Sarah McLachlan is a singer/songwriter from Canada's East Coast.
She has released three albums as well as numerous live recordings and
singles. She currently lives in Vancouver, Canada which is where Nettwerk
Productions, her record company, is located.
1.2 Where and when was Sarah born?
Sarah was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on January 28th, 1968.
1.3 When did Sarah start singing?
Sarah started singing at 4 years. The first musical instrument she
learned to play was the ukelele (she was too small to play a full-sized
guitar).
1.4 Did Sarah take music lessons?
Yes. Sarah took classical piano, guitar, and voice lessons.
1.5 Does Sarah have any art training?
Yes. She spent one year at The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
1.6 Who does Sarah cite as musical influences?
Joan Baez, Peter Gabriel, Simon and Garfunkel, Kate Bush, Cat Stevens &
Joni Mitchell.
1.7 When and how did she get signed to Nettwerk?
Sarah was seventeen when she was discovered by Nettwerk Productions at her
first performance with her first band, October Game. She was
offered a contract then and there, but her parents wouldn't let her sign
and encouraged her to attend art school instead. Two years later Sarah
was once again approached by Nettwerk and she signed with them on
October 2nd, 1987.
1.8 When did Sarah sign to Arista?
She signed to Arista on December 1, 1988.
1.9 Did Sarah create Lilith Fair?
Yes. As a response to the male oriented Lollapalooza, Sarah founded the Lilith Fair in order to spotlight women's musical achievements. Besides being an enormous success where the singers could finally _meet_, the tour also raised over $700,000 it's inaugural summer (1997) and $850,000 in 1998 for national and local charities with $1.00 from each ticket sold being donated to a local charity. Next summer (1999) will be the festival's third and final year, but will make appearances across Europe and Australia! Keep checking lilithfair.com for lineups and tourdates :)
2. CATALOGUES AND LISTS OF SARAH McLACHLAN'S WORK
2.1 What albums has Sarah released?
Here is an abridged version of the Sarah discography based on the one
started by Terry McBride and updated and maintained by Cathy Barrett.
For the full collector's version, e-mail cathyb@nettwerk.com.
If you'd like, you can also download the September 25, 1998 discography (51k).
Album name / Catalogue number / Description
Touch (the black cover version) / NTCD 45 (Nettwerk)
Similar to the regular Touch album except for a different version of Vox
and Ben's Song as well as a different cover.
Touch (the regular version) / W2-30024 (Nettwerk)
The Canada-wide release of Sarah's first album.
Steaming CD Single / W2-3035 (Nettwerk)
The CD single of Steaming with a cover of Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill
recorded live at the Town Pump in Vancouver.
Solace / W2-30055 (Nettwerk)
The standard release of Sarah's second album. NOTE: The U.S. release
includes Wear Your Love Like Heaven which first appeared on Nettwerk's
Donovan compilation, Island of Circles.
The Path of Thorns (Terms) CD Single / W2-3056 (Nettwerk)
The Canadian release of the first released track from Solace. Includes
a violin mix of Shelter.
The Path of Thorns (Terms) / Promo-only ASCD-2423 (Arista)
The American demo release of The Path of Thorns. Only includes two
versions of the song: a radio edit and the album version.
Into The Fire CD Single / W2-3063 (Nettwerk)
The Canadian release of the "Why is she all covered in mud?" song (as my
mom put it after seeing the video). Includes two songs from a CBC
session from 1991. NOTE: There is a copy of the entire program
available on CD, but since the closure of the CBC commercial recording
department in 1992 (budget cuts), it has only been available in used CD
bins. Don't bug Nettwerk 'cause they don't own the rights to the
recording. Good luck finding it.
Into the Fire Promo Only / ASCD-2402 (Arista)
The American demo release of Into the Fire. Contains three re-mixes of
Into the Fire including the elusive John Fryer Mix.
Drawn to the Rhythm CD Single / W2-3065 (Nettwerk)
The last single from Solace. It also contains a haunting rendition of
Gloomy Sunday. Hide the razor blades if you're hearing it for the first
time :).
