The multi-talented Elena Yeung has released a new CD called Dandelion, filled with songs she wrote in the last three years.
“One of the tracks didn’t make it on to the first album — it already had a slow waltz — and a couple were written while the The Gravedigger’s Daughter was in production, but I wrote the rest since then,” she said.
Only one song on the entire CD wasn’t written by Yeung. The traditional number, Cindy, is included as an add-on to an instrumental piece called Banjo Vs. Garden.
The name of the latter should serve as a clue to the reader. Yeung is a banjo player (though she doubles on six- and 12-string guitar, too). She was once described — in jest — by another local musician as “my favourite female Asian banjo player in the Creston Valley.”
Dandelion once again reveals Yeung’s talent for writing songs that have a timeless feel to them. When she rehearsed the gospel tune Gonna Build Me a Boat with the Persuasions in New York City, one of the singers said it sounded like the songs he remembered singing in church as a youngster.
“It isn’t something I necessarily set out to do,” she said. “But I like music that has kind of an old feel to it, so that’s what I end up writing.”
Many of the songs take listeners back to their childhood years.
“Dandelion, oh dandelion
Your yellow head’s a burst of sun
Summer’s here and school’s all done
Dandelion, oh dandelion”
And:
“Momma, look down
There’s a little bird fallen to the ground
Look how still he lays
Oh, Momma, will he be okay”
The likeliest explanation for lyrics that look at the world through the eyes of children comes from her day job, where she works with children as an occupational therapist.
Ask Yeung about making Dandelion and the response quickly focuses on her experience in recording Gonna Build Me a Boat.
The story begins with Yeung playing at a 2009 music festival in Dawson City, Yukon, where she met the Persuasions, an a cappella gospel quintet that was formed 48 years ago in Brooklyn. Two of the founding members, Joe Russell and Jimmy Hayes, continue to perform with the group.
“I was kind of hanging out with some of the members, having supper with them and stuff,” she recalls. “I talked about this gospel song I had written and said I didn’t know what to do with it.”
Some of the new members said the Persuasions might be interested in the song but later, when she emailed them about it, she didn’t get a response.
“Then a year ago I had enough songs for the CD but I still didn’t know what to do with the gospel piece.”
On the advice of a friend, she once again sent off an email.
“I got a response the next day.”
The message said that no promises could be made but they would listen to the tune. She sent off a CD and eventually it was returned without having got into the group’s hands. The second mailing proved to be luckier.
“They got it and they liked it,” she said.
Yeung initially thought the group could record their work in New York, then return it to Creston so she could add her voice and have a final editing done.
“But they said, ‘It would be really cool if we could all be in one room together.’ ‘I can’t do that!’ I said.”
Soon, though, she came to realize she was being presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.
“And I realized, I couldn’t not do it!”
She made arrangements to fly to New York, but not before her parents chimed in with their own concerns.
“My parents were terrified for me,” she laughed. “They told me not to go outside or do anything other than what was absolutely necessary.”
She met the Persuasions for a quick rehearsal, then had a second meeting with the bass singer and the group’s musical arranger. Two days later, she met the full group, but the rehearsal space they had planned to use was occupied.
“But it was a beautiful spring day and they decided we could go over to Prospect Park in Brooklyn,” she recalled. “So there they were, on a park bench, and they started. Then they told me to get right in the middle of the group to see if they were making the sound I wanted.
“It was a Sunday afternoon and everybody was stopping and listening. I had to keep reminding myself to pay attention—it was the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I’m still basking in that day—wow!
“And the guys were so nice and light-hearted. They did it because they loved the song.”
Yeung said she had two choices in making Dandelion.
“I could take what I learned from the first album and turn it into a commercial venture or I could just relax and have fun with it.”
She chose the latter course. She recorded parts of the CD in Vancouver, Idaho and Creston, in addition to the New York session. And she got to work with friends like violinist Karl Sommerfeld, among others. The final mixing was done by Jason Deatherage at Fort Cosmos Studios in Wynndel.
The Gravedigger’s Daughter quickly became a favourite of several CBC Radio personalities and has received plenty of airplay. CBC listeners can expect Dandelion to become just as popular.
This month, with her garden safely harvested and cleaned up for the winter, Yeung took her new music on tour, starting at Gray Creek Hall on Nov. 4, concluding with a CD release concert on Nov. 26 at the Snoring Sasquatch.
In the liner notes for Dandelion, Yeung writes, “Big thanks to the community of Creston, BC for all your enthusiasm, encouragement and support.”
The community of Creston would no doubt reply, “Right back at you, Elena!”
Yeung’s CD release concert is Nov. 26 at the Snoring Sasquatch. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8. Advance tickets are $10 at Kingfisher Used Books and Black Bear Books, and $12 at the door.