A talented and articulate rising star, Canadian singer Eleanor McCain talked to me about her development as a singer, and her experience in creating her debut album, Eleanor McCain: Intimate. An enticing blend of pop, folk, and classical music, this CD resonates with the warmth, sincerity and purity of Eleanor McCain's voice. (Read our review in Art2u News Online).

My father's love is like an anchor
Held us steady, held us strong
A man so proud of his sons and daughters,
Where he lives we belong

"Green Hills of Home"
by Tim Thorney / Erica Ehm

In Green Hills of Home, Eleanor McCain sings with longing nostalgia of the small rural town of her childhood, Florenceville, New Brunswick. Nestled in the green hills of the Upper St. John River Valley just10 miles east of the Maine border, this down-to-earth Canadian community of about 800 people taught Ms. McCain to value family and friendship. These early influences "shaped me as a person and a singer."

The youngest of four children, Ms. McCain enjoyed singing with her school and church choirs. Her mother, Margaret, a classical pianist, played organ in the church. She accompanied her daughter on the piano "if I sang in church or school," says Ms. McCain. "My mother was an important part of my music when I was growing up."

Ms. McCain appreciates and respects her parents. "Our parents wanted us to find something we love and are passionate about. I have admiration for the balance they had. My parents supported me 1000%. They have been unconditionally supportive. There was no pressure. They are great parents. Very grounded."

The evolution of Eleanor McCain's vocal style began with a foundation in classical music under the guidance of her mother. She pursued her classical music training at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. "I love (Placido) Domingo. His voice is so smooth, beautiful, rich. His singing has beauty and passion. Cecilia Bartoli is the same." But Ms. McCain says, "I loved other styles." She likes to listen to recordings of John Denver, who she describes as having a "very emotional voice, but clean and pure," and his songs had "beautiful arrangements."

Ms. McCain was drawn to pop and folk, and started working with writers and producers to find the music that would touch her and her listeners on an emotional level. Over the past five years, this music achieved a consistency. "I'm drawn to songs that tap into deeper emotions," says Ms. McCain. Her music makes her "feel connection to family and friends." The style which Ms. McCain describes as intimate results from "a marriage between lyrics and music. You really feel what the words are trying to say through the music." The songs tend to be "soft, ballad-like, warm."

The lyrics to the songs on Eleanor McCain: Intimate have a richness that most popular music lacks.

When you are old
And pale and gaunt
And a gentle hand is all you want
I will give you mind to hold

"When You Are Old"
by Gretchen Peters

When You Are Old, an unusually touching song, has a strong personal connection for Ms. McCain. It makes her think about "the strong love" she has for her husband, and how "growing old with someone is not quite so scary."

At her husband's request, Ms. McCain sang Songbird to their guests, at their wedding. It is on Intimate, and is one of her personal favorites. "Songbird is expressing love for someone. The lyrics are simple yet profound."

For you, there'll be no more crying
For you, the sun will be shining
And I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright
I know it's right.

"Songbird"
by Christine McVie

Another song on Intimate that has particular meaning for Ms. McCain is Du Ring an meinem Finger by Robert Schumann. She explains that Du Ring "is about a young woman falling in love, her courtship, marriage, having a child, losing her husband. It's very poignant." These three songs, When You Are Old, Songbird and Du Ring "are close to my heart. They get to the heart of the emotion."

The making of Eleanor McCain: Intimate "could have been a challenge because the songs include so many different styles." But Ms. McCain was fortunate to work with a "very talented young guy" named Terrance Sawchuk, who produced the CD. Mr. Sawchuk is an accomplished musician, producer and sound engineer, and McCain says "he understood Intimate." She adds, "I was fortunate to work with all the musicians who contributed. It was such a great process making the album. Everyone was talented and nice."

The string arrangements, which add an elegant counterpoint to Ms. McCain's voice, were the work of Aaron Davis. Terry Sawchuk found him through word of mouth. Mr. Davis performs as part of a trio with Canadian jazz artist Holly Cole. Ms. McCain said that for Intimate she "really wanted strings. He has an unbelievable feel. His passion is music." In addition to arranging several of the songs, Mr. Davis plays piano on When You Are Old and Songbird.

John McDermott teamed up with Ms. McCain to do a vocal duet on When You Were Sweet Sixteen. "It was fun to work with John McDermott. He's a funny guy. What a voice. And he is very kind. He gave me a lot of advice." It was also fun working with Natalie MacMaster, who played fiddle on Green Hills of Home. "She's awesome. She's also from Eastern Canada. Very down to earth."

When Ms. McCain performs before a live audience, it gives her the opportunity "to bring the emotion of the song and share it with other people." In June 2001, she performed in Ottawa for Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, and many other guests at the Canada Day festivities. "Canada Day was special. I had never really been to the capital for a holiday. It was great to be there. It was a very patriotic day."

Eleanor McCain: Intimate debuted in Canada in 2001. "Making the CD was a great experience.... People here really love it. I've been really lucky. I hope it is a success, because I love to sing." Here's hoping that her music will be enjoyed around the world.