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Damaris' latest recording, All Life's Riches, has returned to the more simple and sparse roots of voice, guitar and banjo. However, this CD is far more than 'girl-with-guitar' folk songs. All Life's Riches could easily be considered her strongest album, precisely due to the simplicity which makes room for the bare-bones strength of her songwriting. Damaris continues to challenge herself both as a songwriter and guitar and banjo player. Stylistically she covers a wide range including acoustic blues, ballads and country folk. Her arrangements are simple and strong, leaving the intent of the lyric absolutely accessible. Damaris' isn't a "folk singer" in the traditional sense of the word because her music is widely influenced by acoustic blues, jazz and R&B as well as traditional folk. Her music, however, still fits best into the category of contemporary folk, because it tells stories about who we are and how we get from the proverbial here to there. Her music speaks about life. Damaris writes about her own life experiences, which she says, "aren't necessarily any different or more profound than anyone else's, they're just mine and the music is simply the way I tell my stories". It's this kind of universality that makes Damaris' music so great and appealing to such a wide audience. Damaris' music is strong and unapologetic. Her songs have a raw edge that is balanced with a sense of hope and humor, and always return to the jewel at the center of that thorn in our collective side. Damaris' vocal style is commanding, versatile and clear. She sings with the power of blues, or the dexterity of jazz and still delivers with the straightforward simplicity of modern and traditional folk. Damaris is equally strong as a guitar and Appalachian banjo player. "...Damaris clearly has a lot on her mind when she steps up to the mic. Many of her songs are infused with the issues of confronting desire, hope, mortality, the mutability of love and friendship and the need to live and love fully. She never forgets to entertain, however, which gives her talent a real edge. Whether taking it down low or rocking it out, she puts her all into it. Audiences know this, and respond in kind. The cycle of feedback that ensues is where entertainment meets liberation." Carl Hanni, Freelance Music Review, Mod Media ".... Damaris pulls the listener along a carnival ride of styles, flipping registers and octaves at will. The rhythm is solid and the delivery complete .......Her music stands alone without notable influence, she doesn't sound like Emmy Lou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Nanci Griffith or Tracy Chapman, she sounds like Damaris." Lee Spinks in Review, Tucson Folk Festival "..... Damaris' music is as simple and uncomplicated as you'd like it to be, she will deliver the goods with a style and grace you'll not easily forget." Kelly Kahler, K&K Designs "........Damaris is a beacon of light out of the Arizona desert. Her talents are capable of captivating markets much, much larger than those she's tapped so far. I expect to see and hear great things from this yet to be discovered Arizona talent. I've been proud to present her music at the Arizona Folklore Preserve." Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer 1st Place Winner of the 2002 Tucson Folk Festival Song Writing Competition 2nd Place Winner of the 2001 Tucson Folk Festival Song Writing Competition Top 10 Finalist Tucson Independent Song Writing Competition 2001 Best Female Vocalist New England Tri-State Region 1991 Listeners Selection Top 10 New Folk Artist, WKNH 91.3 FM, college radio station Check out the artist's website: http://www.damarismusic.com Track List: 1. Give It All 2. Face Of Love 3. Whatever Name 4. God's Big Eye 5. A Little Bit Dirty 6. All Life's Riches 7. Ghosts In Love 8. These Hands 9. Shine 10. Like Water Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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