Ashley Maher
The Blessed Rain
© 1998 Ashley Maher (631037072120)
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Joni Mitchell meets Paul Simon. World class songwriting fused with the rhythms and textures of West Africa and Latin America, featuring her glorious voice, luxurious tunes, and Paris/London's finest global musicians. Pure and sparkling world/folk/jazz.
tracks
- 1 And I Believe
- 2 Spin Wild
- 3 Crown for Adorning
- 4 Deeper into Clay
- 5 Ogoniland
- 6 The Blessed Rain
- 7 Blind
- 8 Babalu
- 9 You are the One for Me
- 10 Fly
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When James Taylor recorded "Rio" and Joni Mitchell recorded "Dreamland," when Paul Simon recorded "Rhythm of the Saints" and Peter Gabriel blew us away with "So," they were blazing trails for Ashley Maher*. This eclectic global songstress with the golden voice was signed to Virgin UK for five years before returning to the USA and a new beginning. Ashley has recorded four CDs with topnotch West African and Latin musicians from Paris, London, and L.A.
Born to British parents in Canada, and moving to Los Angeles when she was five, Ashley's gift as a singer was recognized early on. She grew up singing jazz, classical, choral, and medieval music and even studied opera in Italy for a year, before falling irrevocably in love with African music. Stumbling upon a class by Ghanaian master drummer, C.K. Ladzekpo, at UC Berkeley, Ashley knew she had found her calling. She studied drumming with him for two years, before graduating and heading straight to London in search of African musicians.
London was alive with global music. Ashley performed with her band for two years before collaborating with premier traditional dance and drumming group, Adzido, to record her first set of demos. The tape soon came to the attention of the record companies and she signed a contract with Virgin U.K.
Virgin released two records for Ashley. The first, named "hi," was met with critical acclaim and hailed as a promising debut. The second, "Pomegranate," featured a superb selection of Paris-based African musicians and again was met with positive press.
Said Nick Coleman of "Time Out," "Her tunes are almost indecently luxurious, the playing exquisite, and the arrangements as full of subtlety as you could wish...hers is a golden world, in which words are garlands, voices are a glow and drums...well, you know what they say about the drums."
Since then, Ashley has continued to develop as a solo artist. She has regularly recorded and performed in London, Paris, and L.A., sang as a backing vocalist on records by Youssou N'Dour and The Afro-Celt Soundsystem, and performed as a dancer for many African dance troupes. Ashley's third, independent CD, "The Blessed Rain," features some of West Africa's finest Paris/London-based musicians.
"Building a bridge between cultures," Ashley observes, "is fruitful when both sides love and understand one another's musical language. 'The Blessed Rain' is a more intimate record than my first two. Less epic, more earthy and simple."
Ashley relocated her family to Los Angeles to care for her mother when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Since her mother's passing, Ashley has had a second child, while actively building her career, Stateside. Performing with LA's best West African and Latin musicians, dancers, and drummers, she has been thrilled to find audiences responding enthusiastically to the music and her band's shimmering shows across America.
Currently, Ashley is busy promoting her freshly finished fourth album: Flying Over Bridges. Look for it here on CDBaby.com and her website! This follow-up to The Blessed Rain was produced by brilliant Cameroonian bassist, Andre Manga, and features LA's finest from Cameroon, Senegal, Brazil, Venezuela, Uruguay, and the USA.
For further reviews, photos, info, see her colorful and easily-surfable website: www.ashleymaher.com
* Maher rhymes with "star"
reviews
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Crayons
author: Alex W.This music reminds me of the happiest times of my childhood, also the smell of crayons. :)
A beautiful fusion
author: RogerA beautiful fusion of evocative sounds of different worlds joined in music, melody and song! Songs sung with a voice so versatile and oh so expressive. Great stuff!
... like fishes in a clear lake. Splendid!
author: ColinI well and truly enjoyed listening to both albums ''Flying Over Bridges'' and ''The Blessed Rain." I could hear a lot of Joni Mitchell's sound and Paul Simon's Graceland from 1986. I will give both 10 out of 10. Why? Because I find the tunes quite luxurious, the playing exquisite, and the arrangements as full of subtlety as one could wish. Your vocals flow over the drums and percussions like fishes in a clear lake. Splendid! I would dearly love to see you and the band live sometime in the near future.
