Marisa Yeaman

Marisa Yeaman is with 'Voices From the Underground', in good company in the March edition of the Euro Americana Chart. Only Gurf Morlix, Buddy Miller and Lucinda Williams score better in the Top 5, and there we find the Australian singer - songwriter - currently residing in the Netherlands - an achievement most could certainly live with. Marisa's new self - produced album is clearly introspective inspiration and the lovely woman introduces us with the opening track 'Warm Night in Austin' about her quest for finding musical simpatico in Austin, she follows it with 'Straggler in the Human Race' a bare bones take on how it feels to be an artist at times driven by a quick buck mentality illustrated beautifully.

'Road Case Blues' - with Matty Vehl / piano & Dave steel / lead guitar - about the life of an artist on the road at the end of a concert tour longing for her lover on the home front ... "Every bar I play one bar is closer to you" as long as one survives the scene of the smoke and dark feelings of 'Nighthawks Lament'. Marisa Yeaman with 'Voices from the Underground' - as with its predecessors 'Pure Motive' ('06), 'Roadmap Heart' ('08) - does not cover everyday home, garden, kitchen tales, but dares to go deeper into story songs like 'Galileo', 'Nightingale' and 'Montmartre Tonight' broaching themes and issues that not many currently discuss, as you know .... Marisa Yeaman on the contrary, succeeds with the help some of Australia's finest musicians in showing that we can give the world something more positive, and she also has a solution to the soaring fuel prices, 'Love Will Keep Me Warm' (with Garrett Costigan on pedal steel) ....( SWA) - Beale Street- Belgium

FOUR STARS - "Thoughtful narratives and vocals that appeal to the soul - Marisa Yeaman's songs easily translate into words of wisdom..." - MAVERICK UK

FOUR STARS - "Thoughtful narratives and vocals that appeal to the soul - Marisa Yeaman's songs easily translate into words of wisdom..." - MAVERICK UK

When Melbourne native Marisa Yeaman surfaced six years ago with her debut "Pure Motive" (2005 - see review), I knew that someday she would deliver an album that deserves the title of masterpiece. With the next album "Roadmap Heart" (2008 - see review) she came pretty close immediately. "Roadmap Heart" proved a versatile album with influences from country, rock, folk and blues, a blend of catchy songs combined with depth and passion. Why "Roadmap Heart" was not widely picked up, I still do not understand, but now three years later with "Voices From The Underground" Marisa Yeaman brings a new opportunity. Let me just say that "Voices From The Underground" is the masterpiece that I predicted a few years ago. You don’t necessarily notice that immediately because Marisa Yeaman continues to play pure easy-on-the-ear-Americana that, at first listen, just seems to ripple onwards. Upon a closer listen to this album, it strikes you that with "Voices From The Underground" everything is correct.

Country is the basis, but like on "Roadmap Heart" Marisa Yeaman takes excursions into other genres. Yeaman moves across genres as easy as she travels through time. One moment you're in the middle of the year 1960, the next moment, the music of this Australian is firmly in the present. After travelling all over the world, Yeaman now lives in the Netherlands. Her life story is like a long journey, a journey which began when she was four when her parents sold their house and took to a caravan, to explore Australia extensively. Yeaman learned much of what she knows on the road and many of her songs are about travel. The opener on this album 'Warm Night in Austin' shows at once that this time around is no exception. This song describes perfectly what it is like to be a foreigner in the Texas city.

Her song writing is astounding, for that reason "Voices From The Underground" completely blows your socks off. Yeaman serves us twelve great singer-songwriter songs, stories of ordinary people in different countries, and how these characters being outsiders or misfits really stand in this world. Songs that prompt the listener also to ask questions. Listen to the songs such as "Galileo", "Nightingale" and "Montmartre Tonight", songs about people who in this world have made some important developments. Yeaman raises it all, What are we without art?, and how we make sense of our lives in this world that so often driven by consumerism? Yeaman suggests it is all in question with an honesty that touches us all.

Guest contributions include multi-instrumentalist Dave Steel who has been playing with her since her debut album, among several others. Musically it all sounds great and amazingly versatile. Country may perhaps be the basis for the music on this album, but Marisa Yeaman and the musicians that she gathered on this record draw strongly from folk, blues and rock. The pleasant sounding vocals are a constant factor on "Voices From The Underground". Like it's predecessor to hear the music on this album is enjoyable and accessible, yet the music is of quality and expressiveness. Marisa Yeaman has the ability to take the listener off the beaten track immediately without you noticing. Revealing to you a beautiful picture which develops more and more as you listen. A record that deserves the title of masterpiece in all respects. A must for lovers of the best female singer-songwriters of the moment. - Rootstime - Belgium

When Melbourne native Marisa Yeaman surfaced six years ago with her debut "Pure Motive" (2005 - see review), I knew that someday she would deliver an album that deserves the title of masterpiece. With the next album "Roadmap Heart" (2008 - see review) she came pretty close immediately. "Roadmap Heart" proved a versatile album with influences from country, rock, folk and blues, a blend of catchy songs combined with depth and passion. Why "Roadmap Heart" was not widely picked up, I still do not understand, but now three years later with "Voices From The Underground" Marisa Yeaman brings a new opportunity. Let me just say that "Voices From The Underground" is the masterpiece that I predicted a few years ago. You don’t necessarily notice that immediately because Marisa Yeaman continues to play pure easy-on-the-ear-Americana that, at first listen, just seems to ripple onwards. Upon a closer listen to this album, it strikes you that with "Voices From The Underground" everything is correct.

