Quotes
"Anna Gutmanis jump started her activism roots and gave the world a gift when she released "I Am Who I Am" with its very powerful message for equal rights and pride of who we are as human beings. Many people were like me and asked, "How can she top that one?" She surprises the world once again
and releases "Glimmer in the Dark" and every track is greater than the last. Anna and everyone who made this CD possible....you nailed it! As a producer of an LGBT radio show, it is artists like you that turn out to be a 'gift' to me in finding you and giving you a 'voice' on my radio show to share your story and put your wonderful music into the ears of my audience to enjoy. The best part.....I now call you my friend." -Tom Edmondson, Producer - The Tenth Voice 90.1FM KKFI Kansas City, Missouri USA
"I personally LOVE Anna’s new album "Glimmer In The Dark"! I hope it gleans the rewards/awards which in my opinion are justly deserved." -Anita Gibbons, Producer, "Women On Waves", JOY Melbourne
"In 2008 Canadian Anna Gutmanis released an anthem. Now, that’s a pretty bold statement, but it’s been over three years and it’s still riding high on the Outvoice charts. The song is "I Am Who I Am," and the lyrics proclaim just what you think they do. I've played it a number of times on my shows, and I try not to repeat many songs… Well, now she has a new release and I just want folks to know about it. It’s called "Glimmer in the Dark," and I already have a favorite song, called "Another Way Out," but then I always go for the queerest song on anyone’s album -JD Doyle, Queer Music Heritage KPFT-FM, Houston
"Fine production, strong, powerful yet clear vocals - CJKM Cheticamp NS
"The tunes are refreshing and have great energy" - CHOQ Montreal QC
"Great easy listening vibe" - CISM Montreal QC
"The tunes are fresh and catchy" - CJLX Belleville ON
"Fantastic production" - CKUW Winnipeg MB
"The production is solid and the title track is great" - CKMO Victoria BC
New Album - "Glimmer in the Dark"
- Review by "Captain CanCon" Jaimie Vernon
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- ‘Don’t Believe A Word I Say’ column
- Social media has been a boon not only for me as a reviewer, but independent artists looking for exposure that is now denied to them through traditional media. Ironically, it was Facebook that brought me to the attention of Anna Gutmanis – an artist that lives about 12 minutes from my house. ‘Glimmer In the Dark’ is a life’s work for the singer-songwriter keyboardist who lets us in to hear intimate audio snapshots of her life growing up over the course of 30 years. The album plays out like a musical version of the British coming-of-age documentaries ‘7 Up’. We get to experience, with her, the awkwardness of teen angst and (non) acceptance on “Another Way Out” to confronting the pressures of adulthood, parenthood, occupational burn-out, and other mid-life crises on “When I Get Out of Bed”, “Middle of The Line” and “The Rain” (the oldest composition on the disc). Gutmanis jockeys between musical styles as with her sultry mid-baritone and exceptional piano work. Songs like “Hello Again” and “First In Love” (featuring second vocalist Karen Dinardo) exude a playful and poignant Leonard Cohen cabaret breeziness while “People (Got To Get It Together)” finds Gutmanis channeling her best Mavis Staples inspirational gospel voice.
“You Won’t Be Sorry” and “In the Sun” both recall the music of the tropics – reggae for the former and Jimmy Buffett yacht Rock for the latter. Gutmanis is comfortable wearing all these hats. The production by Karen Kane along with the exceptional backing musicians – specifically the tasty guitar work of Wayne DeAdder – elevate this release from independent vanity project to seriously professional. And any album that features a singing appearance by a cat (“The Voice of Bliss”) is all good in my book.
- Review by Paul Anderson, The Entertainment Bank
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- December 1, 2012
- Indie artist Anna Gutmanis' album "Glimmer In The Dark" has been released for nearly a year (January 2012), but even so, it is still well deserving of attention. Gutmanis is a distinctive artist with excellent musicians backing her up, and the arrangements on this album are impressive.
The album begins with the track “First In Love”, which gave me a good sense of care in production quality that was taken for this recording. Anna plays a hook on the piano that reminds of the good old “Pretzel Logic” Steely Dan days. Her voice is deep and expressive, and her sound incorporates great harmonies in her arrangements. Karen Dinardo really blends well with Anna’s voice. Colleen Allen has a fine alto sax tone, one which is bright, but not abrasive. There are great sub-tones on the jazzy “Glimmer In The Dark”, and the vibe of “Moondance” comes across well with walking bass lines that are very effective, courtesy of Wayne DeAdder. Those chord changes are much hipper than “Moondance” btw.
