Top Aboriginal CD re-released on Arbor

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Wayne Lavallee's album Green Dress is nominated for Best Aboriginal Recording of the Year at this year's Juno Awards taking place in Winnipeg on April 3. It had been available on an indie label, but has been recently re-released by Arbor Records.

Green Dress, Lavallee's second album, was named album of the year at last year's Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. It tells of a journey through love and desire, pain and hope, and most importantly, tells a story about his people.

His is a distinctive and soulful sound with an Aboriginal flavor. It represents our people in a social and political way that we as Aboriginal people can relate to and identify with.

Fellow Canadian rockers Kevin Kane (Grapes of Wrath) and Steven Drake (The Odds) took part in the birth of Green Dress.

Lavallee described Kane as an "artist's artist," who helped embellish the songs and made sure it was Lavallee's vision that was heard on the CD and that he was happy with the outcome.

Lavallee described Steven Drake as a kind and gentle person and very eccentric.

The harmonious vocals of Shakti Hayes are also heard on Green Dress, as are the vocals of Russell Wallace and Renae Morriseau.

Raised on country music, Lavalle said he is a sucker for melodies. The attraction to acoustic guitar began at the age of five when he says he sensed he wanted the instrument, but didn't quite know why. Today his guitar is a tool used to express his struggles and celebrate his accomplishments. It is an extension of his soul and has been with him through think and thin, he says.

Lavallee wants the listener to visualize what they hear. He wants to share his stories through music, to inspire, to express the positive. His songs influence the listener's pride. His voice makes the listener wish he shared Lavallee's musical gift.

On March 8, Lavallee performed at the Sidetrack Cafe in Edmonton. Part of the performance included introductions to each of the songs. He spoke of his influences, his reasons for singing the songs.

For example, he said the song "Heart Land" takes him to a different place, as though he is in the clouds ... "Silence" is a song influenced by the tragedy of 9/11 and sends the message that we shouldn't take life for granted.

"Caught up in a Jam" describes the world as commercialized and corporate, from what we eat to what we believe in. "Breathe" is a song about suicide. It's a cry for help and for love. The title song, "Green Dress" is about reuniting with a lost love and eventually falling in love again.

In Lavallee's songs you can hear the trials and tribulations, you can hear his pain, his love, the lessons of life. These are particularly compelling in his beautifully haunting chants.