Vox CD Single / W2-3070 (Nettwerk)
The release date for this is a little weird. Although the song is from
Touch, this disc came out after Solace was released. This is evident by
the fact that Into the Fire is on it as well.
Live / W2-6313 (Nettwerk)
A limited-edition recording of Sarah live at Toronto's Harbourfront at
the end of the Solace tour in 1990. NOTE: Although it's a limited-
edition, it's not really very limited. You can find copies all over the
place in Canada.
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy / W2-30081 (Nettwerk)
The Canadian general release of Sarah's third album.
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Japanese release) / BVCA638 (Arista)
The Japanese release which includes the Joni Mitchell song Blue. The
release of this album in Japan was about four or five moons before the
Good Enough CD Single with Blue.
Possession CD Single / W2-6319 (Nettwerk)
The first Canadian CD single release from FTE. This single was released
in Canada before the album. Contains a REALLY hard re-mix of Possession
and a version of Fear.
Hold On CD Single / W2-3078 (Nettwerk)
The second release from FTE. Contains a re-mix of Hold On and an
acoustic demo of Mary (which is also available on the Freedom Sessions).
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Promo Only / NTPRO-02 (Nettwerk)
A not available anywhere edited radio version of FTE and a song from
Delerium, "Incantation". NOTE: The only place you will find this is in
a used CD bin or by raiding a radio station.
Good Enough CD Single / W2-3081 (Nettwerk)
The third release from FTE. Contains three versions of Good Enough and
Sarah's version of Joni Mitchell's Blue.
Good Enough CD Single / 07822-12731-2 (Arista)
Pretty similar to the Canadian release. One major difference is the
fact that the radio edit has been changed from "...after all the
bullshit..." to "...after all the bull......". Kinda funny to
hear actually.
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Live) Promo Only / ASCD-2723 (Arista)
A special in-store play sampler that is very rare. Contains four songs
from the April 94 Pay Per View special shown in Canada: Good Enough, a
cool, bluesy version of Elsewhere, an orgasmic version of Ice Cream (if
you have seen the FTE tour, you know what I mean :), and Mary. It also
contains the album versions of Possession, Vox and The Path of Thorns
(Terms).
The Freedom Sessions / W2-6321 (Nettwerk)
A nine track release based mainly on the source tapes made during the
recording of FTE and the April 94 PPV special. Includes a Sarah version
of Ol' 55 by Tom Waits. NOTE: Also includes a multimedia
interactive presentation of pictures and sound clips of Sarah during the
FTE tour, her trip to Thailand and Cambodia, and video clips and sound
samples from FTE, Solace and Touch.
Rarities, B-Sides And Other Stuff / W2-30105 (Nettwerk)
A 13 track release which compiles Sarah's harder to find tracks from deleted
singles, soundtracks, and promo only releases. Includes dance mixes of "Fear"
and "Possession", live tracks, and Sarah's guest vocalist appearance on
Manufacture's "As The End Draws Near". Please note that this CD also includes
a multimedia track which is not listed or ID's on the CD. The multimedia
presentation includes the full length video of "I Will Remember You", a
complete discography, and information about Sarah's fan club, murmurs.
Surfacing / W-30016 (Nettwerk)
The Canadian general release of Sarah's fourth album.
2.2 What other recordings has Sarah been involved with or appeared on?
Here is a brief list of recordings Sarah has worked on or had songs on. This includes movie soundtracks, other bands' projects, and compilations.
Album name / Reference number / Description
Nettwerk Sound Sampler II / NTCD-30035 (Nettwerk) 1988
The album version of Out of the Shadows.
Manufacture / Terrorvision / (Nettwerk) 1988
Sarah sings backup on As the End Draws Near.
Nettwerk Sound Sampler III / W2-30048 (Nettwerk) 1990
What Lies Beyond is the second track on this release. NOTE: This
recording is not available on any other release.
Moev / Head Down / (Nettwerk) 1990
Sang back vocals on several songs.
Balloon / Gravity / (RCA) 1992
Sarah worked as backup on Tightrope Walker while recording Solace in
New Orleans.
Island of Circles (Donovan tribute album) / (Nettwerk) 1992
Sarah's version of Wear Your Love Like Heaven plus the "lite and
fluffy" vocals on Barabajagal.
