Liz is the lead singer of the band Annalivia.
Other bandmates are:
Flynn Cohen-- guitar and vocals
Stuart Kenney-- double bass and claw hammer banjo
Brendan Carey Block-- fiddle
Emerald Rae-- fiddle, clogging, and vocals
Liz plays guitar and sings in band Long Time Courting.
Other bandmates are:
Shannon Heaton-- flute, whistles, accordion, and vocals
Ellery Klein-- fiddle and vocals
Ari Friedman-- cello and vocals
Liz is now also singing in a duo with Hannah Sanders.
Influences
I know I am leaving some out, but these are women singers who have inspired me in one way or another, and/or who I just enjoy listening to: Dolores Keane, Anne Briggs, June Tabor, Jancqui McShee, Billie Holiday, Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh, Roisín White, Antoinette McKenna, Joan Baez, Karan Casey, Mary Dillon, Maíre Brennan, Alison Krauss, Jean Ritchie, Norah Jones, Tríona Ni Dhomhnaill, Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin, Karen Matheson, Niamh Parsons, Linda Thompson, Sheila Kay Adams, Kate Rusby, Madeleine Peyroux, Bessie Smith. I also like guy singers like Mark Knopfler, Paul Brady, Richard Thompson, Nic Jones and Micheál O'Dhomnaill.
Liz grew up in a musical family, and her background is classical, folk, and rock. She loves to sing traditional ballads and folk songs, as well as contemporary material and Old Time. She has performed with John Whelan, North Cregg, The Sevens, Karan Casey, Aoife Clancy, and The Chagrin River Band. She is currently part of the N. Mass./S. New Hampshire based band Annalivia. She released her first solo album in 2006, entitled "The Whole World Round". Annalivia has their first album available on their myspace page: myspace.com/annaliviamusic. They have just added Emerald Rae as the fifth member of the band. Liz is now also part of a new project called Long Time Courting with Shannon Heaton, Ellery Klein (formerly of Gaelic Storm), and Ari Friedman (The Hanneke Cassel trio): www.myspace.com/longtimecourting.
"When I first heard Liz sing I was deeply struck by the beauty of her voice. She is blessed with a tender way of singing that draws you closer to her and into the drama of the song." -Karan Casey
"It isn't every day you come across a singer with such heartfelt depth until you listen to the voice of Liz Simmons." -Aoife Clancy
"Liz Simmons is a honey-voiced singer from Boston who's reminiscent of Karan Casey, with whom she has studied. "The Whole World Round" is a sterling collection of British Isles and American songs, most set in straightforward acoustic arrangements based on guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. Whether interpreting a romping old Scottish tale like "Come All Ye Lonely Lovers", singing the Irish ballad "The Maid of Culmore" unaccompanied, or adding accordion to Tracy Chapman's "I Used To Be a Sailor" to give it a thoroughly traditional feel, Simmons sings with winsome ease and genuine feeling. Her harmonious duet with guitarist Flynn Cohen (who co-arranged the disc) on Richard Thompson's wistful "Farewell, Farewell" is a fine new version of a classic song."
-Tom Nelligan, Dirty Linen Magazine
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hiya Liz, thanks very much for the invite. I wont be able to make it to your gig this time round.. but i'd love to hear you perform someday for sure! Best wishes.. Ro. :)
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD, WE DID IT. ABSINTHE ROSE IS ON ITUNES! HELP US OUT IF YOU GOT 2 BUCKS OR WRITE A REVIEW ON THE ITUNES THAT IS FREE AND IS WELCOMED!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Oh yeah, definitely cool. Maybe some Sunday if we all wind up in Ayer we can do a "Dixie Chicks Tribute" -- you can be Natalie, Flynn'll be Emily, I'll be Martie...or something.
So Liz, in honor of your performance of "Cowboy, Take Me Away" at the O'Donovans Friday night, I was inspired to listen to Dixie Chicks' "Wide Open Spaces" on the way home from playing the Ayer session with Emmy today.
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; "Broken-roofed buildings" are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
