Search - Elaine Mahon :: Rise

With the long anticipated release of her second CD RISE, Elaine Mahon showcases a new collection of finely-crafted songs through which hope, wonder and the resilience of the human spirit emerge as common themes. Both a childhood spent roaming the woods and beaches of North Central Florida and an education which culminated in a Ph.D in Astronomy inform Elaine Mahon's sensibilities as a writer and lend an authentic voice to the poetic imagery in her songs. Employing captivating melodies rich with harmonic nuance, Mahon's clear, expressive voice delivers her songs straight from the heart. What results could be described as an engaging synthesis of Joni Mitchell's melodicism, Nanci Griffith's storytelling, and Kate Wolf's regard for nature and folk spiritualism. Though the songs on RISE are remarkably varied in subject matter and cover a broad range of experience, they are beautifully tied together by the thematic threads running through them. Mahon's deep appreciation for life on Earth and her joy in living it are clearly reflected in the opening and closing tracks of RISE: Rise Up Singing and Give it Up. Both are celebratory and anthemic, climaxing with rich vocal harmony arrangements courtesy of multiple Grammy nominee Penny Nichols. A keen observer, Mahon's attunement with the natural world is especially evident in the songs One by One, This Garden Place, Rio and the a cappella number Six Pelicans in which she employs poetic imagery to paint her vivid physical and emotional landscapes. Equally at home as a storyteller, Elaine's richly detailed stories (whether personal, historical or mythological) are carried convincingly along by engaging and often haunting melodies. Songs like Dust Tracks in the Road, Rio, The Selkie Bride, 56 Chevy and Calusa (a co-write with Nashville songwriter Lisa Aschmann) nicely exemplify Mahon's talent as a storyteller. Ever imaginative and inquisitive Elaine also explores, with playfulness and intensity, the informative power of dreams in her songs Rabbit Hole and Honey Tree, invoking the suggestive power of vocal and instrumental arrangements involving cello, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Last but not least RISE includes three achingly beautiful songs of resilience and hope, love songs which span a lifetime: Harvee's Song, a ballad of grief and healing from the perspective of the departed; One by One, which celebrates life-long love through a shared memory; and So Small, a ballad of hope celebrating the birth of a baby, born very prematurely. Keeping close to her roots, Mahon recorded and co-produced RISE with Lon and Elisabeth Williamson at Gatorbone Studios in Keystone, Florida, a studio which highlights music created and performed in Florida. The instrumental and vocal embellishments on RISE enhance and honor Mahon's principal role as a solo performer and capture her joy of singing, a joy that emanates from her performances and resonates with her audience. A carefully selected ensemble of players including Penny Nichols on harmony vocals, Gabe Valla of the Gatorbone Band on acoustic guitar, Jason Thomas of the Grammy Winning Claire Lynch Band on fiddle (Dust Tracks in the Road and Honey Tree), Hannah Alkire of Acoustic Eidolon on cello (Harvee's Song, Rabbit Hole and The Selkie Bride), and Tuck Tucker on Dobro (Rio and '56 Chevy) lend their support to the songs on RISE. An active member of the North Florida folk music scene, Mahon is also founder and coordinator of both Gainesville, Florida's Sandhill Stage, a premier acoustic venue that benefits local environmental non-profits, and Sandhill Songwriter's Circle, a local songwriter support group.