No Alternative / (Arista) 1993
Early mix of Hold On. Accompanying video also available.
Blue Rodeo / Five Days in July (WEA) 1993
Sarah sang backups on 4 tracks and plays piano* on two of them. Track
listing: What Is This Love/ Dark Angel*/ Know Where You Go/ Tell Me
Your Dream*.
Upfront! (Canadians live from Mountain Stage) / (BMG) 1994
Live version of Shelter from Mountain Stage, a weekly, two hour live
performance radio program.
Kumbaya / (Sony) 1994
Includes piano version of Good Enough, which can be found on the single
from Nettwerk.
Stephen Fearing / The Assassin's Apprentice (Sony) 1994
Track listing: Expectations
Miracle on 34th Street soundtrack / (Fox) 1994
Sarah covers Gordon Lightfoot's Song for a Winter's Night. Unfortunately
the song was not used in the movie.
Boys On The Side soundtrack / 1995
Sarah covers Tom Waits' Ol' 55. This version is available on the
Freedom Sessions.
Lit From Within / (Nettwerk) 1995
Good Enough appears on this benefit CD for rape crisis centers in Canada.
In Between Dances / (Attic) 1995
Good Enough appears on this benefit CD for breast cancer research centers.
The Brothers McMullen / (Unforscene/Nettwerk) 1995
I Will Remember You appears on this soundtrack.
A Testimonial Dinner / (Thirsty Ear) 1995
Sarah's version of Dear God appears on this XTC tribute album.
Wild Strawberries / Heroine (Nettwerk) 1995
Sarah plays electric and acoustic guitar on two songs. Track listing: I Don't
Want To Think About It / Careful.
As well, most of Sarah's band from the FTE tour play on the album.
Decadence Box Set / (Nettwerk) 1995
Full Of Grace appears on this set as well as the following tracks: Vox
(extended remix) / Path Of Thorns (Terms) / Hold On (Chris Shaw remix).
There is also a lot of multimedia stuff on this disc set featuring rare
interview footage and photos.
Junkhouse / Birthday Boy (Sony) 1995
Sarah sings backup vocals on the song Burned Out Car.
Bed Of Roses / (BMG) 1996
Ice Cream appears on the soundtrack to the movie. It is the same version
that appears on Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.
ginger / Far Out (Nettwerk USA 1995)
Sarah lends her backup vocals to the song Solid Ground on the U.S. version
of the album.
Pine Ridge: Songs For Leonard Peltier (Warner Music Canada 1996)
Sarah contributed Unchained Melody to this compilation.
Delerium / Karma (Nettwerk)
Sarah sings vocals on one song, Silence.
2.3 What videos has Sarah made?
This videography was compiled and composed by Julie Soebekti
(julie@toltec.com). Everything was and is subject to her
interpretation. She has tried to be as unbiased and unopinionated as
possible, but hey, that's tough to do sometimes.
Ben's song
Directed by: Sarah McLachlan, David Kershaw, John Hautman
Year released: 1989
Black and white.
Description: In this video Sarah is playing the piano in a large, white
room (then again the video is in black and white so the room can
actually be a light pink. I'm not quite sure.) and Dave Kershaw is
playing a bass.
Description: Unlike her other videos in a few ways, perhaps
stylistically the most, this light-hearted video has Sarah (with short
hair) singing "Vox" while falling water and flowers are superimposed
over her. CUT TO: Sarah on top of a rock and at the end she throws
flowers into the water.
Vox (American Version)
Directed by: Michelle Mahrer
Year released: 1989
Black and white.
Description: Imagine, Sarah singing and playing guitar in a long black
dress in the middle of the desert. It's hot, she cools off by getting
wet.
Description: A torch singer in a cabaret night club, Sarah sings while
the club's patrons get to know each other. Enter the femme fatale and
some of the female patrons begin to get jealous. Like the song title
says, things start steaming.
Dave Kershaw as the bartender.
Path Of Thorns (Terms)
Directed by: Philip Cates
Year released: 1991
Colour.
