Shadows Wake Me is the first studio album by Canadian singer Damhnait Doyle, released in 1996 (see 1996 in music) on the indie label Latitude Records, then later EMI Music Canada. The album was produced by guitarist Ken Myhr, who previously worked with such artists as Jane Siberry and Cowboy Junkies. Although a novice songwriter, Doyle co-wrote many songs on the album, some with Myhr, and others with Chris Tait, Tim Welch, David Gray, and Anne Bourne.(April 1996). "Luck lends its hand to Damhnait Doyle", Words & Music 3 (4): 5.
Doyle said in interviews that her home province of Newfoundland had a major influence: "Newfoundland has a lot to do with where my writing comes from and also the kind of person I am, my values and how I assert myself. It ties in with nature, the sea, folklore tales and the people surrounding me."
Music critics compared her vocal style to that of Sarah McLachlan,Jennings, Nicholas (April 8, 1996). "Shadows Wake Me", Maclean's 109 (15): 68. with one critic noting the album "fits nicely between ethereal Sarah McLachlan and angry Alanis Morissette."(March 12, 1997). "Showcase", Austin American-Statesman, p. 16.
The album charted on The Record's adult contemporary music chart.LeBlanc, Larry (March 1, 1997). "BDS data show CanCon suffers", Billboard 109 (9): 43. Critic Greg Burliuk of the Kingston Whig-Standard named it one of his top-ten favourite albums of the year, referring to Doyle as "the latest musical treasure from Newfoundland".(December 14, 1996). "Rock writers choose year's top 10 albums: Tragically Hip, Beck, Los Lobos among favorites of writers for Southam papers, the Toronto Star", Ottawa Citizen, p. H2.
Following the album's success, she was nominated for a Juno Award in 1997 for Best New Solo Artist."Juno Awards: artist summary", Juno Awards database. Retrieved August 14, 2010. She also received five East Coast Music Award nominations related to the album, but won none.Bliss, Karen (May–June 2003). "Damhnait Doyle", Canadian Musician 25 (3): 38.
Track listing "A List of Things" (3:15) "Nothing Like the Truth" (3:45) "Las Vegas" (4:50) "Mystery to Me" (3:02) "Signal Hill" (4:07) "Shoreline" (5:17) "Whatever You Need" (3:07) "Sunday Mornings" (3:13) "Why" (3:38) "Jumping the Shadows" (2:59) "Please, Please Call" (3:48) "As I Roved Out" (5:05)
References