Country is the basis, but like on "Roadmap Heart" Marisa Yeaman takes excursions into other genres. Yeaman moves across genres as easy as she travels through time. One moment you're in the middle of the year 1960, the next moment, the music of this Australian is firmly in the present. After travelling all over the world, Yeaman now lives in the Netherlands. Her life story is like a long journey, a journey which began when she was four when her parents sold their house and took to a caravan, to explore Australia extensively. Yeaman learned much of what she knows on the road and many of her songs are about travel. The opener on this album 'Warm Night in Austin' shows at once that this time around is no exception. This song describes perfectly what it is like to be a foreigner in the Texas city.

Her song writing is astounding, for that reason "Voices From The Underground" completely blows your socks off. Yeaman serves us twelve great singer-songwriter songs, stories of ordinary people in different countries, and how these characters being outsiders or misfits really stand in this world. Songs that prompt the listener also to ask questions. Listen to the songs such as "Galileo", "Nightingale" and "Montmartre Tonight", songs about people who in this world have made some important developments. Yeaman raises it all, What are we without art?, and how we make sense of our lives in this world that so often driven by consumerism? Yeaman suggests it is all in question with an honesty that touches us all.

Guest contributions include multi-instrumentalist Dave Steel who has been playing with her since her debut album, among several others. Musically it all sounds great and amazingly versatile. Country may perhaps be the basis for the music on this album, but Marisa Yeaman and the musicians that she gathered on this record draw strongly from folk, blues and rock. The pleasant sounding vocals are a constant factor on "Voices From The Underground". Like it's predecessor to hear the music on this album is enjoyable and accessible, yet the music is of quality and expressiveness. Marisa Yeaman has the ability to take the listener off the beaten track immediately without you noticing. Revealing to you a beautiful picture which develops more and more as you listen. A record that deserves the title of masterpiece in all respects. A must for lovers of the best female singer-songwriters of the moment. - Rootstime - Belgium

Marisa combines a lyrical and assertive voice and guitar to her original folk and bluesy compositions that is particularly refreshing and effortlessly charismatic. Her easy confident manner with the audience is engaging and all her sets were enthusiastically received. We hope she comes back in 2011. - Festival Organiser

1 - Heaven Netherlands 2009

We have to wait for the official release date of Marisa Yeaman's new album 'Roadmap Heart'. At the time of writing this article the album has not been released, but my enthusiasm abounds. Music lovers who know her former album,'Pure Motive', will not be disappointed by this new work. In my opinion, Marisa has forged a true place as a quality music artist. The track named 'Leaves', a live track, is a masterpiece. The piano playing by Matthew Vehl, (Chuck Jenkins & the Swedish Cowboys) is superb. Australia is an excellent breeding ground for singer songwriters, to name a few Cyndi Boste, Kasey Chambers and Sarah McGregor. Marisa's new album matches any of these. A brilliant Australian product that is beautifully produced, 'Roadmap Heart' will end up being a number one smash Americana hit. - Rootsville - belgium

Maverick Magazine - UK 2009 FOUR STARS
"Heartfelt and honest, a roots based and lyrically strong second album. Amsterdam Rain is a pure lyrical delight. A record that grows and grows in stature with each hearing". See full review at www.marisayeaman.com - Maverick UK

"Is she a roots, folk or country singer? Does it really matter as to me Marisa Yeaman is the epitome of a young but veteran singer/songwriter.
From 'Roadmap Heart's opening track through to the final track, 'Mantra' ( an obvious anthem for Marisa's love of India) this album exudes confidence and incredible lyrics.
'Dirty hands' is a track that many people will be able to relate to and its topic is so well written one wonders how Marisa could turn this into a song, but she has.
'Amsterdam Rain' could only have been written by someone who has been there, but the strength of this song lies in Marisa's ability to transfer that City and its environment straight to the listener. Sheer brilliance.It is like standing in an art gallery and admiring the works of the old masters.
This album is an art in itself, full of wonderful works that can be viewed and interpreted in many different ways, thus making it a very personal one.
Marisa's live work (of which two tracks appear on this album) has to be seen to be believed. The skillful guitar playing, the resonance of her voice and her very presence have the ability to draw anyone in.
'Roadmap Heart' deserves to be on every playlist in this country or will we have to see Marisa gain her due recognition overseas and then and only then will we say 'she's one - Tony Bates Highlands FM Australia

