Ottawa Blues Society Newsletter

By: James Doran

Posted Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006

One of the mixed blessings of being a Blues Festival/Concert Series Producer is receiving promotional CD's from artists wanting to get hired. Some are good, many are don't-quit-your-day-job bad and once in awhile, a jewel like "Not A Straight Line" by Treasa Levasseur comes along. From the minute I popped it into my player I fell in love.

Think Joni Mitchell, Etta James, Carole King and Dusty Springfield rolled into one - all influences according to her bio. Treasa's powerful yet sensitive voice has great range - it can whisper, cry, soar with joy and blast you out of your seat - sometimes all in the same song! She has superb pacing and a feel for a tune that characterizes all the great ones. She's also a first class songwriter (every song on the CD is original) with lyrics that emote, entice and captivate. And can she play! - piano, accordion, guitar, mandolin, percussion and a Rhodes and diamonica - whatever they are? Add in a theatre background (actress, playwright, producer) and a career as a successful children's music teacher/entertainer and you have the versatile, eclectic and talented package that is Treasa Levasseur.

Born in Winnipeg but a Toronto native since 1990 Treasa is a well-connected member of the roots music community in Canada having backed many artists, done studio work and played bars and festivals from coast to coast. So why hadn't I heard of her before? In 2002 she released a CD called "Me and The Boys" under the moniker "Slim" but this is her first CD under her name.

Not A Straight Line is not straight blues. There are elements of jazz, folk, rock, soul, swing, boogie-woogie, salsa, C&W, ballads and gospel on this album. iTunes show her as "unclassifiable" under their genre category - appropriate I thought. Treasa's music reflects her background. Over the years she has played with such diverse artists as Pan Con Queso, Dan Whiteley, the Undesirables and Serena Ryder. On this CD she is joined by David Baxter (who also produces it) and a host of other talented musicians including the incomparable Richard Bell (Janis Joplin, Colin Linden) on piano, organ & clavinet and Carlos del Junco on harp.

I like every song from the slow & soulful opener "Brotherlover" to the last lullaby "Singing Emma" - dedicated to her daughter. But the ones that jump out and bite me are: "Asking me to give you the blues" - a sultry, smoky, jazzy blues tune that evokes memories of Dusty Springfield with some sweet harp work by Carlos; "Solitary Man" - slow and melancholy with great lyrics and occasional flights of soaring vocal power from Treasa: "One" - a swinging cha-cha piece featuring horns, flute, percussion, piano and Treasa's lovely voice that puts me on a beach somewhere in Mexico; and lastly, my favourite - "Worthy In Its Ways" - an upbeat, soulful, hand-clappin' southern Baptist gospel tune that just makes you feel good - "..good old Jesus still had somethin' to say - He said love each other, treat everybody like your sister or your brother…" Ain't that the way!

You ARE worthy in YOUR ways Treasa and your ways are wonderful. Please keep your music flowing to help, heal and bring happiness to us all. Thank you and God bless. Looking forward with baited breath for the next one.