Melissa McClelland - Victoria Day

Six Shooter Records

Soft, natural and unassuming, Melissa McClelland’s flirtatious romps and soulful laments are more than capable of rivaling Sarah McLachlan’s piano-and-vocal reveries. Dipping into the western tradition for classic-sounding cuts like “Del Rio” and teaming up with Ron Sexsmith for the duet “Seasoned Lovers,” McClelland’s song selections contrast with and complement her more modern compositions, such as “Segovia.” Switching things up again for the plodding spiritual “God Loves Me,” with its “Ode to Billy Joe” sense of tragic loss and skewed guitar riffs, she takes things in a slightly off-kilter PJ Harvey direction. Exploring a flare for the dramatic on each of Victoria Day’s dozen songs, the songwriter (and Luke Doucet’s significant other) reveals herself to be a musical chameleon of considerable talent, easily changing tempo and personas to suit each story. The range displayed on both renditions of the title cut — the ’50s pop “April Showers” version and the “May Flowers” version with its Dixie swing — typify this emerging artist’s unique, multifaceted approach.



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