CD Reviews
Recommended listening selected by Dr. Feelgood and Blues Doctor Julie Hill, alternating producer/hosts of Lowdown 2 Uptown, Wednesdays 8 to 10 pm, on ckln 88.1 fm in Toronto, or live at www.ckln.fm. Toronto Blues Society
"...by far one of the most
natural, wonderful talents that I've come across in a long, long time..."
Jeff Healey, June 30 2005"
Click here for another quote from Jeff Healey, Dec. 30, 2005
"...Elyssa Mahoney is one of the most promissing young talents in the
country."
Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band) June 16, 2006
"... le cd d’Elyssa Mahoney. Du bon blues familial pour tous les âges. Gâtez-vous cette semaine en achetant un CD de blues" (Sylvain Chartrand, DJ, www.live365.com and www.lenetblues.com , Feb. 12, 2006)
"Now the petite 12 year old with the wonderfully big voice and growing reputation in the blues arena has added an album to her credits... this recording debut promisses future greatness" Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen, Nov. 13, 2005.
"If you’ve ever had the
pleasure of seeing the young singer/performer live, then you won’t be that surprised
at how good this collection of 13 invigorating, yet seamless tracks is, and which, in
essence, is simply an extension of her energetic stage presence." Jean-Pierre
Allard
Nepean Weekender (Sept. 15, 2005) and the Barrhaven Weekender (Sept. 2005)
"Mahoney is easily a better singer than half the seasoned vets who release this kind of music..." James Hayashi-Tennant, 701.com (Mississauga)
"My favorite song on this CD is definitely the title track, ‘Try To See Me Like That’ – vocal styling simply beyond her young years shows that Elyssa has arrived!" Mike Graham, for OB Scene, Fall 2005 (Ottawa Blues Society)
"I expected to have to make concessions on the "tightness" of the album based on your age, and for that I apologize. Your CD can stand up against anyone's, regardless of age!!!" Diana Thibodeau, Oct. 10, 2005
"Try To See Me Like That ... is a remarkable album, one that offers glimpses of how promissing the future bodes for this exciting new artist". Jean-Pierre Allard, freelance journalist, Nepean Weekender, Sept. 15, 2005. Barrhaven Weekender Sept. 2005.
"Try To
See Me Like That" – Elyssa Mahoney
Independent
Ottawa Blues
Society, OBScene, Fall 2005
Reviewed by Mike Graham
A wonderful debut CD from a very talented young lady who has rapidly matured onto the
Ottawa Blues Scene! This CD will, no doubt, accelerate Elyssa’s progression down the
‘blues highway’ and expose her talents across Canada and beyond. Elyssa is
backed up by the extremely fine instrumental talents of Pat Carey (saxophone); Garth Vogan
(bass); Terry Martel (drums); Michael Fonfara (keyboards, backup vocals); and Steve
Grisbrook (acoustic and rhythm guitar) along with a number of special guests, including
Jeff Healey, Jimmy Bowskill, Chuck Jackson and Virgil Scott.
The opening track, ‘Hot Desert Sun’, is an original and demonstrates a mix of Elyssa’s melodic voice and her ‘raunchy’ side, augmented by the guitar stylings of Jeff Healey. Then she takes on a Marcia Ball classic with ‘Louella’, an up-tempo, boogie-woogie number, with Jimmy Bowskill on guitar ... a real highlight! She shows her wide vocal range on the next two tracks – ‘Hold on I’m Comin’, a duet with Chuck Jackson, and a beautiful rendition of Randy Newman’s ‘Lousiana 1927'.
My favorite song on this CD is definitely the title track, ‘Try To See Me Like That’ – vocal styling simply beyond her young years shows that Elyssa has arrived! Elyssa and the band also perform a fine interpretation of ‘Blues Power’, penned by none other than Messrs Russell & Clapton! But it doesn’t end there. Further proof of Elyssa’s vocal talents are provided on her rockin’ rendition of ‘Mojo Boogie’ (again with Jimmy Bowskill) and the very unique blues take on ‘Eleanor Rigby’, where Elyssa and the band take the listener on a "bluesy, jazzy, progressive musical ride"! Elyssa also belts out strong covers of ‘People Get Ready’, ‘Chain of Fools’, ‘Rescue Me’, ‘Mockingbird’, and the late Dusty Springfield’s ‘Son of a Preacher Man’.
Ottawa is blessed with fine talented blues musicians and singers, and Elyssa’s debut CD is another fine example of how lucky we are to have the talent we have in Ottawa!!!
EASY TRYING TO SEE ELYSSA
MAHONEY LIKE SHE IS
by Jean-Pierre Allard
Nepean Weekender (Sept. 15, 2005) and the Barrhaven Weekender (Sept. 2005)
I usually find it hard, if not frustrating, to listen to an album made up of predominantly cover versions, since more often than not, the various genres simply do not mesh together and leave me guessing as to the artist’s true nature.
