Spark & Whisper

WMSC, Sparta, NJ, Joe Psonek, Most Awesome Albums of 2013 (#9 of 15)
KVMR, Nevada City, CA, Laurie DesJardins, Top 10 Releases of 2013
WDCB, Glen Ellyn/Chicago, Lilli Kuzma, Fabulous Faves of 2013 (#4 of 15)
KVMR, Nevada City, CA, John Rumsey, Best Albums of 2013, (#20 of 60) - Public Radio DJs

"Velvy & Anita--thank you so much for such a beautiful evening of music last night. Probably one of the nicest house concerts I've ever been to - what an unbelievable venue Kevin has in his basement. Spark & Whisper is the whole package for me--beautiful music, much of it very emotional, great stage presence, wonderful conversations with a personal connection. An evening I won't forget and worth the six hour roundtrip drive. Thank you for such a beautiful, heartfelt music experience." - Fan of Band

"Both Anita & Velvy have such lovely individual voices, but together in harmony they reach new heights, seemingly singing with one voice. A closer listen to 'Ghost Towns' however, reveals the depth of the deeply personal songwriting that creates such vivid imagery, a wonderful reward for the astute listener." - Public Radio DJ

"Man, what a great album this is! Acoustic-electric contemporary folk with great picking, lovely harmony vocals, and a killer band. Go fetch yourself a copy of Spark & Whisper's 'Ghost Towns'!" - Music Writer, Facebook posting

"Thoughtful, original, modern folk songs. This pair can be counted on to deliver intelligent lyrics and cogent themes, and their musicianship is crisp and clean. 'Ghost Towns' is a bittersweet album full of sad memories and moving recollections." - Marin Independent Journal

"Deep, introspective, and poetic--Spark & Whisper is a talented duo that demands to be heard! 'Ghost Towns' is their best work yet. I am on the bandwagon!" - Public Radio DJ

"Spark & Whisper is a thinking-person's acoustic-folk duo. Their new album, 'Ghost Towns', surveys the complex social and emotional landscape that nurtures, astonishes and challenges us all. The CD deftly melds the duo's deep traditional musical roots and modern perspective on life and love." - Pacific Sun

"With 'Ghost Towns', Spark & Whisper prove once again that they are top-shelf songwriters, and have a collaboration that renders musical magic: a fresh sound with gorgeous harmony, delivered with a passion that draws the listener in, to absorb the meaningful lyrics and savor the music." - Public Radio DJ

"I love this CD. 'Ghost Towns' flows from one compelling song to another. Intricately crafted with energy and passion, these songs are both intimate and dynamic. True to their name, the music sparks and whispers." - Public Radio DJ

James Canales DJ for University of Wisconsin Stephens Point
lists Spark & Whisper's Grandma's Song among best of 2011. - J. Canales of Acoustic Revival 90FM WWSP

The room filled up quickly with very excited audience members who clearly were ready to "rock out" and hear some great music. Spark and Whisper did not disappoint; they immediately connected with the audience from the first song. Anita and Velvy took turns introducing the songs they both write and explaining what inspired them. Their messages come through their songs loud and clear and the passion they feel is definitely communicated through their music and was well received by the audience. Velvy told the crowd they write "confessional" songs which is why they are so relevant and so well received by listeners. After they finished a particularly poignant song, a man in the front row called out "that song brought a tear of joy to my eye!" Several audience members hooted and hollered in agreement; it was a very exhuberant and encouraging crowd. They clapped with earsplitting applause after each song. The audience yelled for an encore at the end of the show, and Spark and Whisper delivered by singing the cover song by Guns and Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" and the audience went CRAZY! Everyone sang the song together with band and there were lots of smiles all around. It was a great connected and heartfelt evening. Essence Review by Arlene Rudy, Bread and Roses Staff. - Bread & Roses (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bread-Roses/43261289939

".....In my review of what turned out to be Three At Last's last album, I predicted that more good things can be expected of them." With Spark & Whisper they've exceeded those expectations." - Press Play: Marin Independent Journal, Paul Liberatore

Burning brightly with their debut self-titled CD, Spark & Whisper take many songs from the time of Three At Last and in a sense, create new songs morphed from the old. Spark & Whisper is revamped, ripened and bulked-up with added bassist Paul Eastburn and drummer/percussionist/vocalist Scott Johnson, both have been on a musical journey with Velvy with the Samba/Latin band Nobody From Ipamema. “There's so much trust and love in this band. I've played with these guys for 12 years and hundreds of shows.” Velvy states. - Moon Mamma's Musical Musings Blog

