Exclaim!
By David McPherson - Nov 2008
Where was this sweet, innocent, fill-a-room voice hiding? This dynamite disc opens with the powerful "Help Me Over," co-written by Corin Raymond and Sean Cotton; the song explodes from the speakers like a gale force wind on a lonely prairie. Levasseur's languid, "big, fat" voice builds and builds, guiding her and the listener to a cathartic climax. One imagines the sultry songstress leading a gospel choir in a rousing song of salvation in some rural Southern church. From this strong opener, the rest of the record is one choice cut after another - an equal mix of blues, gospel and jazz. While her voice is her strongest instrument, the chanteuse is backed by a dynamite band that includes producer David Baxter on guitar and Paul Reddick on harmonica. This is music that seeps into your soul with lines that linger long and don't let go until the last note is sung. Leveraging the muscle of Muscle Shoals, the mojo of Motown and the blues from Chicago, Low Fidelity is Levasseur's coming-out party; Toronto now has a new heroine of song. (Slim Chicken)
Exclaim!
By David Barnard - Nov 2008
This Toronto-based songstress surprised many with her strong 2006 debut, Not A Straight Line. That recording revealed Levasseur's musical heart: a place where soul, blues, country, folk, gospel, '60s-style pop and Motown all beat together. For Low Fidelity, Levasseur honed her compositional skills, called in a first-rate group of musical pals and with guitarist David Gavan Baxter, set about producing a terrific follow-up that exceeds the high expectations created by that first CD. What immediately jumps out is Levasseur's voice; she has the power to shout like Sister Aretha and the depth to croon like Irma Thomas. The ten songs flow together nicely while offering plenty of musical variety, although it's fair to say Southern soul and gospel are the primary genres represented this time. The lead track, "Help Me Over (To The Other Side)," co-written with fellow Sundowners Corin Raymond and Sean Cotton, righteously kicks things off, the joyous "Amen" bringing things full circle to close a most enjoyable set. (Slim Chicken)
the guelph record (online)
By Robert Reid - Jul 2007
Power vocalist: It's impossible to know where Toronto's Treasa Levasseur's big voice comes from, but she raised the roof and earned a standing ovation at the Lake Stage. She's a big talent on the rise.
The Toronto Star
By Greg Quill - Sep 2008
Treasa Levasseur - Low Fidelity (Slim Chicken Ent) 3 1/2 stars out of 4
Winnipeg-raised Levasseur is an exceptionally gifted singer-songwriter whose second album is a rich, wholly satisfying amalgam of original soul, blues and R&B confections that showcase her stunning voice and set her up - with help from primo session musicians like David Baxter and Derek Downham - for the big break. This is sophisticated, sassy adult music, with sexy hooks and raunchy licks.
Top Track - Low Fidelity, a defiant love-gone-wrong blues rocker.
Talk to me Babe
Amen
Treasa's new record - Low Fidelity (released Oct 2nd) - is
nominated for 3 Mapleblues awards:
Female Vocalist of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Album of the Year
You can support Treasa by voting online at www.mapleblues.ca
