Since Cory Woodward arrived on the Vancouver music scene three years ago, the Edmonton born singer-songwriter has been swiftly gaining attention and praise from audiences throughout the city and beyond. Now with a fresh band lineup and an impressive album under his belt the “CW Express”, as his fans call it, is sure to be advancing at a rapid pace. ‘Princess Of The Skies’ is Woodward’s debut album and is nothing short of magnificent from start to finish. From the muted strumming of ‘Slipping Away’ to the Waitsian, raunchy riff of ‘Remedy Girl’, the album is consistently satisfying and refreshing to the ears. Like John Lennon or Jeff Tweedy before him, he can paint a bitter picture of life but leave audiences with a message of hope to hang onto. The bittersweet ballad ‘Turn to You’ speaks of personal salvation in the midst of the world’s downfall while ‘Revolve’ looms with a hopeful cynicism that we are not beyond redemption... yet.
Princess proves that Cory is an ambitious, focused and versatile new songwriter with a voice to be reckoned with. He can lure audiences with a soothing, Springsteen-like rasp and then blow them away with the unbridled, Soulful bellow of Joe Cocker though never over-embellishing or compromising sincerity. While working in the studio with producer Matthew Rogers (Mark Berube, Ben Rogers, C.R. Avery), the two experimented with unconventional recording techniques and fused electro with acoustic instruments to create lush arrangements that complement and never overpower the song itself.
His onstage presence is one to be reckoned with. Whether he is moving about the stage to the throngs of a guitar infused rock song like a sexy Elmer Fudd, whispering the sweet melody of a sensitive ballad or keeping everyone in stitches with his uproariously funny between-song banter, there is never a dull moment. Having shared the stage with great acts such as Mother Mother, Adrienne Pierce, and Jane Vain & the Dark Matter, Cory Woodward will be touring extensively both as a solo act and with his band in support of ‘Princess Of The Skies’, due to be released in July 2008.
Tour Dates
June 27 – 8pm – Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club
July 16 – 8pm – Vancouver, BC @ The St. James Hall (VFF Outreach Show)
July 18 – 8pm – Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar
July 19 – 1pm – Ladysmith, BC @ Aggie Hall
July 19 – 8pm – Ladysmith, BC @ In The Beantime
July 20 – 3pm – Vancouver, BC @ Vancouver Folk Festival
July 29 – 8pm – Calgary, AB @ The Tropicanca
July 31 – 8pm – Red Deer, AB @ The Velvet Olive
Aug. 1 – 8pm – Regina, SK @ McNally’s Tavern
Aug. 2 – 4pm – Edmonton, AB @ The Black Dog
Aug. 5 – 8pm – Brandon, MB @ Lady Of The Lake
Aug. 7 – 8pm – Toronto, ON @ The Local
Aug. 9 – 8pm – Pic River, ON @ Pic River Guest Suite
Aug. 10 – 8pm – Rossport, ON @ Serendipity Gardens
Aug. 11 – 8pm – Thunder Bay, ON @ The Apollo
Aug. 15 – 8pm – Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club
Sept. 27 – 8pm – Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club
