Good Things from Jessica Rhaye

Saint John singer-songwriter Jessica Rhaye dropped by the Serf City studio this week to play some tunes from her new CD, Good Things, and chat with host Mark Leger. Photo credit: Kâté LeBlanc.

 

The following commentary kicked off the May 7, 2009, episode of ‘Serf City’ radio, which airs Thursdays at 6:30 pm on CFMH 107.3 FM. Listen to the commentary plus the interview with Jessica Rhaye here.

By Mark Leger

Plenty of surprises await first-time fathers like me. But none are so wonderful as watching Little Jack develop his senses. Communication is what I crave most and I expected a newborn to respond most to touch – a hug, a kiss on the cheek.

Alas, hugs and kisses mean nothing to him now. What he really likes to do is talk. I jabber away at him and he jabbers right back, smiling and laughing when I mimic his screeches and burbles.

What he likes more than anything, though, is music. We discovered this early on when his grandmother could halt his crying fits (for awhile anyway) by singing and playing the piano.

Since then, we’ve found he likes acoustic music most – from 60s and 70s favourites like Simon and Garfunkel to Kenny Rogers, to contemporary Maritime singer-songwriters Joel Plaskett and Jessica Rhaye.

Ever since Plaskett’s standout performance at Imperial Theatre two weeks ago, I’ve been entertaining Jack by singing along with the songs on Plaskett’s new disc Three.

I’ve been soothing him when he’s tired and cranky with Rhaye’s new disc, Good Things. In fact, an hour ago, I rocked him to sleep while listening to Good Things in preparation for tonight’s show.

Jessica Rhaye joins us in the studio with us to talk about her new disc and play a few tunes.

Listen to the interview here.