But that was before I heard Ottawa-born young prodigy Elyssa Mahoney’s debut album, Try To See Me Like That. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing the young singer/performer live, then you won’t be that surprised at how good this collection of 13 invigorating, yet seamless tracks is, and which, in essence, is simply an extension of her energetic stage presence.
Elyssa’s been wowing her audience for nearly eight years now, ever since she took the stage at the Perth Fair at the tender age of four and a half and then to pursue six years of her own shows at Ottawa’s Central Canada Exhibition. The six-time Kiwanis Music Festival winner and three-time Quebec/Ontario Youth Music Festival winner sounds like anything but a 12-year old on this recording, which contains two original compositions and an assortment of old classics, including the unique and totally disarming jazzy version of McCartney’s Eleanor Rigby, as well as six other R&B tunes from the 1960s.
Blues and jazz musician Jeff Healey even lends a helping hand on four numbers, leaving his trademark soft guitar picking on the title track, a song written by Elyssa with her former Simply Wow band mates when she was all of 10. And Chuck Jackson from the Downchild Blues Band plays harmonica and backing vocals while doing a duet with Elyssa on the great 1960s Sam and Dave hit Hold On, I’m Comin’.
Throughout, her sweet soulful voice sounds more like that of a seasoned performer than of a young lady who is still a year away from becoming a teenager.
On that basis alone, it is a remarkable album, one that offers glimpses of how well the future bodes for this exciting new artist. Especially if she continues churning out more originals that are cut in the same vein as that of the album’s Try To See Me Like That and Hot Desert Sun.
The gem though is her gut-wrenching rendition of Randy Newman’s Louisiana 1927, a song about the great flood from 78 years ago. She sings it so plaintively that one could easily assume that she recorded it in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and not a few weeks before, as she did.
CD release parties are currently planned for September 25th in Toronto at Roc’n Doc’s and October 6th in Ottawa at Tucson’s. It is available on-line at www.iridescentmusic.ca, and at Elyssa’s sponsors’ retail locations (see www.elyssamahoney.ca). Watch for it also at Toronto’s Sam The Record Man and Ottawa’s three CD Warehouse locations.
I suspect that we’ll be hearing more and more about Elyssa Mahoney as she continues evolving into her own.
For the girl’s got a sure ticket to ride.
Jean-Pierre Allard, Freelance Journalist
Ottawa. Ontario
Mature, emotional music pours out of young singer
Byron Pascoe and
Paul Telner
Nepean This Week, October 7, 2005
www.nepeanthisweek.com
Last summer an eleven-year old girl was featured in these pages for her fifth year of consecutive appearances at The Ex. Elyssa Mahoney has come a long way since. She’s releasing her latest album, and has a community of fans to thank for their continued support.
In 2003, Elyssa sang with an Ottawa-based musical group, Simply WOW! Since her solo career began, she has performed with live accompaniment; either solo instrument such as piano or a band composed of seasoned adult musicians.
Her selection of songs includes originals as well as a repertoire of blues, jazz, R&B, soul, Motown, early classic rock, pop, musical theatre and classical songs in both French and English. For a singer of any age, Elyssa has a strong and emotion-filled voice that is extremely well-trained and mature.
Local venues of performance include Bluesfest, The Ex, Tulip Festival, Winterlude, The Italian Festival, Centrepointe Theatre, Rainbow Bistro, Château Cartier, University of Ottawa and Tuscon’s Restaurant (2440 Bank Street) where her CD release party is taking place on Thursday, October 6 at 8pm.
"Try To See Me Like That" is the name of her album. "I chose the pieces because they were my favourite songs and styles from some of my favourite artists. It was hard to pick only ten to thirteen to make up the album!" Another important factor for Elyssa when choosing songs is the story that they tell. She tries to select songs that both she and others will be able to relate to, thus giving her performance further credibility.
A member of the Songwriters Association of Canada, Elyssa wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music for two of the albums songs, Hot Desert Sun and Try To See Me Like That. "I am most proud of the outcome of the originals. They were written two years ago and I wanted to give them a more modern flare, a little more of a ‘pop’ sound. We experimented with a few ideas in the recording studio and came up with a very stylish modern groove that I’m really happy with."
The remainder of the album are cover pieces such as Eric Clapton and BB King’s rendition of Hold On I'm Comin’. "I've really enjoyed performing the Aretha Franklin style of Chain Of Fools and JB Lenoir’s Mojo Boogie. There’s also the well-known Beatles tune, Eleanor Rigby. We do it in our own jazzy way, but it was originally inspired by Aretha’s way. One of the duets, Mockingbird, was a brand new song for me but I chose it because I wanted to do some harmonies and have fun with a tune that was traditionally known as a lullaby. We did it with the James Taylor / Carly Simon rendition in mind."
