RESPONSE TO THE SONGS:

"Slowdancing…" is one of the sanest portrayals of adulthood this listener has ever come across. Seasoned and wise with middle age and steeped in the pop and R & B sensibility of the 60's and 70's, 'Slowdancing...' also portrays the horny innocent freshness, and gawky awkwardness of adolescence, along with an unrestrained romantic yearning for the redemption of love.

"There are cleverness and sly humour, and startlingly direct lyrics. The record creates a world where adults can happily enjoy each other without embarrassment, guilt or regret. The music mirrors the lyrics. Old fashioned grooves, familiar and yet fresh; comfortable and yet stimulating, are allowed the room to stretch out in pure pleasure for their own sake, kind of like making love with your long term partner on a sunny Saturday afternoon when no one else is home."

Dan Zanbilowicz
The Word Magazine
Vancouver Island

"The sound you've created here reminds me of some of those great bands that used to haunt the clubs and high schools in Toronto back in the day… I confess that I had all but forgotten how good a dirty guitar could sound, especially when a Hammond organ through a Leslie slides in underneath. Next thing you know you're into a 6 minute groove that could go to sixty minutes, man, or even seventy-two."

Dugg Simpson (Liner Notes)

"Like many of my songwriting colleagues, I was delighted and surprised when our favourite drummer turned out this bunch of beautiful and evocative songs."

David Essig

"You can not help but be amazed by his ability to reach into poetry and yank out reality. "

Erin Benjamin

"Expresses matters of the heart… with beautiful melodies and great wit. "

Jian Ghomeshi
Moxy Früvous, Host of CBC TV's "Play"

"Bill's lyrics now move me as his rhythm always has."

Valdy

"Just listened to your CD Bill and really enjoyed it. Great writing, playing and production throughout. Congratulations on some fine work - you've made some great music."

Holger Petersen
Host of CBC radio's Saturday Night Blues/CKUA's Natch'l Blues

"Bill Usher's Slow Dancing in the Ballroom of Life is an excellent collection of mature minded songs. Beautifully produced (by Bill and John Switzer) the music flows as a gorgeous backdrop for Bills sensual songs. Featuring some very special guests, including some of the best Canada has to offer, this album dances around the ballroom without once falling into the traps and constraints of mediocrity."

Steve Fruitman
Producer and host
Back To The Sugar Camp - CIUT-FM Toronto

"That's a really fine CD you've made there, Bill.... congratulations...

it's everything I like in a record... it's got that cool "tight and loose" at the same time feel to it... "slick and raw" too,. that's always a good combo.. big but intimate too. another of my favourite contrasts...

It's been in high rotation here at dinner-making time... ( I never know if that's a complement or not, but that's about the only time I'm not MAKING music but listening to it!)

I was wondering if Canada really needed another middle-aged singer/songwriter guy... I can see now that they do!
All the best with it...

and yes... it does sound pretty darned radio-friendly!"

James Gordon

"Bill's songs are a commentary on a life well lived ­ passionate and personal."

David Francey

"Slowdancing... is a lovely, piece of work with some of the most beautiful instrumentation and arrangements I've ever heard."

Lillian Wauthier
Acoustic Harvest Folk Club, Toronto
Board, Ontario Council of Folk Festivals
Read the full review .

Go here for performance info Read reviews from Bill's solo shows in West Vancouver and Courtenay.

PERFORMANCE REVIEWS:

“What a fantastic performer! Bill has developed that magical combination of fresh vitality and seasoned wisdom in his performance. His songs are personal yet universal, moving the entire audience to laugh, sigh and sing along. We highly recommend Bill to audiences everywhere."

Chris Frye
The Bills

"Bill Usher's impact on the Blue Skies Music Festival over the past five years has been immense. Not only is he a captivating main stage performer, his contributions to workshops on percussion, song-writing, and "playing well with others" have been wonderful. Bill is above all else a "musician's musician"- his ability to work with other performers and support their efforts on stage and in workshops is truly inspiring. His wealth of talent and experience is very much appreciated by all who attend our festival."

Al Rankin - Artistic Director
Blue Skies Music Festival

"How did a three-time Juno Award winner, a first-rate professional conga player, a major TV series writer and producer, a veteran recording artist, a sideman who toured with Bruce Cockburn and producer of Sharon Lois & Bram - how in short did Bill Usher manage to infiltrate the Atlantic Fringe Festival without a 50-piece brass band of publicity to announce his coming? Expertly paced and delivered and enlightened with original songs and some super-charged drumming, this is a funny and touching piece of concert theatre. It's a big-time hit!"

Halifax Chronicle-Herald, N.S.

"Bill Usher seems to sing what most of us can only think to ourselves."

Sunshine Coast Reporter, BC.

"While many people were watching a blowout of a Superbowl game on Sunday evening, I was enjoying a terrific house concert in Calgary with Bill Usher. Bill and his superb guitar playing compatriot, Steve Briggs, performed songs from Bill's new CD, Slowdancing in the Ballroom of Life, with skill, emotion and a lot of humour. His lyrics really hit home as I often found myself smiling and nodding as Bill expressed so many things I have felt but maybe didn't realize.

"As a long time percussionist, Bill puts a fantastic groove into his songs - you can't help tapping a toe or slapping your hand on your thigh. And he got the best out of the house choir with some very singable choruses.

I'd highly recommend coming out to hear him next time he's in your area. He and Steve put on a great show."

Doug Baker
posted to Maple Post list

"Magical. Simply magical. If you are out there thinking about hiring Bill, please don't think any longer, Book Him! You'll be creating memories to last a lifetime."

Jim Samuelson
Bignote Entertainment, Calgary