You Crazy Dreamers

Posted: 17 Feb 2009 08:09 AM CST

Jon-Rae Fletcher is a Canadian singer-songwriter who grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia. Born the son of a preacher, Jon-Rae sang in his church’s choir by day and fell in love with the music of Kurt Cobain at night. Combining his passion for the sounds of country, gospel, rock, and soul, Jon-Rae Fletcher created a unique blend of music, which at times is minimal and soul bearing, and at other times a full-blown-rock-throw-down.
Stunning crowds with his resonating country voice, Jon-Rae’s cathartic, soul-stirring live show has helped build an ever growing following. Jon-Rae has recorded and released a number of stellar albums over the years, both as a solo artist and with full bands consisting of numerous talented friends from across Canada.

Recently released album “Oh Maria” is another example that Canada is not the land of hibernation and could be akin to the dusty rural south. There is a lot of “Canadiana” coming out lately and it is all good (see The Deep Dark Woods only a few posts ago).

The story behind “Oh Maria” seems like an unfortunate series of experiences that led to JR recording the story. There has been struggle that JR has worked through on his journey - both across Canada in life and in creating this album. The presentation of these 10 songs is intimate, confessional and a storyline of recent life experiences that he/or his character on the album overcomes. Like many before him, life teaches and shows you its ups and downs, and this album is all about that.

The sound of the album is essentially a gospel country album at heart. There is many influences from soul, jazz, Americana wrapped up in a singer songwriter package. The use of horns in this album alone is worth mentioning - powerful, yet tragic sounding at the same time, gorgeous stuff.

Enjoy a few tracks from the album below that was recently released February 3rd, 2009 on Weewerk Records out of Toronto. He is in good company there with Great Lake Swimmers, Barzin and Elliott Brood to mention a few. The songs below show you two of the stand out tracks in “Oh, Maria” and “Downtown”, with the piano laded swing time that is “My Hands” included for good measure!

Visit Jon-Rae Fletcher on his Website and MySpace Page.

Jon-Rae Fletcher
“Downtown” (mp3)
“My Hands” (mp3)
“Oh, Maria” (mp3)
from “Oh Maria”
(Weewerk)