By: Sheena Lyonnais
September 15, 2009
 
Every woman has a little bit of country in her, which is why I am grateful for Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters debut album The Spirit Ranch Sessions.  She harbours the female integrity of Shania Twain, but with a folkier, bluegrass feel and less pent up poppy sexuality.  Recorded in Florida and produced by Bud Snyder (The Allman Brothers) and drummer Matt Blackie, the Spirit Ranch Sessions grabs harmonicas and charm by the horns and tosses them in a paddock with some old school blues influences and Stevie Nicks’ storytelling.

While the majority of the tracks have a chill vibe, Diana Catherine embraces a little bit of rockabilly flare in standouts “Walk,” “Sober (It’s Too Hard To Stay)” and “Lucinda.”  In a city of rock’n’roll, I sometimes forget about the talented Toronto musicians who dare to experiment and defy conventions.   This record puts me back to when I was 18 and I’d wear a torn mini skirt, a leopard print cowboy hat and use fake IDs to get into Nashville North (now West 7) to drink Whisky Sours just outside the town where I grew up.
 
This is a stylistic debut that is original and different yet manages to draw from notable classic influences such as Tom Petty.  Lyrically, it is a ton of fun, though I admit when “Blueberry Eyes” mentions St. Clair West it kind of threw me off.  Really, we have this kind of kickass country in Toronto?  Don’t believe me?  Give the Spirit Ranch Sessions a spin and it won’t be long before you grab your girlfriends and head to Dakota Tavern.
 
TTTT (out of 5)
 
For more information on Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters, check out www.myspace.com/dianassound .