If you love music and life, you will love Ashley Maher!
author: Jerome CruittQuite simply, if you love music and life, you will love Ashley Maher! Just as rain nourishes the earth, Ashley nourishes the soul. With a thoughtful tapestry of vocals and world rhythms, the Blessed Rain is an afternoon shower that cleanses, uplifts and renews the spirit. I am new to this gem of an artist after the fortunate opportunity of a recent live performance. Immersed in Ashley's CDs for a couple of weeks now, I continue to feel very lucky on my discovery. I think you will find that she assimilates her life into art in a very personal, unique and endearing way. On the Blessed Rain, Ashley celebrates melody and rhythm with her well layered vocals, reflective words and an implicit thankfulness that resounds. Ashley brings together some very inspirational players and cultivates a musical community that will make your heart sing. I can hear the smiles of the musicians as these infectious grooves lock and soar. A nice blend of traditional world beats, funk, folk and soul. Lots of cool vocal styling. Would love to hear an extended mix as the grooves are very therapeutic. I get the sense that she had a blast singing and arranging these sessions. The music is so real and the human spirit so tangible. Ashley, as poet, singer and musician, is a true gift to the listener. A wonderful voice for all to hear!
So nice to hear 'real' music nowadays
author: Peter, UKI bought Ashley’s first 2 albums in 1990 and 1992, and then heard nothing………I stumbled across her website a few weeks ago and now am the proud owner of her 2 latest cd’s. It has definitely been worth the 14 year wait! Both albums are incredible - it is so nice to hear ‘real’ music nowadays. This album seems more optimistic overall than the previous albums. The hypnotic drums set the tone and Ashley’s vocals fly like an angel over the lovely music. My favourites so far - ‘The Blessed Rain’ (I can’t get that lovely chorus out of my head, sign of a great ‘pop song‘!!!) and ‘Spin Wild’.
wonderful singing, great songs, killer world-beat meets "pop"
author: david joyceAshley's the real deal. Great writing, interesting production ideas - combining "western" commercially viable hooks with world-beat, African drumming. I love this cd, and am going to hear her perform LIVE tonite!
Listening to Ashley Maher’s “The Blessed Rain” is like drinking cool water from
author: Shawn MaddenListening to Ashley Maher’s “The Blessed Rain” is like drinking cool water from a pure spring on a perfect day anywhere on the planet. She sings a refreshing blend of American folk and pop with traditional African rhythms and vocal styles, Afro pop baselines, and bright, hopeful lyrics. Following in the footsteps of giants such as Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Youssou N’Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Joni Mitchell, and others – all of whom she credits as inspirations – she has found her way into the global soul, and she brings a message of inspiration, peace, and deep connection to the rhythms, cycles, seasons, and wonder of the planet that we call home. She starts off with “And I Believe,” painting pictures of life in Africa, singing of pride and loving family honor over an infectious afro pop groove of which Paul Simon would be proud. “Spin Wild” follows; a direct appeal “to you who choose / an unconventional road” to “throw caution to the wind / lose no more.” She has succeeded here in putting a new, inspiring spin on the idea of being who you are, bold, unafraid, and completely committed, surrendered to life’s plan for each of us as we find our wings. The talking drums and percussive vocal arrangements set an urgent, passionate mood; the overall effect sets off the desire to go out and claim that which you know was always meant to be yours. The rest of the album as well is filled with rich imagery taken from Ashley’s travels in Africa and time she spent living in Europe; she evokes seasons and nature: a lioness, black crows, kingdoms, “golden seeds deeper into clay…” She is an artist paying close attention to the wonders of being alive on planet Earth. Recorded in 1997 in Paris and London, the album is beautiful; cleanly produced and boasting tasteful, inspired performances by some great names in global music. Cameroon’s Hilaire Penda plays bass throughout, his spare, melodic influence anchoring the rest of the players in an atmosphere of gentle yet deeply moving listening. Paco Sery of the Ivory Coast brings his drumming magic to the table as well, providing a rhythmic backbone that never wavers. There are so many great performers on this album that it would take an entire new review to cover them all; the percussion throughout is superb – talking drums, congas, shakers, berimbau, among other toys, all add global spice to the music, and the vocals arrangements and performances are top-notch. The album is a quality listening experience throughout, and only gets better with each new hearing. If you like global music, then you want to treat yourself by following these links: first, to Ashley’s home page (http://www.hrmusic.com/ashley/ashley.html), and then to cdbaby.com to get your copy of “The Blessed Rain” (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/amaher). You’ll be glad you did; she’s an artist truly singing from the soul of the planet, and we’d all do well to start resonating with these tunes. Shawn Madden Writer Skope Magazine www.skopemagazine.com
I love this cd!
author: Shona Kelly WrayThe beauty and complexity of Ashley's music is astounding. I never tire of the rich poety of her lyrics sung with her honeyed voice and intricate rhythms. The deep emotions, intelligence, and diversity of her music on this cd are so satisfying. It's why we want music in our lives.
criminal!!!!!
author: Richie LongIt is absolutly criminal that our airwaves are poisoned by souless crap like dido and all the other agents of Satan when there is an album like the Blessed Rain which is the most accessable and heartwarming Album by Miss Maher yet.Crown for adorning is fab.Gods curse on all radios that do not play tunes from this!!!!