Description: Two dancers, a man and a woman, perform a tormented pas-
de-deux, intercut with Sarah singing naked in the shadows. Simple and
stark, the video's blue tone accentuates the song's mood.
When this video was first aired it generated quite a bit of controversy,
but I have to agree with Sarah in saying that her nude appearance in the
video is "a very quiet and honest way to be."
Description: Running along the theme of birth and rebirth, Sarah sings
naked in the mud (UBC mud, might I add). In the video Sarah also runs
through the forest in a flowery, summer dress, and gets washed up in a
waterfall. Blue and orange tones.
In a MuchMusic interview Sarah mentions that shooting this video was not
that great for her skin, as it would appear to be. The mud was taken
from the roadside at the University of British Columbia and was filled
with gravel and rocks. On the more positive side, this video was
nominated for a Juno. There's two versions of this video (I'm guessing
American and Canadian versions). The pix are the same but the
accompanying soundtracks differ. One is the album version (Canadian)
and the other, the John Fryer mix (American version).
Description: A group of children go to the beach to play, sing and
party by a big bonfire. One boy goes off on his own and encounters a
darker side of the idyllic ocean.
Great cinematography and the images are fantastic.
Description: Female archetypes. Sarah hangs on to a limp man, Sarah
wrapped in gauze, swings on a pendulum. The video is full of biblical
and mythical imagery.
Once again wonderful cinematography. Makes you wonder why Sarah doesn't
direct more of her own videos. Some of Sarah's friends are in the
video. Look out for Ash Sood as Adam and Brian Minato as well. The
limp guy that she's holding onto is actually Tony Pantages, the director
of "Hold On". This video also won two Canadian Music Video awards (Best
Female and Best Adult Contemporary).
Possession (American Version)
Directed by: Julie Hermelin
Year released: 1994
Colour.
Description: Sarah and the band are playing in a beautiful theatre.
The premise of the video is that we are actually watching a scratched up
film of the performance, perhaps emphasizing the voyeur/idolatry angle
of the song.
Description: Looks quite a bit like REM's "Losing my Religion" in
lighting and design. In the video, different people perform various
acts of frustration: a man is blindfolded and trying to pry his gloved
hands apart, a young cherubic, Pan-type boy comes and soothes his pain;
a woman furiously paces back and forth. Meanwhile two people perform a
sensual ballet on a single trapeze.
Shot in Montreal, P.Q.
Good Enough
Directed by: Kharen Hill
Year released: 1994
Black and White (colour tinted).
Description: A young girl escapes her abusive home life with the help
of a girlfriend. Her mother also finds some refuge and peace. Features
Sarah and the band in black and white clips.
Description: Rehashing of the Canadian version of the video. The cuts
are faster and the whole video has a greater sense of tortured urgency.
There are more shots of the trapeze artists and Sarah can actually be
seen standing with the trapeze artists behind her.
Description: A Nettwerk video compilation, this videocassette includes
the "Path of Thorns(Terms)" and "Ben's Song" videos.
No Alternative (Polygram Video 800630461-3)
Year released: 1994
Description: This video is a companion to the "No Alternative" CD. The
Sarah portion of the tape is a short film(directed by: Nick Gomez )
using the "No Alternative" version of "Hold On." The short film has a
Halloween theme. Sarah does not appear in the video.
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy: Live (Nettwerk W5-006)
Year released: 1994
Colour.
Description: Filmed in Montreal at Le Theatre Olympia during the FTE
tour and intercut with an interview session held at Pierre Marchand's
Studio Nomade (Wild Sky Studios), in April, 1994. This video was first
aired on T.V. as a pay-per-view special. Some of the songs seen in the
Wild Sky session are featured in "The Freedom Sessions" as well as the
Arista "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Live)" Arista Promo (see discography).
Songs included are: "Ice Cream", "Plenty", "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy",
"I Will Not Forget You", "Ol' 55", and a rollicking gospel rendition of
"Mary".
Video Collection: 1989-1994 (Nettwerk W5-007)
Year released: 1995
Colour and B&W.
