Maia Sharp - Maia Sharp (12 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

The Power of Maia

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 09/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maia Sharp's sophomore effort is a strong CD from this amazing artist. "Hardly Glamour" was such a classic debut, that it'd be hard to top. With the title song written with her father Randy Sharp for the new #1 selling Dixie Chics' CD "Home" and an upcoming outing with Art Garfunkel, the music industry is beginning to discover the power of Maia. This CD opens with an organ sounding like an oboe, calling us to attention and then spreads into a jazzy rocker calling people to activism, "Safe in the shadows, you judge from a distance, blindly committing crimes of the witness." "Willing to Burn" is a midtempo pop with a hot sax on the bridge. My favorite track is "Long Way Home," a slow searing song with Joe Zimmerman's liquid smooth sax as Maia sings from the point of the "other woman" in a romantic affair, "That morning the day had finally come for somebody to lose; you kissed me hard & walked out of my door to give her the bad news, But I followed you there like the sick f**k I am to see what she'd do... I became your long way home." On the heels of that, we go to "Sinners," an indictment of preachers who render judgment without positive spiritual love. David Batteau cowrote "Crooked Crown" which is a musically adventurous track that uses jazz licks to reflects a disjointed feeling. Pam Rose of Kennedy Rose joins Maia to write "Lightning." Josh Segal's violin gives the song a poignant sense of longing. "One Good Reason" slows the tempo to remind a lover that love is the reason to stay. "Happiness" is a song that'd make the Lovin' Spoonful envious with its good time upbeat feel, "If you could redefine success to mean you always do your best, it's easier for happiness to find you." Maia uses a theatrical metaphor to describe a love affair, "Two understudies stepped into the light hoping nobody would notice, trying to make it through opening night," on a pretty pop track "Understudies." "I may be all alone but you live with that heart of stone," she sings on "Your Own Justice." Kim Richey and Paul Thorn join Maia to write the infectious uptempo pop tune "You Can't Lose Them All." The CD ends with a 5 year old Maia singing her composition "Ghosts." Somebody once said, "Set yourself on fire; and the people will come to watch you burn." Maia Sharp tackles weighty emotions in her songs which makes this music that is about something and gives it depth. Just as Carole King once talked about Maia as one of her favorites, she's fast becoming one of mine too. Don't miss it!"

Shining talent

02/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What a treat. Friends ask me how I find the great music I turn them on to, and I say I travel the rails on Amazon. I found Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jeff Larson and Lucy Kaplansky. I also learned about Art Garfunkel's brilliant new release, a CD that's been in my various players for weeks now, and I followed the trail to Maia Sharp. This CD is outstanding. I really enjoy the variety here, with several multi-talented musicians adding depth to the fine lyrics she writes. I especially like her sax work, feeling that it provides that extra, singular touch to make this CD so memorable. Much to my delight, and without prior knowledge, I noticed that Maia has plugged in professionally with Jonatha Brooke, a spectacular, under-appreciated talent who manages to make music that defies genre-placement and forces listeners to reread the lyrics while they drift inside her supple melodies. Maia can sing, she can share her anger or joy, and she can make music that is a guiding light for folk-rock enthusiasts who want the extra spice of jazz in their musical diet. The Garfunkel collaboration was inspired and opened the door as an intro for those of us who had not heard Maia before. With this CD, Maia Sharp blows the door right off the hinges."

Excellent Stuff - I broke my five star rules for this

12/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent songwriter, talented musician and an warm singer. It is not overly polished, but the arrangements sparkle from energy, interesting rythmns and have a great feel. The singing is warm with a great deal of emotion. I could list other artist she sounds like, singers like Toni Child or the songwriter folk-rockers like Jonatha Brooke, but it would only get in the way. What works so well are the songs from a unique voice (even the song Kim Richey wrote with her and recorded a few years ago sounds fresh and vibrant) who matches the material with sax, pianos, layered vocals and makes a damn good CD. I only hope her label can do her justice.
A new (or not so new) voice that brings rich music to the table. You won't be disappointed."

Warm & Calming. Will Make a Regular Appearance in my Player

M. E. Wood | Canada | 12/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maia Sharp has had a lifetime affair with music, growing up in a musical household with her Songwriter Dad Randy Sharp and her mother Sharon Bays.

Maia wrote all the music for this album with assistance from Randy Sharp, Colin James, Nathan December, Andy Georges, David Batteau, Pam Rose, Susan Ashton, Janet Robin, Buddy Mondlock, Kim Richy, and Paul Thorn. She's written songs for the Dixie Chicks, Amanda Marshall, David Wilcox, Cher,

Paul Carrack, Alannah Myles and Randy Sharp.

This is Maia Sharp's second release, her first with Concord Records. She has also collaborated with Art Garfunkel and Buddy Mondlock on Everything Wait's to Be Noticed released in 2002.

Maia's often poetic lyrics are laced with moral issues. Her slow, sexy compilation is music with a conscience and a message. It isn't condescending and there is no self sympathy. The tracks are mellow and I couldn't help but sway along. And any album that includes the lyrics gets extra points with me. The only negative thing I have to say is the appearance of the F-word on the third track, "Long Way Home." It seems out of place in the landscape of the other songs.

I hate to compare artists but for comparison's sake I would have to say she reminds me of Jann Arden, both in lyrics and vocally. Maia's earthy country/pop/jazz sound is warm and calming where Arden's can be somewhat irritating on replay.

Maia produced this album and except for two tracks recorded it in her home studio.

Powerful moral lyrics highlight the first track, Crimes Of The Witness. This song will make you think twice before sitting back and letting someone else step forward to help or worse, sit back and do nothing all. The rhythm of the chorus is catchy and rolls smoothly with Maia's voice and lyrics. Maia wrote this song with her father Randy Sharp.

Happiness, is the eighth track. I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Redefining success "to mean you always do your best" and not by the possessions you do or don't have. If I had to pick a favourite song this would be it.

The final track charmed my sentimental side. Ghosts, was recorded in 1976. A young Maia sings a simple song with the encouragement of her father and mother. It makes a sweet ending to this album. This CD will make a regular appearance in my player for years to come.

Review Originally Posted at http://www.linearreflections.com

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WOW! Awesome in concert!

C. Fortin | Seattle, Wa. | 11/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Maia Sharp open for Bonnie Raitt and I was BLOWN away with her voice. She sounds as good if not better live, which is a hard thing to do. She is multi-talented, she can play the guitar, keyboard, clarenet, and bass sax. Her rich voice is very powerful and her lyrics are amazing. Very catchy, a great road trip cd. She writes so many songs, and people like Bonnie Raitt and Dixie Chicks, and more sing her songs. She rocks! If you get a chance, see her in concert!

"

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	Maia Sharp Maia Sharp Genres: Country, Pop, Rock Track Listings (12) - Disc #1 Crimes of the Witness Willing to Burn Long Way Home Sinners Crooked Crown Lightening One Good Reason Happiness Understudies Your Own Justice You Can't Lose Them All Ghosts
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