Preview

For almost two decades Stephen Fearing has been penning some of the most literate, stirring and emotionally charged 'folk' music on this planet. Couple this with stunning guitar work, and a smooth intimate voice (once heard, instantly recognizable), and you have the elements of a unique performer. Fearing's sixth and latest CD, 'That's How I Walk', is a defining work in the career of one of Canada's most respected artists, blending a raw, streetwise edge with evocative soul-searching imagery to produce music of quiet passion and depth. We are doubly blessed that Stephen is touring with Suzie - his opening set will be a major element in what promises to be a night of memorable, emotion-filled and distinctively Canadian-flavoured music that will hold you spell-bound.

'The lyrics are articulate poetry, the guitar playing is superlative ... moved me to tears' - Puremusic

'Without question one of the finest singer-songwriters working today' - John P. McLaughlin

Review

The Spring 2003 run of gigs has been one of our strongest line-ups so far, we reckon, and it climaxed with part two of our short Canadian season in the form of this engrossing double-header bill, which attracted a substantial and attentively appreciative crowd.

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing's wonderful albums have been firm faves here at Caped Cruiser Acres for a decade or more, so we already knew he was something pretty special - and with his fabulous guitar skills and unique emotional voice he more than lived up to expectations. Add to the equation glorious songs (among them the goosebump-raising 'Longest Road', 'Vigil', 'Finest Kind', and the title track from his new CD 'That's How I Walk', plus a glimpse of his Irish roots in a stunning reworking of the traditional 'Dublin Bay' from his classic 1988 'Out To Sea' album), stacks of charisma, and a confident, engaging stage presence, and it's little wonder that he comprehensively wowed an audience most of whom had probably never heard of him. His thoroughly convincing 40-minute opening set was enough merely to scratch the surface, and if Stephen tours the UK in 2004, as seems probable, he'll be headlining at the Talbot, never fear: and what a treat that'll be.