"We're gonna rise above and break the chains that bound. / We're gonna rise up singing and spread more love around."
This is more than a line in one of Vanessa Lively's songs; it's a statement of purpose in her life.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Vanessa learned to appreciate the hues and vivacity of foreign cultures, developing a sensitivity to diversity that would later stoke her thirst for travel and openness to new experiences. Though she first found her voice in the realms of art and painting - as one may notice from the evocative imagery she wields - music was always on the edge of her palette.
While recording the album Let Me Rise, Lively befriended a traveler from England, named Stefan Pope. Their simple friendship would grow into a professional collaboration as he co-produced Let Me Rise, and, over a year later, invited and housed Vanessa and her husband in his native country to record their next album A Chain Unbroken.
Talented musicians and friends leant their talents and spirits to the full, rich sounds heard on her second album. This album reveals the maturity of Vanessa Lively's folk influences that ground her wholehearted compassion beneath playful pop adornments.
Vanessa's music speaks to dreamers, artists, laborers - all of us alike. She strikes a chord with the root of humanity; poetically elocuting the essence of our life.
User:
vanessalively
| CD Review by Duggan Flanakin |
posted by:vanessalively
2 years ago
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| Vanessa Lively -- "A Chain Unbroken"
Gentleness -- and grace. Vanessa and husband Jason Lively (who plays bass and charango in her band) recently returned from South America, where they traveled about doing good. While in Ecuador they ran into Englishman Stefan Pope, who invited them to England (somewhere along the way, Vanessa had written the beginnings of many of these songs while at Kerrville Folk Festival) -- where they recorded more of this album. Yes, there is an earlier album floating about as well -- much of which she recorded while in Ecuador. Then they came back home to Texas, hooked up with Sick and finished the recording. Released it a few weeks back.
Vanessa hails from San Antonio, is bilingual and bicultural -- and beautiful inside and out. Her concerts are a spiritual experience -- built upon a philosophy espoused in "The Only Day There Is" -- "Looking out the window today / All I see is loads of grey / And I think of yesterday But then again I know that I should be / A little bit of better company / 'Cause there's people right beside me. So I'll look today as the only day there is / 'Cause there's no other way to go through life than this / And I'll be right here in the moment (so) I don't miss / A single thing waiting / Waiting like a kiss."
In the title cut, Vanessa encourages us to "Hold her hand, hold his hand / Reach out and really take a stand / Breath on in to begin / One foot forward is how you start steppin' in / Quiet lies, pass them by / Open hearts, minds to opportunity." The final cut, "Alleluia," is truly an anthem to living for others -- "We're gonna rise above and open up our eyes / We're gonna rise up singing and change each others lives / 'Cause when we reach out and take another's hand / We'll raise our voice together as we walk across this land / And we'll be singing."
And you know what? Start hanging out with people like Jason and Vanessa Lively and you too will be raising your voice in song, letting your own life be transformed as you participate just as vitally in changing the lives of those around you. And, oh by the way, the music is beautiful!
Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.
www.flanfire.blogspot.com
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| Let Her Rise! |
posted by:folkindie
Aug 8, 2007
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| Vanessa Lively's CD, Let Me Rise, is must have music. Not only is it a great debut from an up and coming singer/songwriter, but is a fearless musical portrait of people and places rarely visited. Lively takes you along her personal journey with musicians from all over the world. Recorded in Quito, Ecuador by Pablo Arias, it also features her husband, Jason Lively, on the Charango. You will be glad you bought this cd and you make the world a better place when you support music like this. Leaving Salinas and Let Me Rise, the title track, are two of my favs. Happy listening, people. --Kelli King
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| Let Her Rise! |
posted by:folkindie
Aug 8, 2007
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| Vanessa Lively's CD, Let Me Rise, is must have music. Not only is it a great debut from an up and coming singer/songwriter, but is a fearless musical portrait of people and places rarely visited. Lively takes you along her personal journey with musicians from all over the world. Recorded in Quito, Ecuador by Pablo Arias, it also features her husband, Jason Lively, on the Charango. You will be glad you bought this cd and you make the world a better place when you support music like this. Leaving Salinas and Let Me Rise, the title track, are two of my favs. Happy listening, people. --by Kelli King
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| amazing |
posted by:aurora
Jul 12, 2007
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| vanessa lively is a fantastic singer/songwriter. I love the lyrics to her songs, especialmente las canciones en espanol.
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