Local singer/songwriter Donna Durand is gearing up for the official release of her latest disc The Road Back.
Packed with original prairie roots tunes penned by Durand, the CD release party is set for June 6 at Sunnybrook Farm Museum from 2 to 5 p.m.
Special performances include guitarist and singer/songwriter Gord Matthews, clown and coach Chris Barnes and a mystery inspirational speaker.
"The project has been one of my happiest endeavors ever," explains Durand, who also works as the local regional manager for the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. It's work she's passionate about, but there's more to this talented lady than meets the eye.
Performing has always been a part of her life and was particularly so several years ago.
Initially, she put together a demo of original folk-oriented tunes recorded 'live off the floor' and the results are an absolute delight, from the plucky Flat Pickin' Pretty to the comparatively plaintive, heartfelt Nothing Grows.
Durand's pretty voice fits with virtually any kind of music she puts her hand to. Wild Roses and Winter of 1943 further showcase this – she knows much about writing real, authentic lyrics and tunes that reach the heart. She's also a compelling storyteller through her music, a gift that really shines through in the haunting Winter of 1943.
For the brand new project The Road Back, Durand, 51, was joined by a stellar group including Dave Grobe (percussion/vocals), Tony Mellor (upright bass), the aforementioned Gord Matthews (guitars/mandolin), Justin Stewart (electric guitar/banjo) and Byron Myhre (fiddle).
The project was produced by Barry Allen, and took about a year to complete with the team heading to Edmonton for sessions about once a month, explains Durand.
The new music continues her trek of delving into exceptionally creative territory from the sunlit, breezy tones of the title track to the equally warm and charming sensibilities of Maybe.
"Some people describe it as sounding like we are in a living room playing together," she says of the music's intimate, home-grown feel.
Ultimately, she's thrilled with the results, which truly reflect her own unique style and approach to making music.
"I don't want to be turned into something I'm not – I'm too old for that," she explains with a laugh. For Durand, creating music is also about working with the right folks that you can trust. It fuels her relaxed, natural approach which can be felt in her music. She is truly enjoying the process of watching this new path unfold before her, as it adds such a rich dimension to her life.
She describes music as also having a healing force, and utilizes it in some of her work with the Alzheimer Society.
Looking back, Durand studied musical theatre in Edmonton but it wasn't quite satisfying.
"Part of me is very interested in healing, in some small way making a little bit of a ripple of change for the better," she says. She opted for recreational therapy, then over the years took on more and more management roles. Her desire to promote wholeness came to a new level of fruition when she joined the Alzheimer Society.
Music has of course been a constant companion all along as well.
"What I also want to do in my work is to grab hearts, and that's what I want to do as a musician and performer as well," she explains. "I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."
Meanwhile, Durand is requesting folks interested in attending the CD release party RSVP to [email protected] by May 30.
For more information about Donna Durand, visit www.donnadurand.com.
