(05 October 2001) The seven-track debut album from Canadiansinger songwriter Shannon Weir is entitled Nature About You(Socan (Canada) SHAN 002, 2001). The album is dominated byShannon's voice; she also provides piano and organ and is joinedby producer Ian McNally (guitar, mellotron, leslie organ), Andrea Bettger (violin), Alex McMaster (cello), Paul Passmore(bass) and Randy Cooke (drums). The album will almost certainlyappeal to fans of Jennifer Nobel from Grey Eye Glances (review. Unlike most singer songwriter albums of the day, there is no multi-tracking; the listener is treated to Shannon's lead vocal exclusively.

Shannon's voice is sweet and crystalline; songs are sensuallysung over light arrangements with vocals mixed way up. Gentlyrocking tunes compliment the ballads that form the majority ofthe album. "Beach" is a lovely ballad with an arrangement thatbuilds as the song progresses featuring strings and electricguitar underscoring Shannon's soaring vocals. The softly rocking"Catch Me" is one of the most Grey Eye Glances-style tracks onthe album with a catchy chorus.

"Imagine That" is a darker ballad with organ and light percussion providing a backdrop for the sensitively sung vocal line. Violin andcello are the main accompaniment for a lovely ballad "Lunar Eclipse"which effectively blends dark with bright spots to acousticallyillustrate the song's lyrics; vocals are bright throughout, soaringabove the arrangement. The soft rock tunes "Shannon Falls" and "Day and Age" are the album's standout tracks; guitar and piano provide a lovely texture for Shannon's sensitively sung vocals.

The album concludes with "Stop," a lovely pop-oriented piece of electronica full of lush keyboards sharply contrasting the other tunes on the album and demonstrating the artist's range. Certainlyworth a journey, Nature About You is a wonderful introductionto Shannon Weir and a very nice listen!