Musical Discoveries Reviews Rain on the Roof - March 15, 2008
(14 March 2008) Pop/folk singer/songwriter Margaret MacDonald's second album, Rain On The Roof (MMCD2006, 2006), is an eleven track CD that showcases this artist's image-filled lyrics, lush melodies and vocal purity. There are hints of Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell in this mellow collection of songs. Her debut album Other Vistas was released in 2001. She recently wrote and performed the opening theme song (in French) to an independent French film, Sans Vie, released in September 2007. Other film placements are in the works.
Margaret hails from San Francisco and grew up listening to a variety of music, ranging from classical to R&B to folk. She spent fifteen years in the United Kingdom before returning to California, and her music is a conglomeration of all these components. Her songs excel both musically and lyrically, creating the mood for a lovely, relaxing atmosphere. Margaret’s richly textured voice takes you from the amusing James Taylor-esque "Still 21 In My Head" to the aching "Cry For You" and the R&B-tinged ballad, "I Know You Love Me."
While this talented artist performs on piano and vocals (as well as being a producer), credits go to her ensemble of gifted musicians featuring Charles Waltz (fiddler for the Young Dubliners) on violin and Basil Fung (played on Alanis Morrisette's Jagged Little Pill) on acoustic guitar and he performs as a solist as well. She collaborated with Los Angeles-based producer Randall Michael Tobin at Theta Sound in Burbank.
"Still 21 In My Head" is the signature song on Margaret album and is one of many songs on the album that resonate with the music-loving public in their thirties and up. This song was recently ranked number one in the all-time most requested song group on an internet station based in Florida. Margaret says, "I'm certainly in that category so I can't help writing music that appeals to this audience. And according to Billboard, a huge percentage of record sales are to people over the age of 35, so I figure there’s room for some new, slightly older talent." Her songs from Rain On The Roof have been featured on internet radio stations such as ArtistFirst Radio, NetteRadio, Pandora and many more.
Margaret MacDonald's music is effortless and soulfully expressive. Her pure tone of voice and simple accompaniment is a pleasure to the senses. There is an honesty to her sound that is down-to-earth and unpretentious. Her storytelling on Rain On The Roof is indicative of her sensitivity and passion for her craft that comes through loud and clear. Simply stated, Margaret MacDonald's music touches the heart. (five stars)
http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/digest/digest.php?a=viewr&id=792
Margaret hails from San Francisco and grew up listening to a variety of music, ranging from classical to R&B to folk. She spent fifteen years in the United Kingdom before returning to California, and her music is a conglomeration of all these components. Her songs excel both musically and lyrically, creating the mood for a lovely, relaxing atmosphere. Margaret’s richly textured voice takes you from the amusing James Taylor-esque "Still 21 In My Head" to the aching "Cry For You" and the R&B-tinged ballad, "I Know You Love Me."
While this talented artist performs on piano and vocals (as well as being a producer), credits go to her ensemble of gifted musicians featuring Charles Waltz (fiddler for the Young Dubliners) on violin and Basil Fung (played on Alanis Morrisette's Jagged Little Pill) on acoustic guitar and he performs as a solist as well. She collaborated with Los Angeles-based producer Randall Michael Tobin at Theta Sound in Burbank.
"Still 21 In My Head" is the signature song on Margaret album and is one of many songs on the album that resonate with the music-loving public in their thirties and up. This song was recently ranked number one in the all-time most requested song group on an internet station based in Florida. Margaret says, "I'm certainly in that category so I can't help writing music that appeals to this audience. And according to Billboard, a huge percentage of record sales are to people over the age of 35, so I figure there’s room for some new, slightly older talent." Her songs from Rain On The Roof have been featured on internet radio stations such as ArtistFirst Radio, NetteRadio, Pandora and many more.
Margaret MacDonald's music is effortless and soulfully expressive. Her pure tone of voice and simple accompaniment is a pleasure to the senses. There is an honesty to her sound that is down-to-earth and unpretentious. Her storytelling on Rain On The Roof is indicative of her sensitivity and passion for her craft that comes through loud and clear. Simply stated, Margaret MacDonald's music touches the heart. (five stars)
http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/digest/digest.php?a=viewr&id=792