CHRIS BROWN AND KATE FENNER: O Witness

Chris Brown and Kate Fenner

O Witness

© 2002 RAM Recordings

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

A mixture of roots, folk, country, blues and rock by two of North America's most thoughtful and socially conscious artists.

tracks

1 1:44
2 Walk the Lake
3 Never Done
4 Distance Between Stars
5 The Last Thing That You Said
6 Wyoming
7 Pair of Twos
8 Alberta Sky
9 Trouble
10 Failed
11 Exquisite Song
12 How You Gonna Bring Your Children to God
13 Wild Heart

notes

Chris Brown and Kate Fenner have been making music together for half of their respective lives. Beginning in their teenage years, they founded the legendary Canadian band, The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, whose well-traveled road at the end of its ten-year existence led them to New York City, where they have made music ever since.

Chris and Kate's most recent album, O Witness, was met with great critical reviews upon its release in Canada, in 2001. The album is their fourth release following: Other People's Heaven (1997) and Geronimo (1999), and a live album, Great Lakes Bootleg (2000).

The album as a whole continues to explore the ethos of its predecessors, that is, some combination of passion, intensity, and conviction relayed with intimacy and hopeful humility. Upon its release Michael Barclay, in Eye Magazine, wrote: "What sets Brown and Fenner apart from other great instrumentalists are the densely poetic and literate lyrics, which...seamlessly place rich and disarmingly wise phrases into a smart pop song...Brown and Fenner...leave you enriched and fulfilled."

Their first single and debut video "Walk the Lake" has been featured on Canadian radio and was shown in rotation at MuchMoreMusic. The second video "Never Done," directed by Juno Award winner Sean Michael Turrell, could also be seen in full rotation on Canada's MuchMoreMusic as well as often being one of the top 5 most requested songs.

In the fall of 2002, Chris and Kate could be seen in the United States when regional video channels added "Never Done" into rotation, which has expanded on a national basis with the Trio Network playing it in high rotation. Chris and Kate were also heard nationally in the United States when they wrote the song "Wild Heart" that served as a soundtrack to an ad campaign broadcasted exclusively on MTV.

2003 has been a busy year for Chris and Kate. They have been continually performing having done a Sunday night residency at New York's now well-known "Living Room" from January until April. In March, they celebrated the release of the album "Songs" (a re-issue of the two regional albums along with bonus tracks) with performances in Ontario and Quebec. This followed with a tour of the West Coast of Canada in June.

The summer finds them playing at the Celebrate Toronto, Ottawa Blues, Guelph Hillside, Salmon Arm and Evolve Festival. Surrounding these festivals are more dates across Canada. They are also busy writing and preparing for their next album due to be released in March 2004.

September will find them on the road in the USA playing some dates with their Grammy-winning award friend Jesse Harris. In October; they will celebrate the release of their respective solo albums with a show a Toronto's Glenn Gould Theatre.

reviews

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  • This is a fantastic CD!!!!
    author: Rinda

    The music is varied enough to keep your attention throughout the entire CD. The lyrics great. Kate Fenner's voice is so intriguing, I bought other CDs from them. And the third song, Never Done... I have to hit repeat every single time. Wonderful!! So good, in fact, I came back to buy extra copies for my sisters for Christmas.

  • author: CD Baby

    Like Melissa Etheridge or Bonnie Raitt, this woman has got a voice and delivery that you know upon hearing, no matter what the words, is communicating from a profound place language can't begin to touch. Set amongst the overlapping worlds of roots rock, folk and country blues, the muses of Kate Fenner and Chris Brown will take you on an unforgettable, heart-moving trip through hearty and heartfelt rock'n'roll.

  • Stands the test of time
    author: Vicki Charal

    I've owned this album for a few years and it still sounds great every time I play it. Enduring.

  • enchanting and necessary
    author: john

    chris brown and kate fenner are a magical duo whose music tends to be hard to categorize. it is heartfelt, moving, and often socially relevant. the style blends folk and country and rock, but doesn't cling to any genre. kate fenner's voice is nothing short of magical. after seeing her in concert, one can help but be impressed with her petite stature and soulfelt voice. there is not one bit of over-production or imitation in this cd, and it, along with their previous cd's geronimo and other people's heavens, are treasures.

  • Thanks Chris and Kate
    author: Dylan Shaw, NY,NY

    Never Done is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long, long time. The variety of genres covered, successfully, is nothing short of amazing. Easily one of my favorite albums that I discovered this year.

  • Great sound, inspiring voice!
    author: Lisa

    This CD was great, her voice reminds me so much of Joni Mitchell on Night Ride Home. An excellent pick.

  • Powerful voice and mix of styles makes for excellent listening.
    author: Christopher Mason

    What strikes you first is the power and presence of Kate Fenner's voice; it's exceptional and easy to listen to. But what keeps you listening is the mix of styles: roots rock, country, blues, blue grass are all represented. These styles are combined in a way that sounds unique and interesting. The lyrics also stand out: the chorus, "Carry on my carry on... my notice everything," on Never Done is haunting and fantastic. In general, the tracks where Chris Brown fronts are less appealing, but Alberta Sky stands out as an exception. It's hard to compare this duo to others, but Bonnie Rait is probably as close as you could get. Give it a listen.

  • Heart-moving trip through hearty and heartfelt rock'n'roll.
    author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    Like Melissa Etheridge or Bonnie Raitt, this woman has got a voice and delivery that you know upon hearing, no matter what the words, is communicating from a profound place language can't begin to touch. Set amongst the overlapping worlds of roots rock, folk and country blues, the muses of Kate Fenner and Chris Brown will take you on an unforgettable, heart-moving trip through hearty and heartfelt rock'n'roll.

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