Maeve

Review
© Kevan Breitinger

I wasn't looking to fall in love today. Just working my way through a stack of CDs. . . . but then I heard maeve's "Whatever Befall." Now even the air smells cleaner.

Well, maybe this Boston-based trio can’t affect the air quality; I may have exaggerated their powers slightly. But only slightly. Courtney Reid, Rachel Taylor and Rollyn Zoubek are performing harmonic wonders reminiscent of the Indigo Girls or Wilson Phillips. “Whatever Befall” is their third release, produced by the wildly creative Don Chaffer, and it carries all of his usual organic, earthy genius touches.

Call it neo-folk, call it delicious, call it a mix of wincingly tight harmonies, thoughtful writing, and enlightening message. But in a world less commercially driven, where art was king and heart his queen, maeve would be getting much more recognition. The album starts with one of the two tracks not written by maeve members, their rendition of “This Little Light of Mine,” titled “Shine.” Their fresh arrangements slip-slide over the traditional song with a slight jazz groove, the bluesy vocals weaving in, out and over one another in delightful interplay, the tiniest, tastiest hint of funk hiding beneath. The 3 maeve women share the vocal duties equally, and this generous arrangement adds to their sweet spell, providing continually shifting leads and shades of melody. “There’s Been a Change” comes across like a swelling wave of sound, the vocals lush as they ebb and flow in organic delight, bringing Joni Mitchell’s adventuring to mind.

The rhythmically nuanced “Fire in My Soul” is classic Chaffer, with its richly textured instruments, highlighting maeve’s vocals over a bed of quietly sizzling keys. The bold “Fly Away” again hints of Mitchell’s melodic wanderings. Its textured organic sound manages to convey perfectly the sense of powerlessness we feel in the face of death, in this case, the death of a mother, even more deeply disturbing. But maeve’s warm vocals lift up and enrich this marvelous song to a level of light that is surprising and moving, leading gently yet directly to the only Hope that prevails. The effect is stunning, and I think this is where the love first began to flow.

The women of maeve can burn up any genre, the pop groove of “Found a Love,” the sweet emotive layers of “Do Not Hide,” or the deep worship of standout track, “Owner of Every Breath,” a percussive wonder that is as lyrically powerful as it is sonically moving. The whirling harmonies of “Sapphire” took me completely by surprise, with its thoughtful consideration of God’s gifts over Chaffer’s gentle cello. The project closes with their haunting rendition of “Be Thou My Vision,” more pretty picking and those luscious harmonic complexities astonishing to the end.

If you like surprises, and enjoy the excitement of discovering a new sound, if you long for fresh music and lyrical strength. . . . or if you breathe oxygen to live. . . . check out maeve’s “Whatever Befall.” You won’t be disappointed.

- Suite 101

"Who needs the Dixie Chicks or the Indigo Girls when you've got Maeve,
a three-piece all-female Boston trio of harmonic goodness." - Hippo Press

“Maeve is the best new music I have heard in a long, long time. Luscious
harmonies weave in and out, as the lead vocal passes from Courtney to
Rollyn to Rachel, then back again. Profound lyrics ride on a compelling
and hypnotic acoustic guitar groove. It doesn't get much better than
this!” - Signature Sounds Recording Artist

“ Acoustic pop with Gospel overtones, Maeve is a fresh new trio with an adult contemporary vibe. Harmony focused and lush, Maeve is rapidly winning converts on the Boston circuit.” - Club Passim

Maeve's music clearly attracts a very diverse group, from college students
to the elderly. I think this can be attributed to many facets of the bands'
personality. Maeve's music is spiritual without being preachy. It is
dynamic without being overpowering. They capture the audience with their
engaging harmonies and gracious personalities. You can hear a pin drop in
the room when they play - Tupelp Music Hall

"There's power in unity and when it's tough to get attention singing alone,
getting together people to sing can have a greater impact. With Maeve it's
the union of three female songwriters: Courtney Reid, Rachel Taylor and
Rollyn Zoubek. The combination of their skills produce results greater than
the sum of their parts... Maeve shows the power that vocal harmonies can
bring... this record (The Simple and the Wonderful) has a basic beauty to
it." - Northeast Performer

Maeve is a trio of women who are each gifted artists in their own right.
Together, they create a sound that is amongst the strongest and best vocal
performances I have had the pleasure to listen to over the last 30 years of
being involved with live music. - Community Coffeehouse and One Heart Festival