Friday, November 14, 1997

Few record companies would endorse a live, double-CD, thematic trilogy, but since launching her own Sheeba Records, Jane Siberry can put out what ever the heck she pleases.

All three CDs -- Child (Music For The Christmas Season); Lips (Music For Saying It) and Tree (Music For Films And Forests) -- were taped last fall at New York's Bottom Line club.

Writing and compiling the material for each show in one month, Siberry then rehearsed with the musicians for just three days before recording over two nights in October (Tree), November (Lips) and December (Child).

"I find it hard to spend too long on anything," says the Toronto-based singer-songwriter. "It's like cooking; you have to peak at the right time.

If you over rehearse, the energy changes, so everyone was flying by the seat of their pants." The first release of the series is Child (Music For The Christmas Season), a beautiful 20-song collection including originals, traditional carols, more obscure hymns and healthy doses of Siberry humor and charm.

"I didn't want it to be just traditional," says Siberry. "I wanted some kind of balance across time, through the years, and across sonic spectrum, but I think it all blends well together sonically."

Siberry feels that the spirit of Christmas is best captured in a live setting "because of the heart and communication, the group feeling," she explains. "That's what kills people when it is solitary because it's in contrast to what Christmas is about."

Next year, the other two double live CDs will see the light of day. Tree (Music For Films And Forests), due in the spring, is lush and filmic and includes many of the songs Siberry placed in films, while Lips (Music For Saying It), due next summer, is funky and funny and sparse and groovy. "I have way more ideas than I have cash flow," Siberry says of what else she has planned for 1998.

Meanwhile, Siberry will tour behind Child in North America, Europe and England, all before Christmas.

The Canadian dates are as follows:

Dec.13 Vancouver Vogue Theater

Dec 15 Ottawa National Arts Center

Dec.16 Guelph War Memorial Hall

Dec 17 Toronto Trinity/St. Paul's

(For more tour dates and Siberry info, check out www.sheeba.ca)