Catherine MacLellan @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Catherine MacLellan is a folksy singer/songwriter backed by a simple but solid guitar, bass and drums combo, who seems to be armed with a whole arsenal of songs about divorce and other heartbreak. With a strong, honest and plaintive voice, MacLellan seems tailor-made for her genre and subject matter.

Grade: 80

Comment: Yet another snowstorm was raging outside and turning Queen Street into an inhospitable, slippery, accident-ridden mess. MacLellan took to the stage, announced she was sick of the snow, and jumped into a set of songs that provided the perfect soundtrack to a weary, borderline depressing night. Closing with an infectious and downright joyous sing-along about spreading her song, she also provided a momentary cure for those winter blues.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: S
Pronunciation: E
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: E
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
At first, MacLellan’s eyes are somewhat distracting. She plays with a bit of a thousand-yard stare, seeming to look through the audience rather than at them. This problem with eye contact is alleviated by her warm, open and amiable stage banter, though, and the whole package comes together in a way that is very appropriate for her collection of music about love and love lost.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: G
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Musically, this woman is near the top of her genre. Her songs are solid, strong, honest and very catchy. The only area of her performance that needs improvement is her admitted lack of skill when it comes to leading and commanding a sing-along. What kind of folk singer struggles with sing along? That’s like a preacher having some weakness in eliciting responses from his faithful.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: G
Sexiness: G
Haircut: S
Indie Rock Footwear: S
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
MacLellan and her drummer have the same haircut, which under normal circumstances, would probably be an issue when it comes to grading a band’s image. But MacLellan regained whatever points she may have lost for the fashion faux pas by calling attention to the situation with charming self-deprecation. Beyond the hair situation, MacLellan and her band looked satisfactorily rugged and folk-tastic.