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Treasa
Lavasseur
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Treasa Levasseur will be a featured vocalist at
the
2007 Women’s Blues Revue, December 1 at Massey Hall
Treasa Levasseur will be a featured vocalist in the 2007 edition of the TBS Women’s Blues Revue taking place at the venerable Massey Hall on December 1. There have been plenty of greats in the sisterhood of soul, from Joni Mitchell to Etta James, Carole King to Dusty Springfield and way back to Bessie Smith. Well, there is another woman on the walk, and if you have not seen Treasa Levasseur personify the spirit of Blues, Soul, Funk and County, while casting her arms to the sky, then you haven’t seen nothin’ yet.
Treasa's roots spread far and dig deep spanning Country, Jazz, Rock, and Funk… You name it! Find her with a piano, accordion, guitar, mandolin, xylophone or anything else she can get her hands on... And true to Blues and Soul, her voice will make you melt! Having all of these skills makes Treasa a woman that doesn’t really live the blues as much as she brings the Blues to Life. It was apparent in her debut record “Not A Straight Line” with incredible songs like Asking Me To Give You The Blues, Solitary Man and Worthy In Its Ways.
A
lot has happened for Treasa since her 2006 debut boasting an all-star band,
including the late Richard Bell (Janis Joplin, The Band), Michelle Josef
(Prairie Oyster, Etta James), John Elliott (House of Velvet, Rhymestone) Sean
Cotton (Suzie McNeil Band, The Undesirables), Kevin Fox (Tom Cochrane, Sarah
Harmer) and Carlos Del Junco (Cassandra Vassick, Holly Cole) with guests Justin
Rutledge, Julie Crochetiere, Hawksley Workman among others. Treasa received a
nomination for the 2006 MapleBlues Award for Best New Artist. She has given
performances that have silenced rowdy bars from Whitehorse to St. John's, Nfld.,
and all points between. She's been seen at the Shelter Valley, Live from the
Rock, Om, Hillside, Blue Skies, Summerfolk and OCFF festivals as well as an
official showcase at The Blues Summit, among many others. Her voice has appeared
on dozens of independent recording projects, and she has worked in studios such
as Umbrella Music, Tattoo, and The Millstream. Her original songs, as well as
collaborations, have been seen and heard on Breakfast Television, MuchMusic, CBC
Radio, and college radio stations across the country. All of this is only to
compliment the live show which has seen Treasa share stages with Terra Hazelton,
the D. Rangers, Dan Whiteley, Justin Rutledge, Fefe Dobson, Peaches, Danny
Marks, Shakura S'Aida, Divine Brown, The Hidden Cameras, Bob Wiseman, Kurt
Swinghammer, Valdy, Mia Sheard, Claire Jenkins, The Supers, Julie Crochetiere,
The Undesirables, Serena Ryder, The Cameron Family Singers, Fred Eaglesmith and
Harry Manx.
A sophomore record is currently in the works, once again with skilled producer David Baxter (Sherry Kean, Lori Yates, Bob Snider, Penny Lang, Justin Rutledge, Michael Laderoute, Big Rude Jake and Northern Pikes). The recording is slated for spring 2008 and there will be plenty of performances before and after the release of the currently titled “Broad”. With an increased focus on the Soul and Blues aspects of her music, Treasa and David will no doubt produce another stellar recording for your enjoyment.
Lyrically and musically, Treasa’s music seems to warm you up and rub you down. It provides a beautiful emotional insight and seems to ask the perfect questions, but no one will blame you if you become fixed on the instrumentation and arrangement of the music, it is equally as uplifting as the message. Treasa’s songs don’t seem to escape anybody - they are pure inspiration and undeniably the Blues peppered with many types of tannin.
If you reside in Canada and dig the Blues then do not miss you chance to meet Treasa as she travels the country over the next couple of years. Tours are cooking as I write, and with the help of her friends at the booking agency LiveTourArtists, Treasa will soon be in your neighbourhood. If you love music and want to show your support you can find her CD on-line, but even better, simply request that your local retail store ensure that Treasa is on the shelf, pick yourself up a copy and tell all of your brothers and sisters out there about it. Then bring your dancing shoes and best digs to see Treasa in person. I promise you will not be disappointed.
The timeless music genre of Blues has undergone a resurgence lately and thankfully independent musicians seem to be able to make a living again. Blues Culture has always embodied the spirit of independence and Treasa is solidifying her place in the Blues, Soul, Country and Musical history books. This is enormously in thanks to Treasa’s many growing fans, and partly in thanks to the wonderful women who are opening their hearts and vocal chords to the Blues. Most simply put, I am hoping for more Treasa Levasseurs in music today and I am thankful for Treasa’s contribution to my musical literacy.
- Brent Bain
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