Cara Luft

Cara Luft finally follows up her 2000 solo debut, Tempting the Storm, with The Light Fantastic. Yes, it’s been a while between solo records but Luft hasn’t been idle in the interim. Co-founder of the Wailin’ Jennys, she recorded two albums with them since they began in 2002, including the Juno Award-winning 40 Days. She left the Jennys in 2004 to return to solo recording and the result is an appealing blend of country and roots rock that has a significantly harder edge than the Jennys’ generally mellow vibe. Even traditional numbers like "Lord Roslyn’s Daughter” take on a dash of badass rock in Luft’s hands. Her bio makes much of a youthful fondness for Led Zeppelin and, weirdly enough, on tracks like "Give It Up” there’s a hint of Jimmy Page in her guitar licks and a trace of Robert Plant in her high notes. Incongruous, perhaps, coming from a young, female folk musician out of Winnipeg but somehow it all comes together very nicely indeed.