Matthew Barber's "Ghost Notes"

Canadian singer/songwriter Matthew Barber’s “Ghost Notes” (Outside Music) was released in Canada in early 2008 and was subsequently nominated for a Juno Award as best “Roots & Traditional Album”. Better late than never the self-produced “Ghost Notes” made its delayed USA debut on April 14th 2009. It might seem too early to start giving out Top Ten spots but based on my iTUNES play count I imagine I'll be adding “Ghost Notes” to my best of list for 2009 come December. Matthew has written and recorded a disc of heartfelt intelligent tunes in the spirit of fellow songwriters Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Traci Chapman and Josh Ritter. On the ten tracks Barber walks the romantic songwriter tightwire without ever falling into the "Emo" abyss. Matthew's vocals, piano and acoustic guitar form the core of "Ghost Notes" but everything isn't stripped down folk. "Easily Bruised" and "One Little Piece Of My Love" are two radio friendly tracks that find Matthew turning it up and folk-rocking. "I'm Gonna Settle My Accounts With You" adds horns to the mix as he threatens "I could kick your ass, yeah you in the looking glass". "Our Voices" brings the disc to an end with an uplifting piano and vocal track that's tailor made to play over an Indy film's closing credits. Just so you know, if you plan to catch him on his US tour and are thinking it might be funny to heckle him about Canada, curling or Stompin’ Tom Connors let me remind you that besides being a talented singer/songwriter, Matthew is also a hockey goalie.

Catch Matthew Barber LIVE at the following locations:

May 12 Living Room - NYC
May 13 Union Hall - NYC with Jill Sobule
May 14 Milltown -Carrboro, NC (Thanks for booking a NC show! I'll be there)
May 15 Farm 255 - Athens, GA
May 16 Criminal Records - Atlanta, GA