And I’m sorry that I’m leaving you, somewhere else I need to be... tell me if you’re feeling blue... I’ll leave a photograph of me... - Ranj Singh, “Maybe Someday I’ll Call” (from “Simple Man”)
Ranj Singh is an individual with a strong sense of his place in this world. He has a down-to-earth attitude that permeates his personality and entire body of work.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to review his latest CD, “Found A Way Home,” which he released this year with his new band, Ranj Singh and The Discriminators. Shortly afterwards, Singh sent me his first solo project, titled “Simple Man.” He did not ask for a review, but I could not pass up the chance to shine a new light on this endearing Canadian artist.
The best singers do not always have the most stunning voices. However, they have the ability to use their voice as a deep emotional vehicle that usually leaves the listener moved to the core of their being. Singh is that kind of singer. What also sets him apart is his talent for writing simple, yet profound lyrics. This talent shines in songs like “Everything’s Okay,” “Summer Days,” “A Minute of Your Time,” “Don’t Wake Me,” and “Maybe Someday I’ll Call” — my favourite track.
And if you add the dreamy and catchy instrumentation, which features a mixture of instruments including the tabla, melodica, dobro, dholak, Hammond organ, synths, and lap steel, the result is a captivating series of 11 songs that each tell a beautiful story.
It is often said that debut albums have a particular vibe and passion that set the tone for subsequent releases. In the case of Singh, the rule holds absolutely true. “Found A Way Home” had left me with a renewed sense of peace. But “Simple Man” left me with much more than that. There is something magic about this CD. And it is probably what true creativity is all about!
Five stars.
More about “Simple Man”
Release date: January 2008
Produced by Wyckham Porteous
Recorded and mixed by Brandon Cherrington
Mastered by Ryan Dahle
Track listing:
- Everything’s Okay
- Summer Days
- You And I
- You Were Not Alone (Tsunami 2004)
- A Minute of Your Time
- My Life for You
- Simple Man
- Don’t Wake Me
- Bauji (Grandpa)
- Maybe Someday I’ll Call
- Pass You By
The album is available for purchase at www.cdbaby.com, www.cduniverse.com and on iTunes.
About Ranj Singh
Ranj Singh is a guitarist, singer and songwriter hailing from Vancouver who started his career over two decades ago. He has performed with many local folk-Punjabi and Hindi artists and helped form Dal Dil Vog, a multi-award winning band that performed with artists such as Jan Arden, 54-40, and Mathew Good.
Singh created a new genre of music, labelled ‘Indo-Folk’, and currently is the lead singer and guitarist of Ranj Singh and The Discriminators. The band also consists of Chris Dufault (guitar), Dan Huget (electric violin), Bojan Bugarinovich (bass, sitar), and David Eadie (percussion).
For more information on Ranj Singh, visit www.ranjsingh.com.
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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
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