Tina Marzola is not only ready, she's already there. An accomplished songwriter with a gorgeous voice, Marzola (of Dallas, Texas) has produced a fine first CD. Thanks to Marzola's considerable skill as a songwriter, coupled with radio-friendly production from Erik Herbst of the Panhandle House, Marzola's album She's Ready can co-exist comfortably with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Lucinda Williams on CD changers and radio play lists.
Marzola's lyrics are richly detailed with everyday observations that can't help but make you smile, such as "my calico cat and the old Beatle tune that Mama sang by our beds." Her warm, soulful voice embraces the listener, and she's too good a songwriter to lapse into structure less introspection.
Her roots-rock sound is smooth and polished, achieved by a large supporting cast of pros including Herbst on guitars, harmonicas and programming; Stephen Aument on acoustic guitar and piano; David Sims on drums and guitars; Milo Deering on pedal steel, mandolin, dobro and fiddle, and Christopher T. Peake on bass. Marzola plays acoustic guitar as well and, most importantly, wrote all the songs.
At times, despite the professionalism, one can tell that this is an independent and grassroots album. One clue is the liner notes, which are very personal and could strike some people as overly so. However, I found myself really liking Tina and wanting to know her better as a result of her openness. In fact she reminds me, both in style and substance, of Beth Neilson Chapman.
For me, the most successful tracks were the "big" ones -- which may come as a surprise to someone who's given to quiet introspection. "When He Dares to Dance With Fire" sounds like a hit song to me. "Lover's Leap" and "She's Ready" have similar energy. Continuing to aim high -- writing the strongest songs she can -- will continue to increase her following.
I learned from her website that Tina Marzola returned to her musical passion after a serious illness. She's also a mother of four. Challenging and life-affirming experiences like these, coupled with songwriting savvy, can mean great music. After listening to Tina Marzola's first album, I believe she's ready to make even more of it. ---- Joy McKay, Rambles Cultural Magazine
Dallas songwriter Tina Marzuola's first album is a well produced collection of songs about love, life, and relationships, all written with a refreshingly honest and realistic outlook. ---- Jim Lee, Dirty Linen Magazine
There's plenty of potential in this independently produced CD...her style is relaxed and folky--think early Mary Chapin Carpenter with a dash of Joan Baez's world-weariness. ---- Mario Tarradell, Dallas Morning News
Tina Marzola shares a mostly slow, easy singing style on her self-produced album, She's Ready, with a depth in her sincere alto voice that tells us she's actually been there and done that. She writes solid, down-to-earth lyrics about real situations. ----Tom Geddie, Buddy Magazine
Tina Marzola is a songwriter/singer or a singer/songwriter. It is hard to tell. Either way you put it, she's got what it takes to do both. Her lyrics are sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always are both insightful and from the heart. ---- Darin Wakeley, Dallas Music
If this world is divided into doers and viewers, Tina Marzola is one of the rare people to be comfortable in both roles. By listening to the songs of this disc. it is obvious that she's a first-rate observer of those around her. But, she also has strong feelings for the human conditions, feelings that normally only come from getting out and experiencing life. What this produces is a strong slice of life offering that has some small traces of country that will draw positive comparisons with Mary Chapin Carpenter. ---- Rick Teverbaugh, Face The Music
