By Meghan Jewell
On October 17, 2015 the stage of the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium showcased Juno Award winner Meaghan Smith, guest artist of Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.
The night started off with the symphony performing selections from the film The Sting (1973) by Scott Joplin. This was a great way to kickoff the first Pops performance of the 2015-2016 TBSO season.
I have listened to Meaghan Smith for years, so I was excited about this performance and she definitely did not disappoint me. Her music has been described as eclectic, old-fashioned and jazzy but, even saying that, it’s hard to describe her original sound.
Musical director, Arthur Post kept with her vintage sound by choosing old classics like “Moon River” by Henry Mancini and “Blue Moon” by Richard Rodgers. As usual, the TBSO performed with energy and did an excellent job supporting this talented young artist and her eccentric instrumental accompaniment.
Her incredible voice, creative writing and endearing quirky nature entertained the audience from start to finish. Her banter between songs was honest and humourous. It was wonderful to get a background on the songs and it provided a context to what we were listening to. She really connected to the audience through her stories.
The concert ended with an encore that Smith did not at all expect or prepare for, which I found refreshing. She repeated a song she had performed earlier in the show but, then added with an acoustic lullaby, for her one year old son, that turned out to be the most precious and beautiful song of the night.
After the concert I had the privilege of meeting Smith and receiving her newest album Have a Heart. Though I fell in love with her sound with the first album, her newest one has only deepened my appreciation for her talent.
For more information about Meaghan Smith check out her website at meaghansmith.com.
