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Jewelry Designer and Folk Vocalist
Buy Mara's Gems CD here
Hi!
I still don't have the CD on line for digital download, so please call me at 732-549-9722 or e-mail at mblevine1@juno.com to order a hard copy. Besides, don't you want the cool booklet with all the pictures of my beautiful jewelry?
It will be $15 plus $2 shipping. or $17
You can send a check to me at PO box 2057, Edison, NJ 08818.
Reviews
"Jewelry maker Mara Levine has titled her new album Mara's Gems. But the true gem on this debut CD is Mara herself, with her crystal clear voice, subtle vibrato, and skillful way with a melody line. The songs, strung together like the care-worn precious stones on your grandmother's necklace, are (as a wine critic might say) rich with notes of sterling silver, amethyst, mother of pearl and smoky quartz, with a smooth, sweet finish. Like Mara's jeweled creations, this is music lovingly crafted, and made to be worn on any occasion."
Si Kahn, Singer/Songwriter and Activist, Author of "Wild Rose of the Mountain"
"I enjoyed your CD, nice singing and a good wide range of songs. I
thought your version of "Leaving The Land" was especially good!" Eric Bogle, songwriter and author of "Leaving the Land"
“Mara: Just a brief note to tell you that your CD is just a wonderful piece of work and I was delighted to be able to play it on my program. What a great sound and wonderful voice… so many CDs come in and, while I know it is subjective, your voice and the selection of songs just jumped out at me. Really well done.”
Bill Hahn producer/host Traditions / Sunday Simcha WFDU FM, Teaneck, NJ
“On "Mara's Gems" the real diamond is Mara's voice, and the twelve gems (songs) that provide the setting for this diamond only add to its luster….It's so nice to get a CD where the singer didn't feel compelled to write all of the songs. The whole essence of the folk tradition is that singers receive songs from other singers and then help pass them along.”
Art Dean, Folk DJ “Traditions” WCNI FM, New London Ct
“I absolutely love your CD! The music is not over produced (something that I really appreciate) and the feel of your music is vibrant, warm, and very lyrical. You have a wonderful voice too! I also appreciate the booklet art very much. Your jewelry is gorgeous!"
Maggie Ferguson, Folk DJ “The Old Front Porch Radio Show”on WXOU Auburn Hills, Oakland University Radio
"Mara's Gems" is indeed a Gem, with songs written by Eric Bogle, Si Kahn, Tom Paxton, and Leonard Cohen just to name a few, and all are done in the best fashion! For her first album, Mara Levine is off to a great start!" Norm Whitman--Detours--WYSO-FM
“Mara clearly put her heart and soul into this recording. It’s obvious she has a knack for choosing great songs and presenting them in an intimate and personable way….Thanks for sending these gems out into the world!”
Joe Crookston, Singer/Songwriter and 2008 winner of the International Folk Alliance "Album of the Year" award.
"I get a lot of CDs from independent artists and Mara's Gems was a pleasant surprise. A great selection of songs, quality musicianship and production and with Mara's full, rich, soothing voice, this CD makes a great addition to my radio show"..................................................
Michael Stock, Folk DJ
WLRN Radio
Miami, FL
“Mara's Gems is one of my favorites of the CDs that were sent to WRPI in the past month or so! Great song choices and a great job covering them! I played two songs from it on my show tonight and plan to play more in the future. Also we have a binder where the DJs make notes of CDs they recommend for other DJs to play, and it was one of three CDs that I wrote about there.”
Terry Hayden, Folk DJ , "Mostly Folk" WRPI Troy, NY
"I loved the CD, it is great to receive a CD where I like every song and over the coming weeks you will receive a lot of air play on my show.
Very best wishes." Danny Watson, Folk DJ 2MAX FM 91.3 Narrabri NSW AUSTRALIA
“Hi Mara.... Your CD is beautiful - the music and the package with your amazing jewelry photos! I could sure see the "labor of love". You picked some great songs...I will definitely play more. Thanks for sending it and keep in touch for future projects.”