....."Vocal styles and playing apart, the strength of this work is in the melodies, with the lyrics playing a strong support role. I spent considerable amount of time trying to remember where I've heard the like of this recently, and came up blank. Still, I'm sure I have heard something similar to this, sometime, somewhere, which in fact, isn't in any way off-putting at all." Kev A. - Leicester Bangs - Music CD Reviews

Spark and Whisper at Country Villa
Date: 3/5/2011
Host: Dick Miner

Essence Story by Dick Miner:

Spark and Whisper performed for the residents of Country Villa. The quartet provided a lovely afternoon of spirited music for the audience of seniors. Led by Velvy Appleton (guitar, vocals) and Anita Sandwina (guitar, mandolin, vocals) the group performed original songs and told stories between numbers much to the delight of the audience.

All of their music is a reflection of life’s experiences. For example, early in the show Anita sang “Iowa Heart”. This is a beautiful song about first love. In her introduction to the song she spoke to the audience about reconnecting with her past and of the emotional experience of doing so. The story appeared to be very engaging to the audience and their applause clearly showed their appreciation.

Velvy sang “Once” which is a beautiful piece that speaks of communication and of relating to one another. The rhythm section (Paul Eastburn, standing bass and Scott Johnson, percussion) was especially featured on this song and the audience loved it.

Throughout the show either Velvy or Anita would introduce their songs and talk very conversationally with the audience about their lives and how each song came to be composed. The group shows a great passion and enthusiasm for what they are doing and the audience was very engaged from the beginning to the conclusion of the performance.

All of their songs deal with love and beauty and appreciation for life. For many of the seniors present, these were concepts that touched home. Anita ended her performance with “Bless the Mountain”. She explained that she wrote the song while looking at the mountain through her window. She went on to say that its beauty continues through the years despite life’s trials and tribulations and that this beauty is one of the constants in her life. The audience appeared to get it. They smiled and applauded enthusiastically. Spark and Whisper touched the people of Country Villa with lovely music and gentle conversation and provided a peaceful, fun, and entertaining Saturday afternoon.


Lisa Starbird
Bread & Roses
Program Assistant
415-945-7127 ext.104
Lstarbird@breadandroses.org
BREAD & ROSES!
http://www.breadandroses.org
"Hope and Healing Through Live Music"







- Bread & Roses "Hope & Healing Through Live music (http:www.breadandroses.org)

"Together they have created an infective original sound based on pitch-perfect vocal harmonies and dynamic acoustic grooves that soothe and move the mind and body." - The Pacific Sun

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Updated: Thursday, March 3, 2011, 1:24 PM

Low Spark of Fairfax boys
New bands demonstrate Fairfax is just pachydermed with talent!

by by The Space Cowboy

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Spring is almost here and with it comes new music and some great, new local bands. Two noteworthy groups have recently formed out of the fertile Fairfax music scene: Spark & Whisper and Elephant Listening Project. The quartet called Spark & Whisper describes its sound as "modern folk/acoustic soul." Three of the band members, Paul Eastburn on bass and flute, Scott Johnson on drums and Velvy Appleton —guitar/vocals—met while playing together in the now defunct Brazilian funk/rock band Nobody from Ipanema. They are joined by Anita Sandwina (Three At Last) on guitar and vocals. Together they have created an infective original sound based on pitch-perfect vocal harmonies and dynamic acoustic grooves that soothe and move the mind and body. They will be appearing at Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa March 23 at 8pm and The Sleeping Lady in Fairfax on Saturday, March 26. Look for the debut CD soon and until then, the group can be found on the web at sparkandwhisper.com. - Pacific Sun

Velvy Appleton's song, 'Waiting' is on Acoustic Revival List of
Best Releases for 2010, selected by Host, Jim Canales of Wisconsin
station 90fm WWSP. (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Alternative
Radio. - Acoustic Revival, Jim Canales, 90fm WWSP

Smart songwriting, striking harmonies, and lush musical arrangements. Every song is original and eloquently tells a story that is brought to life by their lovely harmonies. Their American folk tradition has a natural sound and unified instrumentation that comes from their indelible chemistry. - CommonFolk.com

"Excellent harmony, superb picking on both guitar and mandolin"
"Poignant and emotionally truthful, spacious sound, timely lyrics"
I love the sound. Good music all
around"
Refreshing change to current pop"
Great sound and wonderful harmony" - Jango Radio Listeners