Living Down River is a ten track recording encompassing real life situations and feelings all set to a tasteful mix of folk, Americana and blues. Tamara has a clear and thoughtful vocal style that is convincing while very pleasing and inviting regardless of what style of music she is playing. She also writes all of her own material and maintains her independence as an artist with no attachments to any third parties. Ok, I am really starting to like this woman, everything about her is real and original and she is indie – that is the entire package for me, well the music needs to be good too and in this case, it is the icing on the cake.

This CD is solid in every way, the production is good, the musicianship exemplary – all of the most important aspects are in focus so we have ourselves a captivating group of songs to listen to. I have no doubt after reading about the life of this artist that she truly is living the songs performed.

When you hear “Better Day”, it echoes with emotion and the feeling of someone that has gone through, experienced, and endured some hardships only to come out the other side and step into the light then be able to share that experience with someone that needs some inspiration to do the same. “Big City Blues” is my favorite, which comes as no surprise because I do love the blues and it is a very upbeat track. Tamara and her friends really strut their stuff on this one.

I think a prerequisite to listening to this music and understanding it is to be in a reflective and somewhat serious mood but also lighthearted enough to enjoy the warmth and sunshine it can put in your heart because of all the hope and emotion that comes down the river, just as the title and closing track says. It is a bluesy number with a harmonica that is longing for a friend. A perfect closer to these stories told so well. “That Leavin’ Sound” is a lament to a relationship getting ready to end as the singer anticipates a break up by that sound of leaving in the person’s voice. These particular songs made a noticeable impact on me musically and emotionally.

To relate to music is to know it, and to know it is to understand the artist presenting it. I think I connected on Living Down River.

Artist: Tamara Lewis
Title: Living Down River
Genre: Folk-Americana-Blues
Label: Independent
Website
Source Link

Tracks:
01.I’ll Come Home
02.Better Day
03.Love Song To The Midwest
04.Don’t Look At The Mountain
05.That Leavin’ Sound
06.Big City Blues
07.With My Eyes
08.Cold Coffee, Warm Beer
09.Key of Lonely
10.Living Down River

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Title: Out Of The Darkness
Genre: Rock-Americana-Folk
Label: Restless Soul Records
Website

CD Baby

Mike Marino has completed his third release Out Of The Darkness. My first impression was that he certainly has come a long way from the last release Another World.

In 2004, Marino was still developing his style and honing his skills as a singer/songwriter/musician. The rainbow you see behind him on the cover of this CD is indicative of the way he is feeling about life in general and the direction his career is going. This is all justifiable from my point of view as Out Of The Darkness is definitely his best work to date and a culmination of years of hard work and persistence. Some artists give you the opportunity to look into their souls through their music and Marino is one such individual. There are some great tracks on the CD. Different aspects shine brightly. For me the one that stood out the most again was the message Marino is putting out there. He has a Dylan like style and approach, not to mention sounding like him on more than one occasion. “Racin’ To A Red Light” is about the human “race” speeding towards the vortex of total insanity. This sits right at the top of the lyrics so you see it before the track begins, if you happen to be reading the words as it kicks in. I also enjoyed some of the fine guitar work that Marino presents in this project, whether its electric or acoustic, it is excellent. I have to mention that the artist was very smart about how this project came together; he managed to get some of the best musicians in the Tri-State Region to help.

“Stuck Out In The Rains” is a protest song, just like the 60’s; it is very to the point and prolific. This is a track about the New Orleans floods and how Uncle Sam let everyone down .The abandonment and suffering of our own people was inexcusable. It hits home and leaves you feeling disappointed and wondering if something like that happened in your own town what would be the reaction of authorities that have control of funds and emergency relief.

That is the whole point of this project; Marino wants to make you think about the world you live in. He does it with music that has a 70’s classic rock feel to it, with parts of country, Americana, and a little bit of the blues stirred in to give it the necessary emotion and power the lyrics need to make it come through consistently clear.

As far as I am concerned, the artist has taken his work to an entirely different level this time out. On a scale of 1 to 10, he went from a six all the way up to nine. This of course leaves room for improvement and the goal of reaching musical perfection is what all serious artists aspire to.

© MuzikReviews.com
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
01. Love the Good More Than You Hate the Bad (3:46)
02. Out of the Darkness (3:28)
03. Here Today (2:57)
04. Twenty too Late (2:27)
05. Marie Jean (3:02)
06. Racin’ to a Red Light (3:21)
07. One Man’s Destiny (3:54)
08. Stuck Out in the Rains (3:27)
09. Ulterior Motives (3:25)
10. Who Will Save the Children (3:19)
11. When the World Was Still Big (4:14)
12. Sunset River (3:49)
13. Benediction (:34)