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Chantal Kreviazuk is probably best known south of the border for her cover of Leaving on a Jet Plane on the Armageddon soundtrack. That's too bad, because where she really shines is with her original material. She's an introspective, deeply personal songwriter with immense talent.
Chantal is a classically-trained pianist and a vocalist with an amazing range. She's brave enough to go out in concert on her own, facing a crowd with just herself and a piano. I was lucky enough to catch her concert in 2000 at the Spectrum, and it was one of the most intimate concerts I've ever been to. I also saw her in the summer of 2001at the Olympia Theatre with a full band, and the show was equally quality, if slightly less intimate.
Chantal's also married to Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. It's like Canada's own little mini-celeb soap opera. But her talent is all her own and has nothing to do with Raine. Their musical styles are very different but both are amazing.
Criticized for sounding too much like an Alanis-like angry girl rocker on her first release, Under These Rocks and Stones, Chantal's second CD, Colour Moving and Still, won several Junos and has been critically acclaimed. Personally I like her older stuff better- it's got more of a rock edge and is less adult-contemporary- but it's all amazing. Her third album, What if it All Means Something, has been added to regular rotation in my CD player.
Her unique phrasing and timing in her songs, the incredible piano-playing, and introspective lyrics are all components that make Chantal a true artist. For more info on Chantal, check out her official site at chantalkreviazuk.com.
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