Rating: NNN
Among aboriginal musicians, Wayne Lavallee is the shit. His second album, Green Dress, was nominated for a Juno and won an Aboriginal Music Award, and he’s got the potential to be one of native music’s biggest crossover artists. The Vancouverite effortlessly mixes Cree chants and themes with catchy folk melodies – a combination that’s much more accessible than it sounds. It helps that Lavallee isn’t married to one particular style. Caught Up In A Jam sounds like Springsteen, while Dusty Warrior is a rollicking country track about hitting the road and leaving his love back home. Green Dress might not be the album that’ll break Lavallee, but it’s only a matter of time until he becomes a Canadian folk circuit staple. Catch Lavallee at Harbourfront Centre, Sunday (July 2).
