Sirens Continuing to Lure New Fans

March 1, 1997

Jane Sims, The London Free Press

The music soared from the trio, who stood side-by-side in the chancel of St. Paul’s Cathedral for a short lunchtime concert earlier this week, sounding like they had been singing together forever. Not just 3 months.

The trio, Sirens, is making a lot of noise after singing together for such a short time. Jo-Ann Lawton, Nora Galloway and Donna Creighton discovered quickly that while one is OK and two is company, three can be the best of all. Three can listen to each other and try out new musical ideas. Three can play off the others’ lyrical interpretations. Three can sometimes finish each others’ sentences.

I wish you could have heard the whoop Jo-Ann let out after the first rehearsal with Donna Galloway said. I kept it on tape somewhere. It’s so hilarious.

None of the three is a stranger to fine vocal performance. Lawton is a well-known singer and songwriter, who composes most of the songs for the trio. Galloway has performed across the country and has been a featured performer with Orchestra London. Creighton has made her mark locally in musical theatre, choral and solo work.

This musical collaboration began when Creighton was looking for a place to sing. She learned that Lawton, who she met briefly six years ago, was singing with Galloway and asked if she could try joining them.

Lawton agreed to try out before a scheduled Christmas concert at a downtown pub.

It was immediate, Creighton said of the chemistry of the group, which brings wonderful harmonies to a variety of music, including swing, jazz, blues and folk.

The blend is so good that my daughter, who has been listening to me sing all her life said, when she was listening to our demo tape, Mommy, I don’t know who is singing what, Creighton said.

The three have discovered that making music doesn’t just come from playing instruments and using vocal chords. They’ve become real friends.

Even at rehearsals we are a lot alike. So far, changes are made without any quarrel. If a change is suggested, you try it, Lawton said.

That fun extends to how they set up on stage. Take their explanation for why Galloway’s sturdy keyboard stand is a $12 ironing board.

It says we don’t iron, said Lawton.

Three women laughed. Since their fateful musical meeting, they have found steady work around the city. They are performing tonight with Fred Eaglesmith, they have a concert in Toronto on Sunday, and then they will perform at the London Central Library over the March break.

And at the end of March, they are going into a studio to record. It is moving with velocity, Creighton said.