Be Good Tanyas

There could be many theories as to why so many musicians in recent years have opted for a style that hearkens back to the turn of the 20th century. For some, it stems from a longing for "authenticity" in the digital age, and few achieved that better than Vancouver's the Be Good Tanyas. The "old-timey" approach was still a novel concept when they came on the scene, but both the critical and commercial reception of their debut album, Blue Horse, proved that Frazey Ford, Sam Parton and Trish Klein were truly committed to the musical path they had taken, even though it unfortunately could only be sustained for three albums. A Collection's 16 tracks equally picks from this slim catalogue, displaying the trio's strength as songwriters, as well as interpreters of both the traditional and modern folk canons. But what still strikes deepest are the Tanyas' voices, particularly Ford's. More often than not, it was as if she were channelling the ghosts that haunted these songs. Few others had that ability, but many have since tried to emulate her. A Collection is therefore a timely reminder of how strangely beautiful the Be Good Tanyas were, and how influential they've become.