Wing, Courtney - Starlight Shuffle

Tracks

		Track Name	Length
	1	Weather
	2	Pillow Mind
	3	Celebration
	4	Jacky Moon
	5	Caramel Eyes
	6	Social Grace
	7	De los Ojos del Pajaro
	8	Slow Fine Day
	9	Soul Time

Photos

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Information/Write-up

Courtney Wing is a living illustration of modern Canadian multiculturalism. Born to a Chinese father and a Russian/Icelandic mother, Wing has played traditional Chinese percussion, sung with members of his hometown’s Icelandic folk community, played with a reggae band in Belize and danced flamenco in the south of France. It’s no wonder his second album, Starlight Shuffle, suffers from a minor identity crisis. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But Wing is catholic in his tastes, and his broad musical interests emerge track by track, as he hops and skips from soul to folk to piano bar jazz without missing a beat. Though the playful strains of organ and electro synth that permeate many of his songs please the ear and lighten the heart, Wing is definitely at his best when he edges towards the country genre, with his melancholic lap steel proving the perfect accompaniment to his smooth, mellow vocals.
-Rachel Sanders

Courtney Wing is a talented musician with a wide range of musical experiences including playing reggae in Belize, flamenco in the South of France and Latin American folk music in Mexico and Guatemala. Recorded in Montreal in a small one-room apartment turned studio in March 2004, Courtney Wing with the help of a few Montreal based musicians compiled a diverse and progressive folk rock album that spans a myriad of musical styles. Starlight Shuffle, Courtney Wing's second release, and self-produced debut, is a charming collection of personal observations and experiences through insightful and reflective vignettes of life, love and his community. His individual song writing style is complimented by a soulful vocal delivery, varied instrumentation and unique arrangements. Although there is not a consistent sound in the Starlight Shuffle, there is however, an unfailing mood that prevails and as noted in Wing’s Bio, 'invites his listeners into a compelling world of carefree and unpretentious humanity’. Starlight Shuffle integrates elements of electronica, Indian sarods, Spanish dancing troupes and orchestral arrangements with folk and delivers a delightfully soothing, cohesive mélange of musical diversity.
-Philip Harries

"Courtney Wing - a displaced left Coaster with soul, groove and something to prove and an excess of ability to do it" (Jamie O'Meara - Montreal Hour)

Courtney Wing invites his listeners into a compelling world of carefree and unpretentious humanity. Adept and amiable guitar playing accompanied by a relaxed and understated vocal style characterizes Wing's work. Wing's compositions move charismatically between progressive folk, alternative country, and pop rock. His soulful lyricism and good-natured approach to life and music win the friendship of even the casual listener.

Wing's second release, "Starlight Shuffle" (2004), delivers listeners an eclectic body of pop folk music involving elements of electronica, Indian sarods, Spanish dancing troupes, and commanding orchestral arrangements. Following the release of "Starlight Shuffle", Wing embarked on a three week promotional tour of Western Canada with fellow Canadian producer/musician Bob Wiseman (Blue Rodeo, Ron Sexsmith, Edie Brickell) and Jim Guthrie (Royal City, Three Gut Records). In his self-produced debut album, "For the Good Times" (2001), Wing and a company of fellow West Coasters (joined by Los Lobos/Cowboy Junkies Kim Deschamps) share moments of lightheartedness, tenderness and passionate soloing to make "a folk album unique to a genre that is over-saturated with cliched songwriters!". Courtney has also shared the stage with such renown acts as Jolie Holland (ANTI, Be Good Tanyas), Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco, Neko Case), Kim Deschamps (Blue Rodeo, Los Lobos), and Paul Horn.

Wing's diverse experiences include playing reggae in Belize, flamenco in the South of France, Latin American folk music in Mexico and Guatemala, and busking in New Orleans. He has acquired skills in a variety of styles and confidence in both solo and group settings. Lorraine Carpenter of The Montreal Mirror describes Wing as a "nomadic singer-songwriter who has gathered a pocketful of local colour at every stop."

Last year, after spending time dabbling in the Austin, Texas music circuit, Wing relocated his musical base to Montreal, Quebec, where he currently resides. In addition to playing at various local music venues, Wing is currently completing arrangements for songs for his third album - to be produced by Bob Wiseman.

Please check out Courtney's website for more details and samples of his music. www.courtneywing.com

“… laced with exquisite instrumentation and heart tingling vocals . A must have for 2005!” – Montreal Mirror

“A punch of soul with every beat!!!” – CBC

‘Starlight Shuffle’ emerged out of a small one room Montreal apartment turned studio in March, 2004. Courtney spent four intesive months recording the nine song masterpiece with the help of numerous Montreal based musicians. Synths, guitars, drums, violins, brass sections, electric and double basses, indian sarods, chromaharps, dancing troupes, and soulful vocal melodies make for a diverse and progressive folk rock album. Wing’s unique arrangements, choice of instrumentation, and unique songwriting have been compared to the likes of J.J. Cale, Beck, and Daniel Lanois productions.

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