We first wrote about Belle Plaine’s terrific music in 2016 when we were exploring the SaskMusic end-of-year longlist. Her 2016 project, Unrequited Love, was a tour de force live album that left us anxious for fresh music from this incredible talent.
Our long wait has been amply rewarded with the release of “Golden Ring,” the first single from her forthcoming album. Plaine unexpectedly became the recipient of her parents’ wedding rings after their deaths. The couple separated when she was a child, and the reunion of the set affected her. For the first time she viewed her parents as young lovers who once joyfully made their vows. “Golden Ring” is about the objects that represent our commitments – the ones that become relics and reminders of promises made. Plaine came to recognize such artifacts in her own life, and saw fit to celebrate them for the intentions they symbolized, the lessons they offered, and the inspiration they proposed for change and healing.
The track features fellow Saskatchewan artist, female vocal powerhouse Megan Nash, and was recorded in the basement of the Regina landmark CBC building at Studio 1 with producer Jason Plumb. Also included are the talents of many of Belle Plaine’s closest musical comrades. Bryce Lewis delivers deep resonance to the track with his gripping Fender Starcaster and baritone guitar tones, while the keys of the song’s co-writer, Jeremy Sauer, fill in the swagger around the mournful sweetness of the lyrics. Holding it all together with steady warmth are Belle Plaine regulars, Elizabeth Curry on bass, and Steve Leidal on drums.
For those of you in Saskatchewan and Alberta, you can also catch Belle Plaine live in the next few weeks:
Jan 19, Regina, SK, The Artesian – presented by Regina Folk Festival’s Winterruption
Jan 21, Wadena, SK, House Concert
Jan 26, Edmonton, AB, St. Basil’s Cultural Centre – presented by New Moon Folk Club
Jan 27, Jasper, AB, Royal Canadian Legion 31
Jan 30, Calgary, AB, Ironwood Stage & Grill
Feb 2, Saskatoon, SK, The Bassment – presented by Saskatoon Jazz Society
Visit Belle Plaine’s website for more details and upcoming performances.
(And we’ll just be here waiting for the album… can’t wait!)
Photo credit: Carey Shaw
