The Shirleys

The program introducing The Shirleys promised a veritable trip around the world. “They sing everything from Cuban Carnival music and tragic Russian love songs to Mandarin flirtations and wrenching Appalachian protests.”

In this regard, the opening act at the Calgary Folk Club on Friday, October 16th did not disappoint. The musical terrain traversed by this out-standing, all female, a capella group from Vancouver was, certainly, all over the map: Covers by Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, and Ben Harper? Check. Feminist anthems and protest songs? Check. A pop-inflected original and civil-rights medley? Check. Songs in other languages? Check.

You may be tempted to think that a group so large – six members of The Shirleys were on stage on Friday night – and one with such a diverse set list may have lacked a certain unity. If you thought that, however, you would be quite wrong.

In fact, one of the most impressive things about this sextet was how tight they were musically and as a group. When these ladies sang it was almost as if they did so with one voice. Their gorgeous vocal arrangements were replete with rich, full, seamlessly blended harmonies that lifted the spirit. There was also no distinction between the members; no one seemed to be the leader or the “main performer” in the group. They all took turns introducing their songs or supplying lead vocals. As a group they were remarkably free from pretensions or egos and their musical concord benefited greatly from this fact.

Togetherness, community, harmony, social conscience, global awareness – it was a musical banquet (as much as a journey) during the first set at the CFC on Friday night. However, to this list I would add another important ingredient: jubilation. The program had warned us that The Shirleys’ songs “would reflect humanity’s common hopes and aspirations for a better more joyful world.” By the end of the set I certainly noticed a warm feeling inside of me and a smile across my face.