Gathering Sparks with special guest Cheryl Prashker

Gathering Sparks

Winner, Folk Music Ontario 2019 “Songs From the Heart” Award

Singer-Songwriter “All That’s Real" #7 on Folk Alliance International Folk DJ chart, October 2019

Nominated Canadian Folk Music Award 2014 "Vocal Group of the Year”

You will come to listen, and walk away singing. GATHERING SPARKS is the graceful collision of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis—musical friends who blend tight harmonies, finely crafted songs, and a love of participatory singing to create an intimate and uplifting experience. Their inclusive approach embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, and ukulele.

With their infectious mix of styles and compelling vocal blend, Gathering Sparks has been making some big waves. Their debut 6-song CD was nominated for a 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and they have become an audience favourite. Whether they are belting it out a capella style, tugging on your heartstrings with a folky original, crooning a jazzy swing tune, or getting into the spirit with a gospel-inflected singalong, Gathering Sparks performances make fans out of listeners with their stellar harmonies and fine musicianship. 
Their latest album “All That’s Real” was released on Borealis Records in September 2019. The lead-off song from the album, “Bringing in the Light,” was recognized with a 2019 Folk Music Ontario “Songs From the Heart” Award, singer-songwriter category. The album was also in the top ten of the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ chart for October and November 2019, and “Bringing in the Light” was the #1 song on the Folk DJ chart for the month of December 2019. The album ended up on several radio hosts’ “best of” lists for 2019.


GATHERING SPARKS "ALL THAT’S REAL"

Gathering Sparks' latest album “All That’s Real” blends finely crafted songs, transcendent vocals, stellar musicianship on guitar, keyboard, ukulele, and accordion, and compelling stories into a potent balm for troubled times. In times that cry out for love over hate, “All That’s Real” delivers.

Writing together for the first time, band members Eve Goldberg & Jane Lewis combined their love of word play, strong melodies, and harmony singing to create 11 new songs (plus one cover of a Pete Townshend classic) that will take you on a journey from hopeful, to thoughtful, to joyful and back again.

Produced by Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies), the album includes guest appearances from Cheryl Prashker (percussion), Anne Lindsay (fiddle), Joel Schwartz (guitar), Kevin Breit (guitar), and a host of harmony singers.

QUOTES

"The seasoned Canadian duo of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis compose great songs individually and together as well as deftly interpreting covers. What stands out about this album beyond its good voices with pleasing harmonies is its positive attitude. In an era of depressing songs there are several uplifting songs about politics and love performed with energy, vitality and sincerity. There's a great deal of depth in the material and performance embodied in this album….their duo has perfectly jelled with this recording.”— Rich Warren, WFMT "The Midnight Special” Favorites of 2019 List  http://midnightspecial.org/favorites2019.htm
“A formidable duo.” — Pat Langston, Penguin Eggs Magazine (feature, Winter 2019)
"Gathering Sparks brings level of musical skill and spontaneity to their songs onstage that is rare and welcome. Their sophisticated, intertwining harmonies complement finely crafted lyrics. Each song is fresh, taking the audience on new journeys and adventures. We were pleased to host their appearance in early 2019 and eagerly await their return.”
— Mike and Lorraine Messitt, The Anchor Coffee House, Lewes, DE
"Plumbing the depths of gospel, folk, and singer-songwriter traditions with talent and grace makes Gathering Sparks one of the most entertaining [acts] our audience has seen. They couldn't stop raving about them.” 
— Bob LeDrew, BobCat House Concerts, Ottawa