Angel Forrest

Montreal is filled with talent. Canada on a whole is filled with talent. I find it amazing how I discover local talent doing amazing things. By accident or maybe it was fate, I was reading the Montreal International Jazz Festival program guide. Within minutes, I saw a photo of an intense looking vocalist. The one thought that came to my mind was are her vocals as intense as the photo? I read the blurb and sure enough the press release said as much. I went to YouTube in the hopes of finding footage and there was plenty for me to view. I noticed the name Janis Joplin appearing on the web pages mentioning Angel Forrest. I would understand why when I heard her sing.

I'm a big fan of exceptional female vocalists if you're new to my blog. I always liked the raspy, hoarse quality of Tina Turner, Bonnie Tyler & Alannah Myles.  Angel Forrest has entered that elite group. Her singing Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here makes me wish I was there.



The last time I caught one of her live performances was a few years ago. I arrived so late that I was convinced I'd miss her performance. According to the schedule, she was third on the show roster. When I got to Berri Square, I was upset because no security or even volunteer could confirm whether or not she performed.

To my surprise, the show MC announced her name and I was immediately relieved. I was treated to a mini set of Angel Forrest's raw vocals and stage presence. I only wish I was closer to the stage but being on the grass from a distance allowed me to take in more of her vocal quality. There was a couple seated in the grass near enough for me to see the woman rocking out to Angel's finale Like The Way I Do.

No disrespect to the other artists on the bill but I left after Forrest's finale. I had to attend another festival later that night. I was just extremely relieved I got to hear Angel Forrest live that night rather than later.

Speaking of sooner & later, the soonest Angel Forrest performance is scheduled on July 3 for the 2013 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.