Debbie Adshade is another fine artist out of Canada, and Into Thunder, her fifth recording, shows a richness and maturity with the blending of an eclectic range of musical categories and styles.

Though she has played in a variety of east coast clubs and festivals, Adshade is probably best known to U.S. audiences as a folk singer formerly partnered with Judy Kamminga as the duo Madrigal. Two recordings with Kamminga resulted in a tour of the eastern United States and recorded performances on CBC national radio. Adshade has been a guest musician on recordings for Modabo, Frank Taylor, Toot Sweet, Paula Foley, Judy Kamminga and others.

She seeks a wider creative freedom for herself here in these 13 original compositions, which incorporate jazz and blues flavorings. Adshade has a rich and mellow voice and accompanies her vocals on 6- and 12-string guitars.

She plays along with percussive rhythm tracks that shape the mood and atmosphere of each song on this CD. This required a collaborative effort with a team of skilled musicians -- Mark Adam on drums and percussion, John Brown on violin, Mike Doherty on bass and organ, Tom Easley on upright bass and Mike Hanlon on mandolin.

Some of my favorites are "Get Up," with its distinctive percussive backup, "Restless Days," the long but entrancing "Shine," "All Bad" and "Little Feathers."

by John R. Lindermuth
Rambles.NET
28 January 2006