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Warrior
Girl Music's "Females On Fire" CD Compilation I
Review
by: Paul Autry - Spotlight Magazine, PA
This two disc set features 32 songs and, when
it comes to compilation albums, it doesn't get any better than
this. Usually, when you put a compilation album together,
especially one that features music of all styles, it's usually
not a good thing. If you throw a lot of different music together
and you don't do it right, it's not gonna flow well and most
people won't be able to get into it. Trust me...I'm speaking
from experience here. My local used record store got a lot of
free CD's from me because of that reason. They're not getting
this one though because "Females On Fire" was done right. I'm
sure a lot of time was spent on trying to figure out the track
listing because, even though there's a lot of musical variety to
be found here, each song flows into the next one without missing
a beat. It's like listening to a radio station that had a good
run for about two hours...know what I mean? However, with the
amount of material that's featured here, you do need to go
through it a few times to really take it all in. You listen to
it once just to hear it. Second time around, you start picking
out some tunes that you really like. Third time...fourth
time...you'll have a good feel for what it's all about. You
know, I was gonna mention a few tracks that I really like
because, yes, I do like some tunes more than others. But, I
wouldn't do this album justice if I started to pick it apart. I
don't want you to judge this album by a song or two because you
need to experience this release as a whole to understand how
good it really is. So, let me just end this little write up with
this thought. 2005 is about to come to an end and I'm putting a
lot of thought into the top ten albums that I've heard this
year. I have about five releases picked out so far and, while I
can't tell you what order I'm placing them into yet, I will
say this, "Females On Fire" is number one. Without a doubt, this
is the best album that I've heard all year. Two thumbs up...a
perfect ten. Pick up a copy today...and, while you're at
it...pick up an extra copy for someone you love.
Review by:
Anna Maria Stjärnell
- Collected Sounds, Sweden
This compilation of female artists was put
together by Gilli Moon. This two-cd set represents a large
amount of gifted women. There are plenty of musical styles here,
but there's a slight preference for folk and rock. No metal or
jazz appears here, but this way it's a more stylistic whole.
It's impossible to mention all the tracks here, so I'll just
highlight some favorites.
The fragile-voiced That Girl Laura occupies a
space between Sundays and Heather Nova. Trysette's "Give it up"
is a funky track with a soulful vocal. It sounds commercial
enough to be a hit. Red 7's "Story About a Friend" is a folksy
little gem. The singer's calm, clear voice stands out. Gypsy
Butterfly's "Miracle" is a lovely song with a slightly exotic
style. The singer has a nice husky voice and the backing is
spirited. Lizzie's "Funky Young Flower" is a rockin' track with
a rapped vocal that recalls Nikka Costa. Celeste Lear's "Live
passionately" is a powerful invocation of hope. It's a little
more laid-back than the title implies, but is all the better for
it. The harmonica and funky guitar adds to the sound. Alpha
Cat's "Wichita" ends the compilation on a nice note. It's cool
and relaxed. This record is worth a look to anyone who likes
female vocalists. About the
Artists
tour reviews
Boston MA Oct 2006
Well I have to admit that Sunday's Females On Fire 'in Boston' show was really lovely. We celebrated, once again, the release of the 2nd Females on Fire compilation, and this
time at All Asia Cafe in Cambridge (Boston) MA. The venue is more a beer swelling spot, with an interesting Asian menu and sticky walls from many a head banging music crowd, but we took it over with our femme fatale feisty
acoustic songs for 3 hours on this rainy Sunday afternoon in Boston.
We decided to perform "in the round" so to speak so as to keep the afternoon flowing and not loose our customers,.. who were shaky to say the least,.. but riveted till the end thank
god.
Those on the bill were the saucy HOLLY LIGHT (all the way from New Jersey but really Los Angeles now); MAEVE HUGHES(our eloquent guest who wasn't feeling so good but she chowed down
some noodles and gave us some jazz delights); Eleanore Altman from Montreal who is so cool on the piano, she reminds me of Joni Mitchell on speed (thanks for bringing "the" fan base); Kristy Coote a guest from Sydney Australia who has
an effervescent 'bop' to her, and "moi" the one and only moon child .. and boy did i enjoy the broccoli tofu delight as well. Our darling Fran Gray got caught at a different Mass Ave in Boston and probably thought we all boycotted her
but really.... it does exist Fran! All Asia is a 'real' venue ;) This aint no twilight zone.
