Featured Artist for August 31: Suzanne Vega

From her early days as a performer in New York's Greenwich Village, to her rise to folk-pop diva status with classic recordings like Solitude Standing and Nine Objects of Desire, to her current standing as a singing poet laureate, Suzanne Vega has established herself as an artistic force over the past 25 years. While many may have doubted her staying power when she burst on the scene in the late 1980s (thanks in no small part to heavy MTV rotation for her smash single "Luka") she has continued to defy odds and delight audiences worldwide with her unique blend of poignant lyrics, haunting voice and simple but infectious melodies.

I was privileged to see Suzanne perform in at the Eric Harvie Theatre in Banff in March of this year, and she was truly at home in front of an audience in such an intimate venue. Her songs became an extension of her soul and enraptured all those who heard her. Her simple, sparse vocal stylings served to enhance the lyrics, interplaying perfectly with her acoustic guitar accompaniment. But, as she has shown so adeptly in recordings like 99.9F° she is equally comfortable with complex rhythms and intricate arrangements for her compositions.

On this week's show I will be featuring songs that span the entirety of Suzanne's extensive career, showcasing her uncanny, wry and introspective creations. I hope you will join me in celebrating a truly unique and extraordinary musical talent. And, as always, please share your feedback to help improve this and future episodes of Up All Night.