Steph Cameron: Gold Dust Woman
This fresh cover of a Fleetwood Mac fave shows that the critically-acclaimed Saskatoon folk songstress is branching out from her solo and acoustic template. Her strong and pure voice remains the focus, and the fuller sound is pleasing.
By Kerry Doole
Steph Cameron - "Gold Dust Woman," (Pheromone Recordings): This Saskatoon-based singer/songwriter has released two albums that dazzled many critics yet never quite got the recognition they deserved. She returns with a new track, Cameron's first since the 2017 release of her Daybreak Over Jackson Street full-length.
A cover of the Stevie Nicks-penned Fleetwood Mac hit, it reportedly signals a new direction for Cameron, as it is her first fully accompanied outing (her earlier material was all solo and acoustic). A label press release terms this "a taste of what's to come" from the new songs she is working on in the studio.
Explaining her choice of cover, Cameron says "'Gold Dust Woman' is a powerful example of Stevie Nicks' ability to write elegant, spellbinding lyrics and melodies to use them to paint a song in unusual and mystical terms. I have always sung this song, and when the guitar came together for me; I knew I had to cover it."
Her strong and pure voice is rightfully placed front and centre here. Fluent guitar and vocal harmonies result in a full sound that reminds us of the beauty of the original while adding a freshness. It will be interesting to see how Cameron's stylistic change works out, but this is a promising start.
Cameron begins a 15-date tour of Ireland, the UK, and Europe with Twin Bandit on Jan. 18. Itinerary here
Links
Publicity: Erin Carroll, Cadence Music