For full review see: www.marisayeaman.com - Highlands FM

For full review see: www.marisayeaman.com - Roots Highway - ITALY

For full review see: www.marisayeaman.com - Highlands FM

Marisa Yeaman is a young Australian singer/songwriter, and after three EPs, this is her first full-length venture. With less than half of the disc's content employing her band, Pure Motive is a showcase of the artist as she initially earned her chops: a girl, her guitar, and her songs, hitting the festivals, clubs, and pubs across the expanse of Oz. Somewhere along the way she tagged up with guitarist and sometime co-writer, Andrew Pendlebury, who also lends occasional vocal enhancement to complement a voice that is predominantly gentle and melodious, at times almost torchy, as in 'Lonely Puppet'. The duo generates a sound that is unique and complex in its apparent simplicity, but there's more depth here than initially meets the ear. Yeaman's not a rocker by any means, but, when she decides to cut it a bit loose, there's an edge surfacing that has the hallmark of, say, a Joni Mitchell, or, more precisely, Mary Chapin Carpenter, in her Shooting Straight in the Dark days; for that matter, 'Vacant Sign' would fit right into that CD's groove in every sense. With lyrics the likes of reading: "Some things in life can be easily defined; but love and danger draw a thin line", she has that essential ability to present a concept or feeling in the most precise package possible, saying, to paraphrase an old quote, 'the mostest, with the leastest'. Now that's the hallmark of good songwriting.
Don Grant www.freighttrainboogie.com

- Freight Train Boogie - USA

Eccentric touches bring this self-produced Australian to life. Intriguing, this somehow seems immediately Australian and has the same feel as the work of Ed Kuepper or The Triffids, the same sound that seems to exist on the edge of a great nothingness, suggestive of wide-open spaces. The mainstream is the twinkling lights in the distance, though she seems to avoid the easy track at every turn. The guitar break in 'Vacant Sign' is more like the sputtering sparkly mess of leaky neon than aspiring to five star comforts.

The songs themselves, like the novels of Tim Winton, seem to be hewn from a specific sense of place, one that is universal but nonetheless rooted - 'No Fences' suggests miles of red dust rather than just being a trite metaphor. Her guitar style is one that always avoids the commonplace - why play chords in the same old ways when you can find new constellations? It helps to keep things interesting. Her voice isn't something that will seduce you - you won't want fall in love with it and the record positions you to admire it rather than embrace it. She brings out the piano for the powerful 'My Funny Valentine' alike 'Lonely Puppet' and here she tickles as many of the black keys as the white.

Her appeal is quite difficult to dissect: I think it is mainly in her stubbornness to make the songs sound like she wants them to - a producer or record company would shave off these rough edges. 'Another Day' has all the elements of a Nashville blockbuster, a lovely melody, elegant washes of pedal steel and a guitar break that is slightly off-key: the elements stack up precariously, you expect the whole thing to crumble but what the songs lack in elegance of construction they make up for with rugged charm.
David Cowling
- Americana UK

It does not happen too often that we receive a new female songwriter from Australia. Nevertheless, they are very interesting songs on this CD. I can only remember Kasey Chambers, Audrey Auld and Penelope Swales. Now the pleasant surprise of Marisa Yeaman turns up.

'Pure Motive' is her first full length album after the local exposure of three previous EP's, that I suspect are no longer available. Marisa has been brought up with great influences like Cat Stevens, Jackson Browne, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Simon & Garfunkle. But I also suspect female songwriters like Carole King, Carly Simon, Ricki Lee Jones and Joni Mitchell, as some influence can be heard in her music.

Marisa's family house was sold when she was four years old, and they travelled around Australia in a caravan. Those circumstances can be found in her songs, there are quite a few road/travel songs on 'Pure Motive'.

Very important for her musical career was a meeting with Andrew Pendlebury who is co-writer of five of the thirteen songs on this CD and co-producer also. He is described by Marisa, as 'my second voice'. Part of the songs are only presented with piano and acoustic guitar, such as Lonely Puppet, King Tide, Little Girl Lost and the delightful finisher Gasoline & Fire. Four very clever songs.

Other high points are No Fences which is already featured on an Australian sampler, the bluesy Nightskin with Dobro guitar and Harmonica played by Dave Steel, and also Holy Water. In addition to guitar Marisa also plays accordion on some of the songs, Ed Bates playing the great country instrument Pedal Steel is evident. Despite these sounds, we cannot speak of country music in this case. No, this is a very beautiful pure songwriters CD with a spread of acoustic songs. The beauty is in it's simplicity. I hope the good word spreads and that she becomes better known, it is rumoured that she will tour the Netherlands next year. We hope she does not forget to bring Andrew Pendlebury with her.
Ben van Hoegaerden
- Mazz Musikas - Belgium