ANYway,... the CD is in full force and you can check it out and the artists. at femalesonfire.com. There's nothing better than a
good slice of feminine life through 35 artists on one disc and 32 on the other. Wow. Pretty amazing if I do say so myself.
- gilli moon
Dallas TX May 2006
Sunday, May 21 was a a hot and humid night, fitting weather for our Females on Fire songwriters performing at O'Rileys Pub for IMC 2006 Dallas final concert event!! Megan Laurie and Laura Bradley joined Warrior Girl gilli moon as performers for the final night concert at O'Rileys Pub, closing out the IMC 2006 in Dallas with more fireworks than we'll see on the 4th of July.
Megan kicked of her set with FOF II's "Kissin the Wind" and never let up through a strong set of songs. "While you're at home, kissin my picture, I'm in my car Kissin the Wind"....Megan's "Australian, plays guitar and sings country" but she
crossed over with influences of rock and blues complimenting a stage presence that reminded me of Paula Cole and early Shania Twain. Megan's effervescent personality can carry a set by herself but she brought along a fiddle player to
accompany and the two kept the energy level at fever pitch for the full 20 minutes on stage. Her song, "Light at the End of the Bottle" slowed things down so we could catch our breath and also revel in the lyrical ability of this young
artist. Her songs are stories that should catch fire with a wider audience with hooks and phrases sure to stick in one's head - no doubt Megan is a star on the rise.
Miami's Laura Bradley walked gracefully on stage and with her sultry, soulful voice laid bare her soul with songs of love including her track, "Skin", which will be included on FOF II. Listening to Laura sing is
like sitting near a warm fire on a Sunday evening after a beautiful weekend with your favorite friend or lover, watching the crackling flames, being at peace, knowing you're in a safe place and able to ride through any "Storm". Laura's
music is textured on her cd, "Storm" with full arrangements and band, but being solo with guitar tonight showed the artist's essence as a songwriter and courage as a performer. A gentle spirit, Laura's lyrics tell stories of personal growth
while appealing to the audience because everyone can relate.
Starting her set with "Temperamental Angel", gilli moon confessed "I'm a sucker for conventional romance" but she's one slick performer and brilliant in front of a crowd, capturing the moment with her expressive
vocals and keyboard antics. Accompanied by local Dallas percussionist, Kent, gilli's poured her passionate energy into each song but still kept the emotions stirring with her contemplative and revealing look at "Hollywood". Having the
audience participate in a set ending and rousing version of "Woman", gilli made sure Dallas won't soon forget that Females on Fire are a lot hotter than the 90 plus degree weather we experienced while in town.
If this night was a look into the future for Females on Fire live performances when the second compilation comes out this summer, we are in for a wild and explosive album launch - and some hot events throughout
the country where ever we go. Megan, is such a delight to meet in person and so down to earth!!! Laura, is an ethereal being "spreading her fairy dust" as one of the industry reps mentioned at IMC 2006 listening to her music during one of
the conference panels. And gilli, well....wait till you meet her - you'll know why we carry an extinguisher in our tour car - Females on Fire indeed!!!
Our thanks to Noel Ramos and Elaine Law for putting on a great indie music conference "IMC" and we look forward to being there in Philadelphia at the end of August and beginning of September for the IMC 2006 at the Sheraton at One Dock
Street. Till then....keep the "fires burning".
-
toni k.
Females On Fire 2 album launch @ Belage Hotel Sat Aug 19, 2006
I wanted to write to everyone to let you all know how proud and happy I am after witnessing last night's Females On Fire 2 album launch.
It was a great marathon night of 14 perfomers, great food, great Hollywood views and a packed audience. The Belage Hotel's Ten20 club really was a well suited room. We had some sound difficulties in that room, but in general, the show was
awesome and went on without a hitch.
First off, Kristy Hanson set the scene with her acoustic guitar and really interesting rhythmic songs. i have always enjoyed Kristy's performances, but i was very much in tune with her tonight, being the first act for a memorable night.
Kristen Anastasia gaveus some poetic inspiration to change sets.
