Babe Gurr

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Vancouver singer-songwriter Babe Gurr celebrates the release of her new recording 'Blurred Lines' at the Rogue! Joining her will be Paul Pigat (guitar), Nick Apivor (percussion), Jeff Gammon  (stand-up bass) and Simon Kendall (keys, accordion, support vocals).

Babe Gurr’s sound defies labelling but musically she finds a home best described as adult alternative -a fusion of blues/pop, with a twist of roots. Her new release “Blurred Lines” exemplifies her unique and seamless blend of genres. Her warm and sultry voice, intelligent lyrics, memorable melodies and savvy personality add up to pretty much everything you want to see on a stage. 

The organic bent to Babe Gurr’s music contributes to the success of her songwriting. Babe has recently received accolades; taking the win for the Sonicbids Nashville Song Contest, garnering honourable mention for three self-penned tunes in the acclaimed Billboard World Song Contest, and being selected as a finalist for three tunes in the 12th and 13th Great American Song Contests.  

Whether live in concert or on her various recordings, this artist promises to bring people on an emotional rollercoaster. Audiences will feel a whole range of emotions while on this musical journey but will walk away with a smile upon their faces!

Babe has headlined at numerous festivals across Canada and has played some of the most popular and prestigious concert halls spanning from Vancouver Island to the Maritimes as well as U.S. dates in New York and Seattle and her name is becoming familiar to many more fans each day, people who appreciate finely crafted songs performed with sincerity.

Strong reviews for both her recorded and live work have given her a profile that is beginning to attract attention not only at home but further afield. Nashville’s Gary Allen puts it succinctly: “This Canadian chick rocks! 

REVIEW: Blurred Lines

Babe Gurr just keeps getting better. Blurred Lines, a seven piece collection of new work proves the point in spades- box of audio chocolates, each one with its own unique flavour. These are songs with complex over and under tones reflecting a songwriter who has outdone her previous work as lyricist and composer while maintaining her ability as a singer of passion and subtlety. Babe has produced these songs herself and she exerts a firm hand, making sure that her voice is front and centre and the production never drowns the creations. She has assembled a fine team with Paul Pigat’s guitar work as a strong partner in delivering the songs.

Blurred Lines starts with “You’re My Truth”, a declaration of dependence in the best sense. It is a bluesy strut that pays tribute to what love can do. “If I Could Fly” embraces a series of random acts of kindness made possible by wings and ends with a classic East Vancouver reference to following the crows to a ‘peaceful place where I can set my feet down.’ It has a gospel tinge with references to wings, heaven and wisdom. “Dark Sided Man” is a love letter to someone- a relative; a friend- embittered by disappointment, defeat, age- something. The almost surf guitar treatment buries a hard truth in a soft approach that offers the promise of some kind of deliverance. “Lonely” is a post break-up on the rebound blues of someone looking for new love in the maybe right, maybe wrong places. “Lost Without You” is the ballad, a hurtin’ song, part break up-part make up, full of regret. The tasty guitar and vibes solos give time for the lyrics to sink in making it all the more powerful.  Otis Redding and Steve Cropper could have written “You” and Etta James, Carla Thomas or Betty Lavette could have recorded it, but Babe did it all on her own. Drenched in Memphis Stax/Volt R&B this is a song that could, should and might become a classic- an invitation impossible to resist. Blurred Lines ends with a road song. “Trust” is an anthem of transformation and liberation; leaving and becoming. “Say good-bye to who I used to be/Say hello to all that comes to set me free”- it is the perfect ending to a full meal deal emotional and aesthetic tour. 

Blurred Lines is as fine a collection of contemporary songs for grownups as is out there- anywhere by anyone- a set of finely cut jewels, each in a distinctive matching setting. The boundaries may be blurred in a dozen delightful ways; Babe Gurr’s vision is 20-20.

By Gary Cristall - Co-founder of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Canada Council for the Arts officer, and Capilano University Educator.

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. Find out more here, or simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com