Laurie Desjardins, Folk DJ , "New Brick Road" KVMR FM Nevada City CA
"Hi, Mara. I've only played your CD once so far, but I definitely will continue to program it over the next several months. It features several songs that I truly love, and you've done a very nice job with them. Your jewelry making drew my attention. My sister makes and sells jewelry, so that caught my eye. I will tell you this - only once in a while do I get specific comments on the new artists that I play, but one listener sent me a note commenting specifically on your song. (Raise the dead of Wintertime) I'll copy her comment so you can see for yourself: "...in fact I just heard Mara Levine -- what a beautiful voice & song & recording!" Jimmie Wilson, Folk DJ "Roll Away The Dew", WRUW, Cleveland, Ohio
“ Dear Mara, Your CD is an absolute pleasure. (I would say gem, but that would be a truism!) You give great renditions of many of my favorite songs (I'm a product of the 60's). The more obscure ones are a pleasant surprise. Your jewelry is beautiful too! Many thanks for a great album.” Menachem Vinegrad, Folk DJ -WorldWaves Radio Upper Galilee Israel 105.3 FM
“Hi Mara, I like the CD very much. You've chosen several songs that are among my favorites. You sing well and the arrangements are appropriately straightforward and very tasteful. I plan to play "Stepstone" on my next show.” Ray Baumler, Folk DJ "A VARIETY OF FOLK" WRUR 88.5 Rochester, NY (Already played Carpenter and Wild Rose)
"Hi Mara, I am listening to "Mara's Gems" and I am pleased to say that it is
really good.... My favourite songs are - Wild Rose of the Mountain, John O'Dreams, The Sweetest Gift, If I Needed You, Leaboy's Lassie and Leaving the Land...the overall quality of the recording and overall musicianship is better than most CDs I get. I think you will do well with it at Folk Alliance."........................................
Michael Stock, WLRN Radio Miami, FL
"Mara - Your CD was delightful. I hadn't realized what a fine voice you have...good luck with the CD!
John Dull, JMH Dull Productions
"Hi Mara, I have enjoyed your CD. It has such a fantastic nostalgic sound and you have a beautiful voice. My favorite is The Firefly Field. Thanks for sharing" . Jenny Goodspeed, singer songwriter
"Mara's Gems" - The crystalline beauty of Mara's voice is
beautifully captured on this excellent CD. A great listening treat!" Tom Liguori, Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
"Mara Levine's new CD, "Mara's Gems", is a delight. The rich yet simple settings highlight Mara's lovely, pure voice and wonderful diction--you can understand every word. The instrumental introductions to the songs, which include a nice variety of new and traditional pieces, are extremely effective as are the harmony vocals. This CD is indeed a gem for any lover of folk music." Marian and Jeff Freedman
“The Belles Trio are simply beautiful with lovely voices and lovingly chosen songs, which they bring to life together in sweet and intricate harmonies”!
Sally Campbell (of the People’s Voice Cafe’), June 6, 2007
“The Belles Trio are a very talented trio of 3 lovely singers/musicians who
harmonize beautifully. I had the pleasure of seeing their show at the Perking Latte on 7/23/06, and had a wonderful time. The special guests who perform with them are equally talented and add richness to their music. Particularly enjoyable is that they change up their mix of singers, players and leads, leaving the audience with a new experience with each song. Their song selections range from old traditionals, modern standards and originals so they appeal to people of all ages and interests. I thoroughly enjoyed their show!” Maria Lynd
“Going to the (annual Sisterhood) dinner with 'entertainment' can sometimes be a dud. I must tell you how captivated I was by your group(The Belles Trio). Your singing was incredible. I loved the harmonies. I could understand each word you sang. I asked for the lyrics of some songs because they moved me so much.... I was in a trance listening to you. Thank you for a most enjoyable evening.”
Susan Machover, Treasurer, Temple Beth-El, Somerset, December 16, 2007
"I first met Mara and her singing partner Caroline Cutroneo at the Philadelphia Folksong Society's Spring Thing a few years ago. Watching and listening to the duo on stage, I knew I was seeing something special. They sang timeless folk classics, and originals that felt timeless...and they could have moved as easily in song circles in 1960 as they do in 2006. In March of 2006 they appeared at the Songwriter's Roundtable that I host, and made a whole room full of people feel good. Mara and Caroline have lent their voices and harmonies to many fine recordings, as songwriters along the Northern East Coast have discovered how beautiful those harmonies can be."