Randy Newman’s Louisiana 1927 is the disc’s fourth number. The song is about the great flood on the Mississippi and throughout the state of Louisiana 78 years ago. The album was completed just days before Katrina attacked the Golf Coast. Elyssa performed in Port Credit’s Southside Shuffle in early September alongside famous New Orleans musicians, including Johnny Pennino. The sax player had days earlier spent time on the rooftop of his elderly mother's house waiting to be rescued.
One of the greatest challenges of this disc was assembling all the pieces of the puzzle, from the mixing and mastering, to the legalities and artwork. "I was here in Ottawa, the photographer was in Montreal, the photo shoot was in Mont Tremblant, and the producers and the studios were in Toronto. We had the help of my producers Pat Carey, Chuck Jackson and Michael Fonfara. The photographer, Robert Lalancette, was wonderful to work with, even over the distance. He gave my CD cover such a classy look. I'm very happy with the outcome and this has been an amazing experience for us all."
One of Elyssa’s biggest fans is the legendary Jeff Healey. When Healey spoke to Nepean This Week promoting his January 2005 tour stop at Centrepointe Theatre, he reflected on their New Year’s Eve show together in Barrie, Ontario. "Elyssa Mahoney is a soul beyond her years and did a great job. She knows how to lead the band, and it’s not corny or cutesy."
"Try To See me Like That" features Healey as a special guest playing guitar on Hot Desert Sun, Hold On I'm Comin', Blues Power and the title track. Other guest appearances on the album include guitarist Jimmy Bowskill and Chuck Jackson and Virgil Scott who contributed their voices.
Other contributors to Elyssa's career are local sponsors. "I couldn't have done any of this without the help of my fabulous sponsors. Jack McTavish of Valley Moving and Storage (Perth) and the McTavish Building by The Clyde (Lanark) have been so supportive over the past two years in a number of projects and he made this recording possible."
"Synersys (Nepean) designed and maintain my website and they also design my promotional materials. I wear awesome custom-designed jewelry by Gold & Silver Source (Billings Bridge Plaza) and Nepean's Melodium Music Services have supplied musical instruments and accessories when necessary. The owner Ray Chenier also helped me with some of the arrangements of my originals. The success of my career to date and its progression are in very large part thanks to this support."
Another major supporter is Gary Shechtman, manager of The UPS Store @ MOTOPHOTO (formerly MBE @ MOTOPHOTO) at Greenbank Square. "They have always gone the extra mile in doing all of my promotional printing. They even help with ideas and design."
Shechtman met Elyssa’s father about three years ago and two years ago met Elyssa’s mother when she came into his store inquiring about making business cards and posters.
"I decided to check out her website and was impressed by how long she has been involved in her singing career and her singing awards. She was doing a gig at Tuscan’s and I decided to see what she was all about. The minute she started to sing, the crowd turned around, and heard her powerful voice just blow everyone away."
After the performance, Shechtman approached the family to tell them that he wanted to offer his support by becoming a corporate sponsor. Since then, The UPS Store @ MOTOPHOTO has produced high quality business cards, posters, digital 4x6 calling cards, media kits, and numbered tickets for the CD launch party on short runs and made changes on the fly as needed.
"I have been to most of her Ottawa performances for about a year and watched her get better and stronger. At the Smith’s Falls Chocolate Factory performance, Elyssa became the first performer in four years to get the crowd dancing on the field!" says Shechtman.
CD’s are available at McTavish Building By the Clyde (46 George Street in Lanark), The UPS Store @ MOTOPHOTO (Greenbank Square), Melodium Music Services (283 Greenbank Road in Nepean and 80 Marketplace Avenue in Barrhaven) and Gold & Silver Source, (Billings Bridge Plaza).
Elyssa is very excited about the CD launch party at Tuscon’s. "It’s going to be awesome. It will be a great show because I've got such great musicians backing me including three members from the Downchild Blues Band. There will be a fun crowd for sure. We will also have door prizes including the grand-prize draw for a night’s stay the La Carriole chalet in the Laurentians (courtesy of Gold & Silver Source). I can't wait. I hope a lot of people will be part of this. It's special."
Among the many accomplishments and awards that Elyssa has received is the Peter Evans Memorial Trophy (musical theatre solo, 12 and under) this year. The award is named after this cherished member of the local music theatre community.
"Awards are nice to have, but in competitions, it’s not all about winning. At Kiwanis, you’re adjudicated; you’re always learning from it and can always improve. That’s why I think the Kiwanis Festival is great," says Elyssa.
It’s evident that Elyssa’s goals are to have fun and put on a professional show, by training and protecting her voice, and choosing songs that she enjoys singing. "I like making other people happy. If it’s a good audience then the performance goes so much smoother. You are both feeling each other," says Elyssa Mahoney.
Her advice for others wanting to get into music is "don’t copy other people who are already successful. We already have an Alanis Morissette. Be original, learn and have fun."
Tickets for the Ottawa CD party are available at The UPS Store @ MOTOPHOTO (613-259-5376), Tucson's (613-738-7596) at Bank at Hunt Club or by emailing info@elyssamahoney.ca