Anna takes it to church on “People (Got To Get It Together)", which is a social wakeup call. The piano chords on the front are powerful. Terry Nash and Dajaun have a great organ/percussion breakdown on the transition. Anna sings with conviction and the background harmonies are tremendously soulful.
There is a wide range of styles on this CD, from blues and country ("Middle Of The Line"), to pop and rock. Wayne DeAdder is a chameleon on the guitar. Listeners will also find reggae and rock on "First In Love", on which DeAdder plays bass.
Reviewing “Glimmer In The Dark” was a bright spot in my day, and will impress any music lover who appreciates hearing the voice of experience, social consciousness, and outstanding music!
- Review by Gregg Shapiro, The Bay Area Reporter
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- "Falling for Lesbians", October 4, 2012
- "Glimmer in the Dark (Ban-Anna), by Canadian lesbian singer/songwriter Anna Gutmanis, is a 13-track disc featuring songs written over the course of almost 30 years. From politically-oriented numbers such as the call to arms "People (Got to Get it Together)," "Another Way Out" (about bullying), and the "out and proud" anthem "I Am Who I Am" to romantic tunes including "First in Love" and "Hello Again," cat-lover Gutmanis radiates with her musical mission. The album's most ambitious track, "Middle of the Line," features a blazing electric guitar solo, and sounds like something that Bonnie Raitt would cover."
- Review by Len Rogers
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- CD Review "Glimmer In The Dark" Review by: Len Rogers
- Review by BB, CJLY FM Nelson BC
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- Anna Gutmanis has a gorgeous deep voice, and her pop songs speak of love and coming out and people getting together. The CD has 13 tracks and they're all good to hear.
Reviews
- Ladies to jam and inspire at PrideFest
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- June 11th, 2010 5:39 am CT - Dustin Alexander Milwaukee Top News Examiner
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Link to Article
PrideFest is this weekend at Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee. The weather forecast is warm and the music promises to be even hotter.
The Examiner interviewed the following stars that will be appearing at PrideFest. From Indie, to folk and country rock, from coast to coast, each lady brings their own style to the live stage. The artist's name, where they're from as well as when and where they will appear at PrideFest is included.
Anna Gutmanis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Saturday 2:15 p.m. - PrideFest Rainbow Stage
Winning the 2009 Pride Song Award, Gutmanis will be doing a mini Pride tour this summer. Her music video for the film I Am Who I Am will be shown at the International GLBT Film Festival in Virginia on June 26th.
What brings fans to her shows? Gutmanis said, "I'd like to think it's the strength of my songs and voice. I think my songs are memorable.” The single Then Came You from her debut album is still getting airplay on Canadian commercial radio stations. Gutmanis is heading back into the studio next year with the hopes of recording an entirely new album. "I performed in the U.S. for the first time last year. It was a blast!” One of Gutmanis favorite artists is Patti LaBelle who will be playing the Miller Main Stage Saturday at 10 p.m.
- Music Industry News Network
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- "I Am Who I Am" Named "2009 Pride Song" at Pride In The Arts Awards March 23, 2010
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Link to Article
Canadian singer/songwriter Anna Gutmanis still can’t believe that her song "I Am Who I Am” won the "2009 Pride Song” category at the 6th Pride In The Arts Awards on March 21st. "I was in some pretty illustrious company and expected to cheer for Scott Free, Nick Granato, Sugarbeach or Shawn Thomas when they won the category”, says the musician. "I’m really humbled by this whole experience, and the depth of talent in our queer music community amazes me”.
Other PITA music award winners included Dan Manjovi’s "Somethin’s Comin’ My Way” for "2009 Fan Award Song”. The song is featured in the Oscar-winning film "Precious”.
Until now, Anna has been best-known for the single "Then Came You”, released on her eponymous 1989 debut album and still receiving airplay more than two decades later. She will be hitting U.S. and Canadian stages this summer, most notably for PrideFest Milwaukee, the world’s largest LGBT music festival.
The PITA awards show premiered Sunday March 21st on Rainbow World Radio, where it can be streamed until April 4th. For the full list of award winners, go to the Pride In The Arts website at http://www.prideinthearts.com/index.htm .