Description: A compilation of all of Sarah's videos (Canadian and U.S.
versions)
Track Listing:
Vox (Cdn. Version)
Steaming
Ben's Song
Vox (U.S. Version)
Path Of Thorns (Terms)
Into The Fire
Drawn to The Rhythm
Possession (Cdn. version)
Hold On
Good Enough
Possession (U.S. Version)
(The U.S. Version of Hold On appears as an untitled, hidden video at the end.)
2.4 Which videos did Sarah direct?
Sarah directed Drawn To The Rhythm, the Canadian version of
Possession, and she co-directed Ben's Song.
3. TOUR INFORMATION
3.1 Does Sarah Tour?
Yes, she sure does. For current tour dates/appearances, etc. visit Sarah's
official Web site: www.sarahmclachlan.com
3.2 Tour Reviews
Way to plug my own page! :) The Sarah McLachlan Tour Archive is an ongoing project to archive setlists and reviews for all of Sarah McLachlan's concerts and other media performances. Also, Amelia runs the Lilith Fair Reviews Archive which she started in Summer 1997. Go look at it, it's beautiful :)
3.3 Archived Concerts
I guess not really "tour information" but I think you'll like it anyway :) L.A. Live has the Sarah portion of a 1996 Lilith Fair archived in Real Audio format. And! the entire (I think 1997) Lilith Fair (Sarah's portion starts at 5:00:00) from broadcast.com. (there is alot of obnoxious talking in parts though).
4. FOR MORE INFORMATION...
4.1 Where can I write to Sarah?
Letters to Sarah may be sent c/o Nettwerk productions. The address is:
No, she doesn't have a personal address, but you can send e-mail via Nettwerk
at: info@nettwerk.com
4.3 Where can I find stuff (photos, lyrics, sound samples, etc.) which
I can download?
You can find stuff about Sarah at her Web site. Its URL
is: http://www.sarahmclachlan.com. You can also find lots of stuff on various fan web pages. For my recommended links, see section 4.7
4.4 Does Sarah have a fan club?
Yes. It's called murmurs. Membership is $25 for North American members / $30
outside N. America. The fan club offers 3 colour newsletters per year and a
gift sent every December. Contact Nettwerk by mail, phone, or e-mail
murmurs@nettwerk.com to subscribe or to get more information.
Yes. The mailing list is called fumbling-towards-ecstasy. To subscribe
send mail to majordomo@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au with "subscribe
fumbling-towards-ecstasy" (to receive messages as loose mail) or "subscribe fte-digest" (for the digest version) in the body of the message. You will
receive an e-mail asking you to authenticate your subscription request. Please note, however, that this list generates an amazing amount of traffic (upwards 150 messages a day) with lots of BST, especially when nothing new "in Sarah land" is occuring. :)
The fte-list homepage (managed by Julian Dunn) contains lots more information.
4.6.1 Does the FTE list have a FAQ?
Yes. You will be sent the FAQ when you join the list.
Darrell Ottery added lots of relevant information to FTE-list FAQ, resulting in a must read if you are going to join the list :)
As of the writing of this FAQ she is a pecto-ovo-lacto vegetarian. In other
words, she eats fish, dairy and egg products.
5.3 Does Sarah have any pets?
Yes, she has a black Labrador (Rex) and 2 cats (Simba and Shayla).
6. MERCHANDISE, ETC.
6.1 Are Sarah's songs available as sheet music?
Yes. The Sarah McLachlan Songbook is a 168 page book with the piano
music and guitar tablatures for the following songs:
Ben's Song / Vox / Drawn to the Rhythm / The Path of Thorns / I Will not Forget You / Lost / Possession (piano vers.) / Wait / Good Enough / Circle / Elsewhere / Mary / Hold On / Ice / Ice Cream / Fear / Plenty / Fumbling
Towards Ecstasy.
Also includes colour photos, drawings and lyrics. It
is published in North America by the Hal Leonard Company and is
available in music stores are from Nettwerk directly.
A songbook for Surfacing was released early in '98.
6.2 Where can I buy Sarah merchandise and/or receive a mail order
catalogue?
or...sarah cd's at musicblvd.com. um, erica's trying to sell you something :)
7. MISCELLANY
7.1 Who was in Sarah's touring band for the Lilith Fair and Surfacing tours?
The band members are Vincent Jones (piano, organ, vocals), Ashwin Sood
(drums, vocals), David Sinclair (guitar), Sean Ashby (guitar,
lapsteel), Brian Minato (bass), and Camille Henderson (vocals).
