Imaginary Friends

Imaginary Friends “Fragile Illusion”

It’s only January & I’ve already gotten my first “stays in my car” Cd for the year.
This disc takes things a step further, their already great songs exceptionally well produced, with virtually every cut perfect & radio ready.
From the very first song, Happy for You, sounding like the background for a critical scene in a movie, you know you’re listening to something really special. Crisp guitars, vocals smoother & sweeter than crème brulee. Blending fresh grooves with instruments like harmonica, mandolin & fiddle, adding world beat percussion, stepping outside the box of traditional acoustic music.
The driving Let me be your Angel makes you wanna drop the top & get out on a clear stretch o’ highway, maybe PCH @ 2am on a warm summer night.
Fire (Touch the Sky) kicks in a third world vibe that will have you singin’ along even after the song is over.
Their cover of Hit That Jive Jack , swings with David James evoking shades of the late great Stephane Grappelli, while Stacy, Donna & Tom’s Manhattan Transfer-esque vocals complete the picture for a smooth & satisfying finish to this excellent collection.
Fragile Illusion is definitely a “must have” disc you’ll listen to over & over ‘cuz it just feels so good!
- Jimi Yamgichi, Songwriter Network (Songnet.org)

Imaginary Friends “Fragile Illusion”

It’s only January & I’ve already gotten my first “stays in my car” Cd for the year.
This disc takes things a step further, their already great songs exceptionally well produced, with virtually every cut perfect & radio ready.
From the very first song, Happy for You, sounding like the background for a critical scene in a movie, you know you’re listening to something really special. Crisp guitars, vocals smoother & sweeter than crème brulee. Blending fresh grooves with instruments like harmonica, mandolin & fiddle, adding world beat percussion, stepping outside the box of traditional acoustic music.
The driving Let me be your Angel makes you wanna drop the top & get out on a clear stretch o’ highway, maybe PCH @ 2am on a warm summer night.
Fire (Touch the Sky) kicks in a third world vibe that will have you singin’ along even after the song is over.
Their cover of Hit That Jive Jack , swings with David James evoking shades of the late great Stephane Grappelli, while Stacy, Donna & Tom’s Manhattan Transfer-esque vocals complete the picture for a smooth & satisfying finish to this excellent collection.
Fragile Illusion is definitely a “must have” disc you’ll listen to over & over ‘cuz it just feels so good!
- Jimi Yamgichi, Songwriter Network (Songnet.org)

LA WEEKLY MUSIC PICKS OF THE WEEK
Mar 4 - 10, 2005

It?s all about the percussion for Imaginary Friends. On their latest release, last year?s folk and world tinged Fragile Illusion, the eclectic group of foxy mamas and sundry hep cats got loose with a collection of songs that percolate. Cleavage-friendly singer Stacy Robin belts it with aplomb. From the shivery, voodoo-obsessed ?Burnin? Down? (as spookily hard-edged as any Heart tune) to the sinuous, African-inspired ?Fire (Touch the Sky),? the band offer up sophisticated, silky fare for folks who aren?t ashamed to be identified as grown-ups (yes, there are a few in L.A.). Robin?s whiskey-toned co-vocalist, Donna Rawlins [makes] the sobbing-over-a ?tequila-sunrise ballad ?Don?t Watch Me Cryin?? legitimately morose. If Madonna went folk, she might sound a lot like Imaginary Friend. (Amy Freeman)

- LA WEEKLY

…What if you had an imaginary friend? Well, doesn't everybody? This music will make you believe it's possible. The group Imaginary Friends and their latest release "What If..." is a daydream just waiting for you to participate in. The one two punch of vocalists Stacy Robin and Donna Rawlins floats on the melodious heavenly cloud of string arrangements provided by guitarist Tom McCauley. Both women have sweet and sensuous voices that will lure you in and take you prisoner. You will enjoy being captured….They play folk-rock-pop music that pulls on your heartstrings while leaving a lasting impression upon your soul. This is as enjoyable and refreshing as a nice cool dip in the pool on a hot summer night. It was a nice change.


- Muzikman

…What if you had an imaginary friend? Well, doesn't everybody? This music will make you believe it's possible. The group Imaginary Friends and their latest release "What If..." is a daydream just waiting for you to participate in. The one two punch of vocalists Stacy Robin and Donna Rawlins floats on the melodious heavenly cloud of string arrangements provided by guitarist Tom McCauley. Both women have sweet and sensuous voices that will lure you in and take you prisoner. You will enjoy being captured….They play folk-rock-pop music that pulls on your heartstrings while leaving a lasting impression upon your soul. This is as enjoyable and refreshing as a nice cool dip in the pool on a hot summer night. It was a nice change.


- Muzikman

This is an amazing band, with what would be considered some of the best musicians in the business. The vocals are nothing short of spectacular, with harmonies that will leave you astounded. Few bands today have reached the level that this band has acquired .A lot in the music bizz is being in the right place at the right time, or knowing the right people. Very few make it because of only talent. This band has the talent, and from pictures I've seen, they have the visual appeal. Now if they can get the right exposure they are almost guaranteed a spot in the limelight. In this day and age bands are here one day and gone the next. The "Imaginary Friends" will be around for a long time because they have what it takes to stay popular. They have variety and quality, and they are hard to categorize into a singular genre.(A+++)

- Down East CD Reviews

This is an amazing band, with what would be considered some of the best musicians in the business. The vocals are nothing short of spectacular, with harmonies that will leave you astounded. Few bands today have reached the level that this band has acquired .A lot in the music bizz is being in the right place at the right time, or knowing the right people. Very few make it because of only talent. This band has the talent, and from pictures I've seen, they have the visual appeal. Now if they can get the right exposure they are almost guaranteed a spot in the limelight. In this day and age bands are here one day and gone the next. The "Imaginary Friends" will be around for a long time because they have what it takes to stay popular. They have variety and quality, and they are hard to categorize into a singular genre.(A+++)

- Down East CD Reviews

The warm, rich harmonies of Donna Rawlins (Donatella) and Stacy Robin (Drawing Down the Moon) along with smooth, earthy songwriting make this group a pleasurable listening experience. - Music Review

The warm, rich harmonies of Donna Rawlins (Donatella) and Stacy Robin (Drawing Down the Moon) along with smooth, earthy songwriting make this group a pleasurable listening experience. - Music Review

"Just saw these folks live last night at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles, where they funked up the place! Let me tell you, it's not often you see a sexy babe playing an enormous djembe drum and singing like a countrified Cyndi Lauper! I had to dance! The other singer, Donna, sang "Don't Watch Me Cryin'" and it was a completely different vibe. Very sultry, very traditional guitar-based country. She took over a second time with a rootsy romp called "Wicked Ways" that was totally infectious! The players in this band were sharp. The mandolin and violin player added so much aural depth to the songs!" - AMAZON.COM

"Just saw these folks live last night at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles, where they funked up the place! Let me tell you, it's not often you see a sexy babe playing an enormous djembe drum and singing like a countrified Cyndi Lauper! I had to dance! The other singer, Donna, sang "Don't Watch Me Cryin'" and it was a completely different vibe. Very sultry, very traditional guitar-based country. She took over a second time with a rootsy romp called "Wicked Ways" that was totally infectious! The players in this band were sharp. The mandolin and violin player added so much aural depth to the songs!" - AMAZON.COM