Second music act for the night, Riddle the Sphinx, with Chris Cargill on piano and Christo on percussion. I've seen Chris in full glory with her band, but i was particularly impressed with her organic performance, in the piano. She is
whimsical and lyrical and really lovely and gentle. A pleasure to listen to. Jacinta up next solo. She packs a punch up on stage on her own. She has amazing stage presence and confidence and her songs were great, with her on keyboards with
whole dance backing. It was a full show, with just this tall blonde Texan Australian lighting the stage on fire! Thanks for coming over from Austin Texas!
Philippe Durand, our token male for the evening, gave us some romantic poetry with his delightful french accent! Kris Miller up next. I'm really impressed with her stage presence development. Her guitar playing has increased thrice fold and
she really holds true to her commitment to her messages and her purpose, through her songs. Lovely delivery. Holly Light graced the stage next. What a power warrior girl she is. Only solo on stage, she captivated the room and you could hear a
pin drop. She has an enormous voice and great songs. I enjoyed being on stage after Holly and Shawn Cunnane on guitar was really eloquent, rhythmic and talented. I love playing that grand piano! Flint graced us with her poignant and strong
poetry. She really touched on our evening's theme well: femininity, communication, love, vitality. Much food for thought.
Following her was sister Laura Bradley. Laura's evocative and personal stories emanate through her songs with beauty, delicacy and talent. She has Shawn on guitar and Michael on bass, with Laura herself singing like an angel and accompanying
herself also on guitar. Really lovely set. After Laura came Joan Enguita, a Females On Fire 1 artist. Joan is a real go-getter and her songs and voice are reminiscent of Joan Biaz and Judith Durham (Seekers) with her own original modern folk
style. A pleasure to watch and listen to. Michael Ann's fiery performance followed, on guitar, with her musical friend on guitar and mandolin. With her Nashville twang and savvy personable style, Michael Ann really invigorated the audience.
She is a great performer.
It just got hotter and hotter as the night wore on, with Cyndi Vellmure's sassy performance. Cyndi really knows how to deliver songs with style. She had her full band on stage, but all unplugged and Cyndi traversed easily from guitar to piano
entertaining with her really solid, memorable songs. Debra Knox closed the night with a great final set for our night. Her voice, her songs, her perfrmance were stylish, strong and a great closer for the night. Thanks for coming down from the
Bay area!
Thanks also to Toni K for stage management, Britt from Bomb Shelter O.C for sound, Melissa, Nicole and Talia for helping out with the night's proceedings.
Brilliant night, lots of talent, plenty of memories.
- gilli moon
Rustling the
fire beneath to create magic
 a post launch show review...
Is
there such a thing as euphoria in this
modern world? I am feeling on top of
the world this sleepy Saturday morning
as I recollect what an unbelievable
night I just witnessed last night at
The Mint in L.A August 2005.
We
had not 20, but 21 fabulous artists
performing to celebrate the launch of
the Females On Fire compilation
Cd and I am just OVER the moon about
it. Why? Because each and every artist
just BLEW me away. Everyone was
amazing. They touched me, my soul, my
inner fire. They made me remember why
I love music, why I love
ENTERTAINMENT, why I love the magic of
"putting on a show". This show was one
of the best I was able to help create
and I am so thankful to be surrounded
by such amazing talent and wonderful
lights.
When
we went through the sea of artist
submissions to be on the CD, we chose
what we felt were the strongest of the
artists that came through and also
those who showed commitment in their
own careers, who were ready to put
their best foot forward, who were
serious about taking their music,
their art, to the next level. And they
all invested into the project, with
more than what is required. They
invested their HEARTS. Every artist
talked about the Females On Fire CD on
stage last night as if it were their
own babies, and IT IS. It's working.
This feeling of ownership, of joy to
be part of something that is bigger
than ourselves, beyond our own four
walls of ego-centric art making, is
what ART is all about. SHARING. Being
part of the bigger picture, the bigger
world... and in this case a fabric
interwoven of artists that are
timeless, professional, exceptional,
full of love and grace and style, and
pizzazz and punk and rock, and
sensitivity, and melancholy, and
action and passion.... all of it.
These artists were all of it.... from
7.30pm till 2am, WE ROCKED THE MINT.
