Music
Press
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This album seems to have
been a long time in gestation.
Cynova originally started as a
trio consisting of CJ (Cynthia)
Smith, Nora-Ellen Long, and
Valerie Van Zyl. After Valerie's death in the summer of 2005,
CJ and Nora-Ellen decided to
continue as a duo, carrying
on the work of Van Zyl in the
song arrangements. This is
their debut CD, based around
the songs of CJ Smith, and
a notable one it is. Cynova
openly states the Indigo Girls
as an influence and this is
obvious throughout the record,
especially in the blending of
the two voices, sometimes in
harmony sometimes in counterpoint.
As for the songs, they
span many genres from the
rocking opening Other Side of
You to the Spanish-influenced
Still Waters and La Luna Hermosa.
There are also some lovely,
poignant ballads such as Angel
of the Lost and Angel of Mercy.
The lyrics are a blend of subtle
socio-politic statements
such as lnvisible, and ironic
relationship commentaries like
the wonderful country Like a
Hot Rock. Lyrically, nature plays
a large part in the imagery
with the mellow Partly Cloudy
and other songs making
strong reference to the wind,
moon and stars. As would be
expected, the vocals are strong
and clear and the harmonies
excellent. Unfortunately, the
review copy I have doesn't give
much detail on the backing
musicians but the arrangements
are first-rate and never get
in the way of the voices. An
impressive and assured debut. KM - Maverick Magazine
Cynova is a duo comprised of CJ Smith and Nora Ellen Long.
Two years after the death of their bandmate Valerie Van Zyl,
they finished their 12-song album. It is a folk-rock style with
heart-felt lyrics exploring relationships, including loss,
heartache, family ties, sexuality and racial division.
- Girlistic Magazine
Discography
Miracle Alley 2006
Tracks receiving airplay:
The Other Side of You
Miracle Alley
Still Waters
Angel of the Lost
Invisible
La Luna Hermosa
Let Me be Your Fantasy
Like a Hot Rock
Partly Cloudy
Joy
Sierra
Photos
Bio
From the moment they started singing together members CJ Smith and Nora-Ellen Long knew they had something special. A little torch, a little twang, the combination of the two voices creates a soulful tension that is dynamic and vibrant, at times blending into one sound so completely that it is impossible to tell them apart.
A native of Georgia, CJ learned to walk to the Beatles but was also
saturated with the country sounds of rural radio. Later she found inspiration in the likes of Dan Fogelberg, the Eagles, the Indigo Girls,
Melissa Etheridge, and Dar Williams. Like a hint of vanilla in your latte, these influences provide a sweet background to her original work.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Nora-Ellen has been a singer all her life. Her early musical influences were the folk and acid rock groups of
the 60’s and the harmony rich groups like Poco, the Byrds, Jesse Colin Young. This vast background is put to good use in the exploration of creativity that shines through in the vocal arrangements.
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