MARA LEVINE

MARA LEVINE
FACETS OF FOLK

No Label
MBL CD 005

Mara Levine is a New Jersey-based singer and jewelry creator who has a clear, powerful voice that stands out ahead of the music on this, her third project. She’s joined by a host of artists (primarily her friends in the trio Gathering Time), which includes Stuart Markus, Gerry McKeveny, and Hillary Foxsong. She’s also assisted by well-known musicians Andy Leftwich, Mark Schatz, Mollie O’Brien, Caroline Cutroneo, John Guth, Bob Harris, and many others.

Songs selections are by popular songwriters including Susan Shann (“You Reap What You Sow”), Gordon Lightfoot (“Bitter Green”), Si Kahn (“Upstream”), Leonard Cohen (“Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye”), Bill Staines (“Child Of Mine”), and Paul Simon (“Song For The Asking”). Other tunes include “Sea Of Life,” “Daughters And Sons,” “A Perfect Rose,” and the traditional “Taladh Chriosda.” Her choice of songs was intentional, as she states, “I was inspired by the current political and social challenges facing us today.” She included several socially conscience tunes as well as songs about being a better person and about how we treat each other.

The song arrangements, harmonies, and presentation allow Levine’s beautiful voice to be heard and allow the songs themselves to tell the stories. (www.maralevine.com)BF