http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7L1BIDELc&feature=player_embedded

The normal connotation with a black book is that it’s a private cache of secrets. Is THE BLACK BOOK then meant as a revelation of Jully’s innermost secrets or stories of others’ private lives or some combination of the two? “It’s a combination, certainly,” admits Jully. “These stories are special; ones I’m comfortable sharing and what I’m comfortable writing for others.”

Jully’s life story is an open book but that doesn’t mean all the privacy goes out. “It’s a push-pull. People will invade your privacy but my way of deflecting that is to tell the real story –then all the gossip-mongering withers.” Jully Black tells her stories on her own terms; she’s a storyteller by profession thrice over, after all.

Musician, actor, interviewer; Jully knows where the heart of a story lies and how to tell it. She is the consummate communicator. Instead of waiting for when to start her new record, she concerned herself with how and promptly went about it. Stepping into the role of co-producer on THE BLACK BOOK, Jully created songs at home and brought them into the studio for tweaking, sometimes recording as many as three songs in a day. “This record did not take a lot of studio time. At home we have a saying, ‘if it doesn’t give you chills, it’s not in the will’.”

The album was also made entirely without the benefit of samples, an unthinkable step for many modern artists. “That was in itself so liberating. We benefited from people and their passion. We had musicians, players, in the studio. People who have had a dialogue with their instrument since childhood and still dance with it every day. I was privileged to have them in the studio to do their dance on my record.”

And dance they did, but this isn’t a Dance record. It’s also not an R&B record. It’s not a Pop or Rock record. It’s the sum of all these but the total is greater than its constituent parts. The name they christened to this sound in the studio was Durban Rock. Defying genres comes naturally to this Juno award winner, but it’s not without its own daring, to confront people’s expectations.

At the same time, Jully’s impact transcends her music. “I’m consistently amazed by learning how others see me. Nine times out of ten when people meet me they don’t tell me that they love my music, they tell me how I inspired them to be. I’m amazed at how people are connected to Jully Black. I accept that I’ve been chosen to be a leader in more ways than music. But music is where it all springs from.”

From Jully Black’s pen THE BLACK BOOK flows; an album in only Jully’s words. There are no cover songs here, just what’s in her heart. “I have a passion that I want to share with others and inspire. Listen and take these stories with you. They speak for themselves. It’s simple without being simplistic. It’s 38 minutes and not that complicated. Just take a listen. Open THE BLACK BOOK and go cover-to-cover. Wait! –There are no covers…”

Request “Running” at your local radio station and look for THE BLACK BOOK available everywhere November 23, 2009.

SERENA PROMINENTLY FEATURED IN ‘TCK TCK TCK: TIME FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE’ CAMPAIGN TRACK

Following Serena Ryder’s incredible sold-out Canadian tour earlier this year, she has been touring the U.S. extensively gearing up for the November 3 U.S. release of her JUNO Award winning album is it o.k.  All the while she continues to get outstanding album and show reviews across North America…”Like listening to the teenaged Aretha Franklin, it’s impossible not to be physically shaken when Serena sings,” says Elle Magazine.  Even as her International star continues to rise, she is never one to stray from Canada for long, so beginning on November 26 in St. John’s, she will play the first of six “An Intimate Evening with Serena Ryder” East Coast dates (details below).
“There is an energy in Eastern Canada that is so raw and so musical – it is like no where else in the world,” raves Serena.  “I can’t wait to get back there for these dates.”  Her East Coast fans will be just as excited for her return, especially after her appearance at the Newfoundland Folk Festival this past August garnered massive crowds and overwhelming response.  Kevin Kelly of the Newfoundland Herald had this to say, “Ryder, to no one’s surprise, delivered a powerhouse one woman performance that had many in awe….With stellar vocal ability and enthusiastic fans singing to every one of her tunes, including album tracks, Ryder said to the fans her short set was a true highlight for her.”  The accolades out East don’t end there, Earle Mader the Director of Programming at C100 in Halifax comments, “Serena Ryder did a private acoustic show for a group of C100 listeners and she was amazing, the crowd was ‘blowin’ away.’”
Along with her recent and ongoing hectic U.S. tour and promotion schedule, Serena made time to lend her support to a great cause by participating in the special re-recording of the Midnight Oil classic hit “Beds Are Burning,” as part of the ‘Tck Tck Tck: Time for Climate Justice‘ campaign.   She sings a large part of the verses and is therefore featured prominently in the song and video, which also involves the likes of Lily Allen, All American Rejects, Jet Li, Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie, Duran Duran, Bob Geldof, Hawksley Workman, Mark Ronson, Jamie Cullum, Marion Cotillard, etc.  For more information on the campaign and to check out the song/video go to: www.timeforclimatejustice.org.

“AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH SERENA RYDER” EAST COAST TOUR:

Nov 24, 2009  Truro, NS  – Marigold Cultural Centre
Nov 26, 2009  St John’s, NL – Delta Ballroom  www.ticketpro.ca
Nov 27, 2009  Halifax, NS  – St Matthews United Church  www.ticketpro.ca
Nov 28, 2009  Halifax, NS  – St Matthews United Church  www.ticketpro.ca
Nov 29, 2009  Fredericton, NB  – Fredericton Playhouse   www.theplayhouse.ca
Nov 30 , 2009 Saint John, NB – Imperial Theatre  www.imperialtheatre.nb.ca
Dec 2, 2009  Sackville, NB – Mount Allison University  www.ticketpro.ca
Dec 3, 2009   Sydney, NS – Membertou Trade and Convention Centre   www.membertoutcc.com