Maria Butterly Molly Malone's West Hollywood

May 2004

Contact: Margaret O’Carroll, Kerry Records, 818-784-3805; kerryrec@aol.com

Web: www.kerryrecords.com , www.mariabutterly.com

The Players: Maria Butterly, vocals, guitar, mandolin; Tardu Yegin, saxophone, percussion, keyboards, backup vocals; Perry Ostrin, drummer; Steve Pandis, bass, backup vocals.

Material: Maria Butterly and her band perform inspiring, soulful and high-energy music. They present a driving, fast-paced sound with diverse instrumentals, somewhat akin to the Dave Matthews Band or Rusted Root. Butterly’s lyrics are positive and upbeat, ranging from rants to love ballads to conquering life’s struggles. More than anything, however, Butterly and her band jam for a howling crowd that loves the energy.

Musicianship: Butterly’s voice is spectacular, with expansive tonal range and emotional power. She has good command of the guitar and mandolin, too, playing fluidly with above-average skill. Bassist Pandis is a standout, taking the bass player’s contribution to a higher level. The multitalented Tardu Yegin is solid on keyboards. He is a good saxophonist, as well, while also bringing a nice edition of percussion into the mix. Ostrin is adequate on the drums, but he often seems outshined by the rest of the band.

Performance: At this gig, Maria Butterly was a life force. Like a lightning storm she filled the room with electricity. She connected with the crowd from the get go, joking with everyone without being patronizing. The close relationships between members of the band were obvious, as they teased each other and jammed with a familiarity that was a pleasure to watch. By the end of the night, dancers filled the room with heaving chests covered in sweat, as the more refined listeners sat back and took in the splendor.

Summary: Maria Butterly has tons of talent and a formidable stage presence complemented by a band that is equally impressive. She exudes a confidence onstage that is enhanced by a humorous wit and genuine friendliness. Butterly is a pleasure to watch and could easily command a much larger crowd with her world-class talent.

—Sean Halloran

© 2007 Kerry Records LLC     All Rights Reserved. Notice