“a sterling up-and-coming talent” “* * * Sharp and Clear….Sharp always leads with her heart and comes across as a performer worth getting to know.” “Maia Sharp: A Songwriter Set To Arrive” “Album of the Month – She’s penned hits for a wide range of artists…Now the silky-voiced Sharp is releasing her fourth solo album; it teems with catchy melodies (‘Polite Society’) and pointed lyrics (‘Death by Perfection,’ a hummable duet with Bonnie Raitt).” “a nifty power-pop record that could be her breakthrough...studded with hard-to-resist hooks, ‘Echo’ trades the folk and jazz elements that colored Sharp’s earlier records for a rocked-up take on the classic California singer-songwriter sound.” “Maia Sharp reminds listeners of her prodigious talents as a pop songwriter on the new CD ‘Echo,’ a melodious blast produced by the great Don Was, anchored by master drummer Jim Keltner and featuring a cool cameo by Bonnie Raitt...” "She comes into her own as a promising performer in her own right on her fifth album, Echo..." “’Polite Society’ leads things off, charging out of the blocks like a rocking R.E.M. while Maia pulls off one of the most polite ‘eff you’s you ever heard....while ‘John Q. Lonely’ might make you doublecheck the writing credits to make sure they don’t read ‘Lennon/McCartney’ – honest and true.” “…her solid songwriting chops recall the best of the ‘70s writers like Joni Mitchell and Carole King.” “Beginning with the guitar anthem ‘Polite Society,’ and ending with the chilling self-referential ‘The Girl on Her Way,’ Sharp’s deft turns of phrase and consequential melodies are mirrored in the stoic intimacy of her plaintive vocals.” “The album is home to 12 striking songs, and Sharp has never sounded better.” “Echo finds singer/songwriter Maia Sharp recasting the classic Brill Building template within the bounds of the new Millennium.” “Based on its crisp, thoughtful, and engaging songwriting alone, veteran singer/songwriter Maia Sharp's fourth solo album is a triumph featuring the kind of melodic grace and colorful wit that have characterized the tunes she has written for everyone from the Dixie Chicks to Cher, Edwin McCain, Lisa Loeb, Trisha Yearwood and many others.” “The new Echo is easily her first great album…” “...her finest release to date, an album whose rootsy songwriter pop crackles with shrewd insight, keen writing and a strong dose of carpe diem.” “The songs [on Echo] reveal a woman with a richly mature sound, a distinctive edge and a superb voice...Sharp's melodies are consistently engaging and her lyrics are clever...in a smart fashion that reveals more provocative layers with each repeated listen.” “Performing as a duo, Sharp combined a strong voice, playing acoustic guitar and keyboards for an evening of enjoyable music. Sharp demonstrated that she was way more than just another songwriter." “A subtly ingratiating song [‘Death by Perfection’], it makes its point with grace and nuance — in other words, a protest song for adults.” “The album closer, ‘Girl On Her Way’ could have been tucked amongst the tracks on Carole King’s Tapestry album all those years ago and would have fit right in...in another time and in another place, Echo would be playing in dorm rooms everywhere come fall, for sure. Maybe it will…it deserves to be.” “With ‘Echo,’ Sharp appears to have changed her status from respected songwriter to solo artist with a bullet...” “Sharp delivers a dozen signature songs propelled by Don Was’ rocking production and notable players (Jim Keltner on drums, Linda Taylor on guitar and a guest spot from Raitt).” PR – Judi Kerr Head of New Media – Jerad Sloan
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