"New Dreams, Old Stories" closes with the lilting ballad/lullaby "When You Say Goodnight to Me"––
composed by Ms. Hennessy and Herring, the music feels likes a hymn and, at the same time, a love song.
Sweet and satisfying, it's just the right song to finish a program that is so inviting, so much fun, and so
well-played. Way North is not about technique, it's about how one can have a good time in the midst of
a crazy world creating music from the heart and soul. Enjoy!!
Richard Kamins – Step Tempest
There's much to recommend this equal-opportunity outfit and the album, but perhaps the most
appealing thing about it is diversity when each of its dozen tracks inhabits a stylistic world separate from
the others. The performances, assured in delivery and often celebratory in tone, reflect a broad array of
genre interests and a strong rapport between the participants; here are four people who clearly enjoy
playing together… Throughout the disc, her suave horn partners effectively with Cancura's bluesy bluster,
while Herring and Barshay are an unfailingly responsive tag-team. Yet while the four are seriously good
as soloists and ensemble players, the tone of the album isn't sober but instead carefree and joyful. That
makes the experience of listening to it all the more enjoyable, and one comes away from the recording
feeling good for having spent an hour in such congenial company.
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"New Dreams, Old Stories" closes with the lilting ballad/lullaby "When You Say Goodnight to Me"––
composed by Ms. Hennessy and Herring, the music feels likes a hymn and, at the same time, a love song.
Sweet and satisfying, it's just the right song to finish a program that is so inviting, so much fun, and so
well-played. Way North is not about technique, it's about how one can have a good time in the midst of
a crazy world creating music from the heart and soul. Enjoy!!
Richard Kamins – Step Tempest
There's much to recommend this equal-opportunity outfit and the album, but perhaps the most
appealing thing about it is diversity when each of its dozen tracks inhabits a stylistic world separate from
the others. The performances, assured in delivery and often celebratory in tone, reflect a broad array of
genre interests and a strong rapport between the participants; here are four people who clearly enjoy
playing together… Throughout the disc, her suave horn partners effectively with Cancura's bluesy bluster,
while Herring and Barshay are an unfailingly responsive tag-team. Yet while the four are seriously good
as soloists and ensemble players, the tone of the album isn't sober but instead carefree and joyful. That
makes the experience of listening to it all the more enjoyable, and one comes away from the recording
feeling good for having spent an hour in such congenial company.
Ron Schepper - Textura
Were it possible for trumpeter Rebecca Hennessy and saxophonist/clarinetist Peter Cancura to smile
while playing many of the often cheerful, sometimes wistful material—especially their instrumental
response to Charlie Haden’s oft-recorded paean for world peace—they doubtless would sport wide
grins…. The easy assurance of Way North’s interaction and consistent tunefulness, along with their
delightfully unorthodox use of singing, make the band an apt entryway to jazz for novices and New
Dreams a cheerful celebration for more seasoned jazz hounds.
Jamie Lee Rake – Shepherd Express
New Dreams, Old Stories is an intriguing combination of jazz and folk that fills the room with joy. Play
opens the record (and every live show) and it’s easy to hear why. It’s a memorable melody and a feel-
good groove, with some laid-back solos that draw the listener in. Other highlights include the percolating
Pajarillo Verde, the vocal lines of Dr. Good, Come Over to the House, New Way and the stirring title track
with its wordless vocal lines woven into the tapestry of sound.
David Reed – Belleville Intelligencer
Le bouillon ainsi concocté, sans surprendre le mélomane jazz expérimenté, apporte assez de satisfaction,
tant en termes de qualités techniques et mélodiques qu’improvisatoires, pour donner envie d’y revenir
sans se laisser prier.
Frédéric Cardin – Pan M 360
An extraordinary medley drawing upon not only jazz elements, but also the folk music of both South
America and the American South, New Dreams, Old Stories is a standout album highly recommended.
Midwest Book Review
While they consciously look to merge old and new, they do it without irony and are committed to the
music, even when they slide some sly humor into the mix.
Chris Spector – Midwest Record
“The music is instantly inviting and infectious with a capacity for taking the listener to unexpected places.”
– Ted Quinlan, The Whole Note
Top Canadians Albums 2015 - Ottawa Citizen
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