Nicole Lisa Craig (formerly Nicole Coward)

With the approach of the August 23rd release of the Strong Enough For Love EP by Nicole Coward I grow anxious for the public to enjoy the same musical poetry and simple story telling in song that I have always enjoyed by this beautiful Songbird. Following Nicole’s career over the last year has been an absolute joy for me as a writer, a musician and a woman. Fearless in her commitment to her art and integrity as an artist. Unapologetic in her decision to keep her music simple and expressive. A role model for women everywhere as a true example that you don’t have to sex it or shock it to share it with the world and make it have a strong impact.

Beautiful Flower is gripping, haunting and powerful. An expression of the fragility and the endurance of womanhood. Night-Time Sunshine is a sweet and fanciful offering that shares how it’s the simple things that make life and love beautiful. Pussywillows Cat-tails for me is a shining example of her folk roots. As a Canadian girl I spent many of my formative lnicole 1istening to many Gordon Lightfoot folk songs. Her lovely rendition of this song is reminiscent of some of those cultural gems I enjoyed as a child. Seasons proves that a voice, an instrument and something to say is enough. A gloriously pure and simple pleasure. Through My Window, another melodic poetic piece that brings peace to the mind and the soul while listening.

nicole with guitarThe title track Strong Enough For Love is my favourite track on the EP and the stand out, stand alone, stand strong song. The poetry is moving and meaningful. Easy to identify with on a very personal level. The music brings the rich folk history into the 21st century in a comfortable and compatible way. Rich in tradition, it still has an essence of contemporary that makes a wonderful variation to modern music. Oh, and I love singing along. Who doesn’t love a song that makes you just want to sing along.


Nicole Coward’s EP Strong Enough For Love is an overall breath of restorative fresh air. - Rogue Music Zine

Nicole ‘Songbird’ Coward is releasing her upcoming EP entitled “Strong Enough for Love” in the next few weeks. Nicole is a Folk Singer/songwriter from Toronto, Canada. I am humbled to have been asked to listen first to the EP and review it from my perspective. Immediately upon listening to the first track ‘Beautiful Flower’… will have you lost in the moment. ‘A beautiful flower cannot last forever.’ Is this a metaphor for the cycle of life? We are born, we live, we die, we are returned to earth. The longing for immortality with attributes to the late Karen Carpenter. On ‘Night-Time Sunshine’, Songbird brings up the tempo a bit from the previous track. It is a short melody about the appreciation of each day. A prelude to a lover’s heart. This song reminds me of Loreena McKennit – ‘The Mummbers’ Dance.’ ‘Pussywillows Cat-Tails’ is a song written by Gordon Lightfoot. Nicole brings this song to life with her soft tones and melodic harmonies which resonate deeply within. She knocks this song out of the ball-park ‘Strong Enough for Love’ Songbird’s voice is simply amazing and heart-felt on this title track. It evokes a sound from 1960’s. It is here where you can feel the influence by female vocalists of the 60’s like Joan Baez and June Collins. ‘Seasons’ is another ballad that is soft and rich with lyrical content. Again, the hint to the circle of life is heard in a sensuous harmony bliss. Lastly, ‘Through My window’ is easily my favorite track on her new EP. This song is about how people come in and out of our lives. ‘Through My Window’ is telling us a story. We see people come in and out of our lives all time. It’s like looking through a window. A window of time. A window of Change. Some folks leave a lasting impression, some just drift away. In short, Songbird should be on a stage in front of thousands of folks sharing her music with them. She has a flame that won’t burn out. Her voice will carry on. When I look through my window, I see time slipping away. The circle of life. We are born, we live, we learn, we die. We are returned to the earth from which we came. ——> Review Written by Aaron D. Young of Hangout Records. - Hangout Records