Sunday nights, Americans close to the Canadian border have a secret gem on their hands.
Nicholas Campbell stars as Vancouver Coroner Dominic DaVinci in the award-winning CBC crime drama, "DaVinci's Inquest." "DI" includes a talented ensemble cast of players who are, for the most part, unknown in the US. The show predates American forensic offerings like "CSI" and "Crossing Jordan," and has the awards to show for itself.
"DI" is loosely based on the life of former Vancouver Coroner (and current Vancouver Mayor) Larry Campbell. Campbell serves as consultant to the series. The show's first season (it's now in season six) is available on DVD north of the border, and can be had by American audiences through Amazon.ca.
The show has spawned a jazzy soundtrack album, "DaVinci's Inquest: The Sessions" on Stony Plain Records (and distributed by Warner Canada). The CD straddles the line between "chillout" and light jazz ever so tightly. Bookended by the opening and closing themes to "DI" by Tim McCauley, "Sessions" includes softer, more cerebral pieces by George Blondheim ("French Piano" and "Variations on Carmen" stand out here), and robust clips by Simon Kendall ("Gina" and "Blu Idea" are both gritty and have an urban jazz feel to them).
Other tunes by standouts like Maria Muldaur (here in a duet with Taj Mahal on "Soul of a Man"), Bocephus King & the Rigalattos and others round out the collection. It's a shame that "Sessions" was not released in the United States. If it had, I'm sure it would have added to the already growing cult appeal of "DI". If you are willing to go the extra step and check a Canadian site like Amazon.ca, you'll still be able to put "Sessions" into your music collection.
Unfortunately, those of us in warmer climes have only the "Sessions" CD and the 1st season DVD to whet our appetites for "DI" - at least for now.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Very cool Michael, thanks!