“If patience is a virtue, Danielle French is the Pope.

It's been eight long years since the Okotoks folk pop artist released her debut CD me, myself & i. The independently released album sold approximately 3,500 copies and helped French earn a spot on the 1997 Calgary Lilith Fair, accolades from artists such as Rita McNeil and Tom Cochrane, and gigs all across North America.

Five years ago, she headed back into a Winnipeg studio to record the follow-up.

And then... nothing. Nothing until tomorrow night, when French finally celerates the release of the long-awaited album Piece, witha preformance at the Big Secret Theatre as part of the closing night for the Solocentric Festival of Solo Performance Creation.

"I really believe everything happens for a reason," says French, charitably optimistic of the delay. "Obviously it's coming out now for a reason- I needed to learn in that period."

The main reason for the five-year delay was the common ailment affecting most of those pursuing a life in the arts- lack of funds.

Government grants she had been hoping for were rejected time and time again.

"In my frustration, I used to joke around with my brother 'What do I have to do, get Burton Cummings on my CD?"

Of course, the joke is no joke. French managed to rope the Canadian rock veteran into appearing on one Piece track, To the Death.

The rest of the album, which was eventually finished with the help of fans, friends and he fine folks at The Banff Centre, features an interesting collection of left-field folk that is oftentimes reminiscent of fellow-Canuck songwriter Veda Hille.

French says the direction her music has been taking since the tracks on Piece were recorded is even more experimental and eclectic. and, despite being excited her new record is finally out, she's eager to push forward with that new direction.

"I've already written the next album, so that's where my head's at right now, on the new material," she says.

"But I've got to give this a little time and promote this, and hopefully I can get a grant in the next two years."

French laughs slightly before adding "Rather than eight".”

Mike Bell, The Calgary Sun, Calgary, AB