Polenzani recorded the song roughly four years ago, armed with just an acoustic guitar and her consistently sweet and pleasant voice. Hers is a tremendously successful rendition, bouncing confidently through the fast-paced lyrics without losing a drop of sincerity.

The song (and many other unreleased gems) are made available on Polenzani’s official web site.

Rose Polenzani - 7 Days Unreleased

Melissa McClelland
Stranded In Suburbia

Some fans may know of Melissa McClelland through the Canadian television show, Degrassi: The Next Generation, where her song ‘Rooftop’ appeared on the show’s soundtrack. Others may recognize her as the back-up singer to Sarah McLachlan’s live shows. But for others, this entry might be your introduction.

McClelland is a songwriter who fits well into categories that include artists like Jonatha Brooke and Chantal Kreviazuk. Like them, she possesses a remarkable songwriting talent, but a sense for pop, which brands her ripe for commercial markets.

Her sophomore album, 2003’s Stranded In Suburbia, featured Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Factory,’ a song originally found on his 1978 album, Darkness On The Edge Of Town. McClelland’s version is a clangy, stomp-heavy tribute to the Springsteen classic.

Melissa McClelland - Factory From the album Stranded In Suburbia BUY: iTunes | Amazon

Shaye
The Bridge

Kim Stockwood, Tara MacLean and Damhnait Doyle make up the Canadian trio of Shaye, a largely pop-oriented outfit that was formed as tribute to MacLean’s late sister. Although much better known in Canada (the group has earned a Juno Award nomination), their music is now more accessible with services like iTunes.

On the band’s 2003 debut, The Bridge, one will find them performing a cool and flowing (if not inventive) version of Sinéad Lohan’s ‘No Mermaid.’

For more Shaye, be sure to also check out their 2006 effort, Lake Of Fire, where the girls also cover ‘We Are Water,’ a little-known Patty Griffin gem.

Shaye - No Mermaid From the album The Bridge BUY: iTunes | Amazon

High Notes, Vol. 7

Birdie Busch
Penny Arcade

Ever since Birdie Busch’s remarkable debut, I’ve been anticipating what her follow-up would be like. With Penny Arcade, I can rest easy; Ms. Busch hasn’t lost the charm or subtle sweetness that made her debut so cherished. With a penchant for singing deceivingly effortless songs capped with a voice that while perhaps is not extraordinary, is like sugar on a savored dessert.

The song ‘Water’ is a lovely example of Busch’s unpretentious songwriting. As a bonus, also included here is a demo version of the same song, originally heard on her MySpace page.

Birdie Busch - Water From the album Penny Arcade BUY: iTunes | Amazon

Birdie Busch - Water (demo) Album version found on the album Penny Arcade

Alexa Wilkinson
Lullaby Appetite

Alexa Wilkinson is someone I heard while listening to an Internet radio station awhile back. I knew nothing about her, but thoroughly enjoyed ‘Of Graves,’ a song found on the artist’s Lullaby Appetite, released in July of this year. Apparently, I wasn’t alone, as the song has become the first single of the album.

The young songwriter’s album is a mish-mash of pop, jazz and folk-infused rock. Some might say it’s unfocused, but others might say that Wilkinson confidently pilots through each genre with relative ease.

Alexa Wilkinson - Of Graves From the album Lullaby Appetite BUY: iTunes | Amazon

Jesca Hoop
Kismet

For those looking for something a bit different, the music of Jesca Hoop may be something to seek out. Her highly anticipated full-length album, Kismet, was released last month and she’s become an in-demand artist on Nic Harcourt’s long-running ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ radio show.

As for her music, Hoop’s sound has been compared to everyone from Kate Bush, Björk, and even Liza Minnelli, as she has an abstract approach to her delivery. Her singing can be equated to a roller-coaster; she often loops high and low, and the songs here can sound like something out of a fantasy - magical and surreal.

Jesca Hoop - Dreams In The Hollow From the album Kismet BUY: iTunes | Amazon

April McLean
Darbytown Road

Like Joan Jones (featured twice before on Womenfolk), April McLean is also one of a handful of musicians and singer-songwriters attached to the Circle Back Music group, a record company who prides itself on its non-corporate identity. Her first album, Becoming earned her national exposure when songs of hers were featured in TV series, Felicity. Her second album, the just released Darbytown Road, is another remarkable work and will no doubt become a successful follow-up.

Featured here is ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors,’ a memorable song of want, frustration and self-analysis.

April McLean - Rock, Paper, Scissors From the album Darbytown Road BUY: iTunes | Circle Back Music

Separation Anxiety

I was quite happy when I recently discovered that Swedish singer-songwriter, Anna Ternheim, will be making her official American debut with her self-titled EP, a six-song collection scheduled for release by Decca Records on October 30, leading up to her full-length debut for March 2008. Read more