Here for the first time is a collection of eleven rousing, rocking pop hits that zero in on Motherhood -- the guts and the glory, the laughs and the heartaches. From "The Girl You Might've Been," to "Gravity," to "My Hear... more »t Was the First You Stole," If Mama Ain't Happy is the inside story from the emotional trenches. From rock to jazz to soulful ballads, Tina deVaron's songs soothe and jolt, capturing the sublime joys, the pain and poignancy in the day-to-day existence of a mother's life. Sold-out audiences at her concerts laugh and weep and, most importantly, recognize themselves. "You're singing about my life!" is the comment most often heard. If you're a mom or about to become one -- or if you've ever been married to one! -- you shouldn't miss this extraordinary CD.« less
Here for the first time is a collection of eleven rousing, rocking pop hits that zero in on Motherhood -- the guts and the glory, the laughs and the heartaches. From "The Girl You Might've Been," to "Gravity," to "My Heart Was the First You Stole," If Mama Ain't Happy is the inside story from the emotional trenches. From rock to jazz to soulful ballads, Tina deVaron's songs soothe and jolt, capturing the sublime joys, the pain and poignancy in the day-to-day existence of a mother's life. Sold-out audiences at her concerts laugh and weep and, most importantly, recognize themselves. "You're singing about my life!" is the comment most often heard. If you're a mom or about to become one -- or if you've ever been married to one! -- you shouldn't miss this extraordinary CD.
CD Reviews
Wonderful, sad, funny, superb.
Tim Cohn | Reston, VA United States | 02/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tina DeVaron's hauntingly beautiful voice, with lyrics ranging from wistful to playful to baldly funny, explores the exquisite range of parental emotions. The result is overwhelming: brilliant, clever, tearful. Parents, and the children of parents, will love this CD."
Intelligent and Moving Music for Parents
Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux | Charlottesville, VA | 03/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"People encountering this CD might expect it to be bouncy music for kids in the Raffi vein. Wrong! It's top-drawer singer/songwriter music that aims for surprisingly unexplored territory: how it feels to be a parent (yes, I know, and especially a mom; but it worked for me, too). Many of Tina DeVaron's songs are just plain fun. Others are deeply moving. I bought this CD for my sister, and she told me she cried. (She's not the crying sort.) I bet the tune that got to her is "I Still Breathe," a song about the joys and pain of parenthood that is just plain beautiful. The CD features a stellar cast of backup musicians, including violinist Andy Stein and jazz bassist John Patitucci. The sound is great, and the songs cover a wide range of emotion. Highly recommended."
Best Gift for Moms/Families!
Greg Miller | Seattle | 05/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tina deVaron's CD is great for Moms (and husbands too) -- the perfect gift for so many of my friends I have lost count. It's not just the way she captures what it is to be a Mom this day and age in the lyrics; the strong, catchy music which affirms the humor and love of kids (despite and because of all that involves) embodies the soul of not just Tina being a Mom, but the universal Mom. Strong, bluesy, sometimes rock-type songs just fit the moods of the different songs perfectly. Whether your friend (or you)are hitting mid-motherhood (kids entering junior high/middle school); you cannot think of the right thing for her birthday or Mother's Day or other special occasion; or you just want to let her share the intimite joys of being a Mom with the rest of the world (it is so nice to know you are not alone), this is the way to do it and keep on doing it. Thanks to Tina for capturing this neglected part of life so realistically and with such grace. It is a treasure."
This music gets you right in the heart (and funnybone)
Rosalind Gnatt | Manhattan | 03/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is a rare artist that reaches across gender, age, politics, musical preference, and, yes, even how you're feeling about your mother at the moment, and makes you feel like the song is actually your own. Last week a group of young friends spent an evening with me. They are high school students at the LaGuardia School for the Performing Arts. Among the things they had to share were their latest favorite songs from (!) the Indigo girls. I loved feeling ageless. I then popped on my CD of "If Mama Ain't Happy" and played "the girl you might have been". They laughed, cried, and afterwards couldn't speak - just like us 40-year-olds. They listened to every cut, and when they left, took my CD with them. We all knew, like the Simon and Garfunkle we had listened to earlier, that we were sharing a classic. Every person with whom I have shared Tina's music has at least one reaction in common: at some point, they nod and say, "Yep, that's right." or "that's me." Because after all, even if we're not a mother or a father, we are some mother's child. And no matter how bitter or sweet that may be, this music gets us right there."
Made me laugh and made me cry...
Rosalind Gnatt | 05/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tina deVaron has a fantastic blues-y voice and a talent for writing songs that speak the truth in a (often) funny way. ANY Mom would love this CD."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1