Steve Quelet, Singer/Songwriter and host of the Genessee Songwriters Roundtable Dec 29, 2006
“The Spook Handy Trio - Folk Ensemble Polished Harmonizing on Memorable Tunes”
“Spook Handy has performed over 3000 concerts in his 23 years of performances… A score of renowned musicians, including Pete Seeger, cover his songs, and he's been named "Best Folk Artist of the Year" by at least one magazine. Mr. Handy's folk, blues, bluegrass, and rock influences come together in strong vocals with his signature crisp guitar and plaintive harmonica. His trio is among the tightest in the land. Spook and his group are a musical experience not to be missed. Learn more at www.spookhandy.com" John Irving, Café’ Improv TV show in Princeton:
"Mara Levine stepped in to a performance with no rehearsal and made magic with my songs. Her voice is so diverse it lends itself to any type of song or emotional range. She's on the top of my list for harmony singers, when up in NJ/NY!" Bob Sima 2/16/09
"Mara Levine brings a lot to the singer's table: a perceptive ear, good musical instincts, and of course that lovely voice, made to harmonize with others. She is also a professional and a real team player. She prepares each song with care and delivers consistently strong performances, always serving the song. She is rock-solid: she comes on time, ready to go, and makes it look easy."Pat Wictor 11/30/07
“Mara Levine has joined me many times on stage, and each time we sing I am impressed all over again by her attention and service to the songs and to the performance. Her voice and harmonies add just the right touch, and it shows in her voice and her face just how much she loves music. It is not an overstatement to say that Mara Levine is a consummate professional musician. "Hey Mara, You are da' goods!' “
Arlon Bennet, 10/30/07
“Mara Levine has an wonderful sense of harmony and a excellent sound whether she is singing lead vocals or blending with other voices. Her highly professional approach, strong attention to detail and preparedness make her one of the best singers in the field. It's a joy to sing with her.”
Spook Handy, 9/19/07
Biography
Mara was raised in Central New Jersey. Mara sang in high school with friends. She graduated from Rutgers with an Undergrad in Forestry and She managed Thomas Sweets in Princeton for a few years and developed a passion for good ice cream. She tried her hand at Barbershop as a member of the Millstone Valley Sweet Adelines for about 2 years and studied voice for 1 1/2 years with Virginia Bachalis of Lawrenceville, NJ. In New Jersey she then formed a folk group called "Us 5" with Marie Elena, Dave Knapp, Joy Blodgett and Richard Roy. The group played together for less than a year, then Mara moved to PA, Marie moved to California, and Joy moved to Georgia in 1991.
Mara lived and worked near Scranton PA for 9 years before returning to New Jersey in 2000.
She received a Masters in Human Resources Administration from the University of Scranton. Her last career was as a Trainer/Facilitator/HR person and she worked for Time Warner and then for Harris Semiconductor in that capacity while living in PA.
Mara was an active member of the Northeast PA Folklore society while in PA. In PA she briefly performed with a group called the Shrinks - with herself(a conflict resolution facilitator), a Psychologist, a Clinical Social Worker and a Psychiatrist. She then joined the Philadelphia Folksong society, and through contacts there was a member of two groups - Three Bean Salad(With Geri Brooks and Harris Beiberfeld) and Premium Blend(with Marie Elena, Terry Rivel and Howard Berkowitz).
Mara Levine started her Jewelry design business in 2001 . She enjoys doing custom work for her clients and has a very busy jewelry show schedule in the spring and in the fall. She tries to perform as much as possible in the summer, and in January and February.
She especially enjoys harmonizing and currently performs with MarieElena and Caroline Cutroneo as "The Belles Trio"(With Terry Rivel,accompanied by Rusty and Jan and Ken Ficara, and sometimes with Al Sklar and James Brennan), occasionally with Caroline Cutroneo as "Jewels and Harmony”, periodically with Bob Wright's group "Harbortown Review" as a supporting vocalist and more recently as a back up singer for Silas Knight and the Brooklyn Horns, as a harmony vocalist for Arlon Bennett , Terry Rivel and Terry Kitchen. Mara has been touring with the Spook Handy Trio for about 2 1/2 years and is really enjoying the experiences with Spook and Dennis Mcdonough. She has also supported Pat Wictor and Barry and Brooks.
Mara has lent her voice to harmony vocals on several CDs, including Bob Wright's "Harbortown", Jim Indell's "Can I Sleep Here Tonight", Terry Rivel's original compositions featured on the Barrington Coffeehouse anthology "Wide Open Mike", and most recently Spook Handy’s “Watcha Gonna Do”.
She released a CD called Mara's Gems on October 12, 2008. The CD is a compilation of folk cover tunes. Most of the CD was recorded with Manny Krevat at his studio in North Carolina, with one song recorded by Dan Gaus in PA and one song by Bob Harris at Ampersand Records in Bridgewater NJ. She sings most of the harmony vocals on the CD, and is joined by Spook Handy and Marie Elena on "Wild Rose Of the Mountain" , Pat Wictor and Cheryl Prashker on a duet of "If I Were a Carpenter" and by Dan Gaus on "Leaving the Land". See more details about the CD on her blog, and listen to some of the songs on the player! To purchase the CD, contact Mara directly at mblevine1@juno.com or call 732-549-9722
Check the schedule for upcoming jewelry shows and performances.
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