7.2 Who was in Sarah's touring band for the Fumbling... tour?
The band members were David Kershaw (piano, organ, vocals), Ashwin Sood
(drums, vocals), David Sinclair (guitar), Luke Doucet (guitar,
lapsteel), Brian Minato (bass), and Camille Henderson (vocals).
7.3 Who was in Sarah's touring band for the Solace tour?
The band members were David Kershaw (piano, organ, vocals), Ashwin Sood
(drums, vocals), Brian Minato (bass), Steven Nikleva (guitar), and
Kimberly Linekin (vocals).
7.4 Who was in Sarah's touring band for the Touch tour?
The band members were Steven Nikleva (guitar), Sherry Leigh (drums),
Jeff Sawatsky (bass), and Darren Phillips (keyboards).
7.5 When did Sarah go to Thailand and Cambodia and why?
Sarah was invited to go there in Sept. 92 with World Vision and Terry
David Mulligan of Much Music to make a documentary focusing on poverty,
hunger and child prostitution in that region. The documentary was
broadcast in Canada during a fund-raising campaign.
7.6 When did Sarah sing at the Vatican's Christmas concert?
Sarah sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem" at the Vatican's Christmas Concert
on December 14, 1994. Yes, she did meet the Pope at a gala dinner the
night before the concert.
7.7 What songs by other songwriters has Sarah recorded?
So far Sarah has recorded Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel, Blue by Joni
Mitchell, Gloomy Sunday by S. Lewis/R. Seress, Song for a Winter's Night
by Gordon Lightfoot, Ol' 55 by Tom Waits, Dear God by XTC, Unchained Melody
by the Righteous Brothers and Wear Your Love Like Heaven by Donovan. She
has played many others live, too.
7.8 Where can I get help if I have a problem with the Freedom Sessions,
B-Sides and Rarities, or Surfacing enhanced CDs?
Contact Nettwerk by e-mail (info@nettwerk.com) for the Enhanced CD FAQ. It
answers all the questions they've had so far from people who've had any
problems running the CD-ROM tracks on their computers. You can also find the
FAQ on Nettmedia's web pages: www.nettmedia.com.
The original FAQ was written by Dwayne "Duey" Bursey and Cathy Barrett
at the Nettwerk offices in January and February '95. This current
version was updated November '97 by Cathy Barrett. See section 8.2 for
more details.
A special thanks to Terry McBride, Crystal Heald, Julie Soebekti and
Melody Teodoro for all the information and confirmations they've
provided.
Please e-mail any corrections, additions, or suggestions to the
address below:
8.2 What is the version history of this FAQ? (Yea, it's not a really a
Sarah question, but where else is it going to go?)
Version 1.0 Initial construction of the document during a wet
afternoon at Nettwerk.
Version 1.1 Added Julie Soebekti's
Videography to section 2.4. Updated section 3.1 (tour schedule).
Version 1.2 Added info. to section 2.1 (discography) and 2.4 (videography).
Updated section 3.1 (tour schedule) and 7.7. Updated Nettwerk's e-mail address
and WWW URL.
Version 1.3 Added info. to section 2.1 (discography). Updated sections 2.3,
3.1 (tour schedule), 4.3, 5.3 and 7.7. Deleted section 4.7.
Version 2.0 Revised section 2.1 (discography). Updated sections 2.2, 3.1
(tour schedule), 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 7.6.
Version 2.1 Added info. to section 7. Updated sections 2.1, 3.1, and 4.4.
Deleted section 2.3.
Version 2.2 Updated and added info. to section 2.3. Updated sections 3.1, 4.4,
5.2, 6.1, 7.1 and 7.8. Deleted section 7.9.
Version 2.3 Added info. to section 2.3. Updated section 4.1.
This document is Copyright (c) 1998 by Cathy Barrett / Nettwerk
Productions.
It may be freely distributed as long as no fee is charged and providing
the authors' names and this notice remains intact.
