"Gorgeous, sun-struck acoustic soul" - Globe & Mail
Reid Jamieson is a classic Canadian heartbreaker with an incredible voice and a magical way with melodies. Born and raised in Toronto, Reid moved west to beautiful Vancouver BC to write and record while performing regularly with CBC’s Vinyl Cafe Orchestra.
Back in 2004 Reid independently released an alt-country gem titled THE UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH to much critical acclaim. Self-penned and produced by Josh Finlayson (Gord Downie Band, Skydiggers) the disc featured guest appearances from Sarah Harmer, Mia Sheard, Peter Elkas, John Southworth, and Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco).
2007 found Reid releasing a rather unintentional 50s era tribute to Elvis entitled THE PRESLEY SESSIONS. Initially recorded as a birthday gift for his long time sweetheart, this tender offering highlighted Reid's powerful abilities as a gifted interpreter of classic and cult tunes, as evidenced on free cover tracks he regularly posts to his web site. From Sting to Mary Margaret O'Hara - he eve …
"Gorgeous, sun-struck acoustic soul" - Globe & Mail
Reid Jamieson is a classic Canadian heartbreaker with an incredible voice and a magical way with melodies. Born and raised in Toronto, Reid moved west to beautiful Vancouver BC to write and record while performing regularly with CBC’s Vinyl Cafe Orchestra.
Back in 2004 Reid independently released an alt-country gem titled THE UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH to much critical acclaim. Self-penned and produced by Josh Finlayson (Gord Downie Band, Skydiggers) the disc featured guest appearances from Sarah Harmer, Mia Sheard, Peter Elkas, John Southworth, and Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco).
2007 found Reid releasing a rather unintentional 50s era tribute to Elvis entitled THE PRESLEY SESSIONS. Initially recorded as a birthday gift for his long time sweetheart, this tender offering highlighted Reid's powerful abilities as a gifted interpreter of classic and cult tunes, as evidenced on free cover tracks he regularly posts to his web site. From Sting to Mary Margaret O'Hara - he even takes requests!
In the fall of 2009 a stripped down preview of 6 new original tracks (later to be revamped on Staring Contest) could be heard on the limited run EP COURTING JUNIPER produced by Byron Kent Wong (David Usher, The Crystal Method).
Its now 2011 and his new full length, all original (and self funded) album STARING CONTEST is here and features Samantha Parton (Be Good Tanyas), Anne Lindsay (Blue Rodeo) and Vinyl Cafe bandmate John Sheard (Dan Hill, The Henrys). Recorded at various home studios with good pal and drummer Michael Frost of Blackfish Sound in Vancouver. Garden gnomes, unstoppable trains and no less than three proposals (!) can be found in the lyrics of this unabashedly romantic collection.
Although he rarely tours, on stage Reid has a way of connecting with an audience that is at once intimate and universal, whether solo or performing with talented friends. Along with his compelling vocal style and impressive guitar work are songs that draw you in with cautionary tales of love and lies, causing tears and laughter by turns. You won't want to miss what he does next so please stay tuned for more from this tender troubadour.
STARING CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS
RAIL made the top 10 in SHORE104's SUMMER SONG SEARCH.
RAIL is featured in SyFy's series BEING HUMAN
MY GREEN THUMB is featured in the CBC series 18 TO LIFE
THE COMBINATION made it to the top 5 in BC for SUZUKI's PLAYLIST FOR THE PLANET
File w/ Roy Orbison, Neil Finn, Jeff Buckley & Damien Rice.
"After Reid appeared on the Vinyl Cafe we received tremendous feedback from our audience. He stole the show...He blew me away."
- Stuart McLean - CBC Vinyl Cafe
'Irresistible...' - Eye Magazine
'Arresting...dazzling voice' - Toronto Sun
"Neither derivative nor nostalgic...The Unavoidable Truth, is a work of elegant, understated beauty... enveloping the listener in the atmospheric glow of his soulful vocals." - Paste Magazine (4 to Watch)
"Prepare to be surprised..." - Vancouver Province
"A solo, handcrafted effort, with the honey-sweet crooner...(and the) ladies swooned"
- Brad Wheeler / Globe & Mail
'Beautifully done...a truly authentic voice.' - Molly Johnson
'Jamieson's songs are unabashedly crisp (take that, Bonnie Prince!), drenched in wistful piano/guitar melodies, and centered on his satin whisper.'- CNET.com
"Neither derivative nor nostalgic...The Unavoidable Truth, is a work of elegant, understated beauty that juggles elements of plaintive folk, rock and countrified pop while enveloping the listener in the atmospheric glow of his soulful vocals." - Paste Magazine (4 to Watch For)
'Well-constructed pop treasures that rival Glenn Tilbrook's compositional prowess and the emotionally potent presentation of Jeff Buckley... gorgeous, unbridled voice beams thoughtful lyrics over a vintage country-inspired band.'
- MilesOfMusic.com 'Toronto boy kicks Josh Rouse's ass crooning indie-soul-country classics all of his own making...your life will be better with this music in it.'- Americana UK
'More than just another promising upstart...rootsy, mellow and honey-sweet.' - Toronto Life
"The Unavoidable Truth showcases a talented and tender young artist with seemingly limitless potential and a total package that screams mainstream accessibility without losing credibility. Take that, John Mayer."- Glorious Noise Chicago IL
'An intelligent, eclectic-pop tunesmith with a rich voice in the tradition of Neil Finn or Glenn Tilbrook, but his short, sharp songs are more guileless, emotionally honest and vulnerable.'- Eye Magazine
'Utterly charming on stage, Jamieson kept a packed room in pin-drop silence... He caressed the notes with his honey-sweet croon, held a space for us all with the clarity of his vision, intent and purpose, and melted hearts throughout the set.'- Umbrella Music NXNE 2004
Blue Rodeo, Neil Finn, Paul McCartney, Sarah Harmer, Wilco, Ron Sexsmith, Josh Rouse, Elvis Presley, The Kinks, Ryan Adams, iron and wine, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Jeff Buckley, Patrick Watson, Hawksley Workman, Great Lake Swimmers, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn, Gordon Lightfoot, Kathleen Edwards, Mia Sheard, Jim Cuddy, Jason Collett, Dallas Green, City and Colour, Peter Elkas, Roy Orbison, Bill Withers, Harry Nilsson