The
house was full. People stayed till the
very end. They STILL wanted
more?!!!!!!?! We had to ask them to
leave at 2am. Oh my god. What a night!
Penelope Torribio, sensitive and fiery
at the same time, opened the show.
Kris Miller stirred my passions and
she sang so strong. Kelen on
percussion and singing, blonde hair,
lovely voice. So unique. Laura, that
amazing girl with a voice that soars,
Jamie Green, got the groove going for
us. She is a rock goddess. People
started dancing and it wasn't even
8.30pm yet!! Harmonies, rocking band!
Alpha Cat.. lovely Elizabeth all the
way from NY, gave us her deep,
sensitive songs. People were like,
"who is THAT? Wow". Then a guest
spoken word piece by Antoinette
Valente. The house was silent.
Riveted! Vertigo Moon with Dawnia and
Kim and a full band I'd never heard.
Sharon on the electric violin. The
Mint was packed by now and no one
could resist moving and grooving. I
got up to perform as the second "moon"
in the show and didn't know how to
even compare to what i was witnessing.
But I was swirled into the magic and I
loved the energy up there. Didn't
you?! Then came Cindy Alter, back from
South Africa, a voice a punk rocker in
my heart, she always touches my soul.
Holly Light, so light, so soulful,
with her bluesy voice and fabulous
guitar playing. Songs just suck me in
every time.
Then
guest spoken work J Walker, our fiery
male, just made sense of it all.
Speaking of pop culture and following
the true fire in our bellies,
delivering real songs, real messages,
he hit home that we were here for
something bigger than just ourselves.
This show was education, it was about
clarity and about sharing our secrets
to an audience that We were strong, We
have a voice, We fight the mainstream,
the lowest common denominator, that we
express music and songs that Can and
Will be heard. Wow I'm on a roll, and
it's still early! I should be
sleeping...
Dina
Gathe, now she's a punk rocker and she
shows it. Her songs are hot. The band
was on. Our hands were all in the air.
Then came Little Sista. 3 girls up
front dancing, singing, harmonies,
rocking, grooving. I was at my plateau
by now. Willow, who began her set with
a warrior girl anthem... she defined
it all for us, our strengths, what we
need to survive this business, how we
go out there, with our beliefs in
ourselves, with our inner strengths.
Willow was spiritual, she was groovy
and fantastic. Celeste Lear had that
unique edge that just balanced it all.
It was getting late, and we were
getting into the midnight our. Celeste
took us on that journey of dark, yet
also light, musical magic. Kim Erin
came out and her soaring, beautiful
gorgeous voice just lifted me higher.
I was now in heaven. tch,.... trippy,
interesting, quirky, vibrant. Lizzie,
glamour, white and silver, blonde
hair, she brought the rock back in for
the late night lovers who were Still
here wanting wanting wanting More
More! Then Jackie Bristow, guest from
Australia, brought it down, to a nice
finale, with her sweet, tender love
songs. We started to relax and know
the night was coming to a sweet,
soulful end. And finally Aussie Matt
Ellis, magnificent male as a book end
for a fabulous female night, .. he
gave us some great songs, so humble,
and so perfect.
Perfect. this night was perfect. And I
thank each and every one of the
artists who made it happen, from
promoting it, bringing their friends,
leaving their egos at the door to just
be part of the tapestry that was the
Females On Fire night.
oh
and what about that Neal Barbosa?
Painting al night "live action
SensuArt". He must have painted 15
canvases, splashing as we
performing, ever ending. He was a
constant art piece, moving and
feeling the energy and fire of each
artist all night long. the joy of
the team, behind the stage too, that
made it happen. Toni Koch who has
completely out done herself as a
promoter extraordinaire. You have
arrived! Dennis Hoffman on merch,
all night, who also drove us home at
3am when we lost our keys (long
story). But what could possibly put
a downer on such a magnificent
night! The club, Todd the owner,
Dina on door and tables, Mike the
warrior sound man, Curtis back stage
with musicians.. I mean, it was a
powerhouse team. ... and again...
the artists... you all just BLEW me
away. See other email;) yay
And
now, we begin promoting the CD out
to the wider world. We hope they
feel the magic.
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