A consistently luxurious, thought-provoking and soothing set of tunes
author: AlisonBlessed Rain is hands-down one of my favorite CDs of all time. I think by now I know every word to every song because I've listened to it so many times. My 2 & 3 year-olds frequently tell me that they want to listen to "Ashley." The lyrics are unique, intelligent, and thought-provoking--both universal and personal in their messages. The music is equally complex, rich, and lush.
This is my favorite CD, hands down!
author: K. WesslingOn The Blessed Rain Ashely offers up joyful, deep and unforgettable music that never fails to move me. I listen to it all the time and never tire of it!
Blessed Rain is the first disc in my CD player, the first I punch on entering th
author: C. ParducciBlessed Rain has a clean, pared down feel. It's the kind of music you want to sit with, sing with, drink a glass of wine to. I play it at least once a day!
Music that does something to your ears, that you wouldn't forget!
author: Patrick PiersmaLoved here second album. This one is also to good for your ears. It's pure and sparkling! Please Ashley, make the next one...I can't wait!
"The Blessed Rain" is an uplifing, spiritual, good feeling gift
author: Jack SuttonAshley Maher – “The Blessed Rain” For those not familiar with Ashley, she is Canadian born, now living in England and has had two previous CDs on Virgin Records. “The Blessed Rain” is an independent release and continues her musical journey into African rhythms and percussion with jazz, folk, and rock influences. As I was listening to this for the first time, completely lost in the beauty of the music, the wonderful arrangements, the rhythms, and Ashley’s striking voice, I was rocked by the spiritual and humanistic insight of the lyrics. Spin Wild seemed to be directed at me. How true the message, and how we need reminders like this so we can remember the power and beauty we all possess: “The golden ring you’re grabbing at is already in reach. The answer in a bottle’s already washed up on the beach. If you’re ready to fly, life will teach you, don’t forget... To spin wild, spin free, pull in the nets of your secret sea.” “The Blessed Rain” is an uplifting, spiritual, good feeling gift, given and received at the same time, the perfect human exchange. Every cut gives me the feeling of great depth requiring many careful listens. It’s like you can listen in a casual way and have the music sweep around and through you, but something inside says, I need to drink in this splendor slowly and deeply. I find it hard to try to technically explain music, as I don’t understand much of that anyhow. I can only talk about feelings from the music and this feels real good. The title cut “The Blessed Rain” is a special treat for me and a great addition to my collection of “rain songs.” Sometimes I feel quite alone in my affinity for rain and wonder why so many people seem to spend much energy to avoid being touched by rain. Ashley said she was a great “rain affectionado” and Maireid Sullivan, an Irish Celtic singer told me she put corrugated tin on her bedroom room roof to amplify the rain. Oh yes, “The Blessed Rain,”...I like that. Jack Sutton Harmony Ridge Music P.O. Box 995 El Granada California, 94018, USA email: jsutton@rahul.net www.harmonyridgemusic.com
Ashley Maher's third album, "The Blessed Rain" is a hidden treasure
author: Ruud HeijjerAshley Maher THE BLESSED RAIN Spin Wild Records SWCD 001 Hidden treasure. After two CDs, Ashley Maher fell from grace with her label. How unjust that is, is proven on this self-released CD, that she recorded with her two right-hand men from then. With bassist Hilaire Penda and guitar player Rod Beale she wrote ten songs, in which she once again combines West-African influences with her complex, jazzy vocals. In the clearly produced music, the subtle, interwoven rhythms of drums and percussion are prominent, together with Penda’s leading bass playing. He plays in a flowing as well as explosive style, and thus pushes the songs forward. They were arranged by him and Beale in a mix of fusion and world, including the potential single You Are The One For Me. In the rich, fascinating melodies, Africa is present stronger than on hi and Pomegranate. Sometimes the repetitive patterns branch out, following Maher’s beautiful voice as her vocals indicate the melody. In other songs the music is structured more emphatically. On top of that, Maher smoothly sings her autobiographical lyrics, often furnished with her own layered background vocals, about signs after her son’s birth or wrong interpretations of religions. Although these unnoticed recordings already date from 1997, Maher proves once again that good music knows no best before date. She hasn’t lost faith in her music: “Give what you got/Your best shot/Then watch/What happens naturally,” still writes new songs, and performs in and around LA, but deserves to be rediscovered. (four out of five) Ruud Heijjer Heaven Magazine www.heaven.be - Heaven is a Dutch Music magazine.