PRESS
This is what the press and others have to say about Tia and her music
Review from www.fishrecords.co.uk
This is Canadian McGraff's third album, but her first since 1997, and it's likely she will be a new name to many listeners (and especially those in the UK). Like many North American singer/songwriters she blurs the boundaries between genres and draws from many different areas, there's an obvious country influence here and her work is probably best described as being similar to Lucy Kaplansky and Gretchen Peters.
She's a fine vocalist with a clear communicative voice that is equally at home with the simple storytelling of 'Life Lines' as it is with the fuller more produced sound of the title track.
Of the 14 songs all but one were written or co-written by McGraff and over the course of the album she proves herself to be a strong writer of contemporary country/pop songs as well as a fine vocalist - the tracks are varied in both pace and style but above all they're listenable, memorable and instantly enjoyable.
'Outside of the Circle' is an excellent modern singer-songwriter/country album that mixes subtle pop sensibilities with heartfelt lyrics, and is an album that will appeal to many thanks to Tia's superb vocals and the instant appeal of the melodies and arrangements.
Articles taken from Country Music Round-Up Vol XXIX No.7 July 2005
On Page 3 HOT COUNTRY NEWS by Stuart Cameron http://www.hotdisc.net
TIA McGRAFF A SUCCESS ON TOUR
The lovely Americana singer/songwriter Tia McGraff and her husband * and ace guitarist Tommy Parham came over for a short UK tour to test the water and from all accounts they created a lot of excitement and interest. I was delighted to meet the pair directly after they had met up with Radio 2's Bob Harris, who considers himself a fan of Tia and to that end has invited her back for a session on his country programme in the near future. While in Scotland I had the chance to interview her and the results of that will be featured on the November edition of the Hotdisc along with an exclusive live and unplugged song recorded at my studio. It is so nice to hear an act literally sit down in front of a microphone and do the business without the aid of a safety net! It sorts out the amateurs from the pros and my word, can that gal sing! Haste ye back Tia and Tommy!
Andy writes - Please note unless Tia hasn't told me J Tommy is her husband to be and got engaged to be married at this time **** J ....thought it funny though :)
On Page 12 Article on the ROCK RIDGE FESTIVAL in Co Durham by Keith Render
Matinee - Sandwiched in between the bands two spots, a total shift in emphasis in the shape of 'across the pond' singer/songwriter Tia McGraff and her acoustic guitar picking sidekick, Tommy Parham. A woozy concoction of easy listening music which sparkles with sublime and sophisticated, inspired country sounds. Playing songs from the heart, Tia's delightful alto vocals take the music to celestial heights. Sweet and sour,gentle and enraged, she leaves no emotion untapped or undisturbed. Enchanting and compelling listening
Warm,Winning Sounds - Sharing the mid-afternoon slot, Tia McGraff was once again gracing the stage with her presence. The singer/songwriter is so natural with her delivery and her manner. she spinkles her personality into her songs and I couldn't help but enjoy her warm,winning sounds. The afternoon's assemblage responded most favourably.
"Tia McGraff is truly one of God's angels.
She is a wonderful singer and songwriter- and an even better person and Christian."…
Phil Sweetland (Country Music and Radio contributor, New York Times)
Tia has justifiably had positive comments about her songwriting and performing such as
"Tia McGraff is a fantastic singer with her own vocal personality which reminds me of an early Linda Ronstadt. She is a very intuitive songwriter who knows what a song needs to make it tick. A joy to work with. It's just a matter of time till that magic moment when everyone agrees it's Tia's time" - Randy Bachman
"I have seldom run into someone with a gift that needs to be heard as much as Tia. She colors outside the lines, and stands outside of the circle of tuned perfection. Tia McGraff is real and is really needed in today's marketplace of music" - Devon O'Day
Country Insider Subscriber Network
Phil Sweetland’s Country Insider
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 - - - - - - -
We’ve recently been very impressed by new music from TIA McGRAFF and FRANK LIGHT. Tia (www.tiamcgraff.com) is one of Nashville’s most gifted Canadian imports. She and her boyfriend TOMMY PARHAM co-produced Tia’s 14-song CD, Outside of the Circle. Legendary engineer GENE EICHELBERGER, who worked with Neil Young and many others, mixed and mastered the album. Tommy is a superb guitarist, producer, and arranger, and he and Tia co-wrote most of these uniquely evocative, Americana-flavored tunes. Highlights include the title track as well as Love-Lies-Bleeding, Love Calls the Shots, and Catfish Deacon. Tia and Tommy are a wonderful couple who both look like movie stars, and they have become a popular live duo at house concerts and other venues around the Southeast . .
Roots66
Roots Productions, Ventura, Ca
"Canadian-born Tia McGraff, now residing in Nashville, is a gifted songstress and songwriter. Her album "Small Town Life" was nominated by the European Country Music Assoc. awards for Indie album of the year.
Possessed of a strong, clear voice and a gift for imagery and the turn of a phrase, in Jewel's Cafe McGraff has recorded an album of high quality that bears repeated listening."
Tia McGraff Jewel's Cafe Bandana Records
Real Music Magazine
Tia's previous release, Small Town Life, was by far and away my favourite Independent release for last year. Why? Pristine vocals deeply pleasant to the ear, clear as a bell recording quality, and beautiful photos of a delicate, almost elfin young woman? These are all strong elements, but you will find those qualities on releases by the hundreds each and every year.
The difference really came down to the wonderful emotional pictures Tia painted with the words she sang. An insightful, intelligent woman, that chooses to view life's twists and turns as lessons and often as gifts. She has once more painted us a masterpiece. Jewel's Cafe! In summary, this is her best work to date.
Tommy Parham: Melodic Maestro
Phil Sweetland, Country Music and radio contributor, The New York Times
Tommy Parham is attracting a lot of attention from a lot of very important people in Nashville's music community.
Jeffrey Steele, country music's hottest songwriter with more than 40 Top 5 singles ot his credit, recently said: "Tommy takes the long road, the good road, the music road. I think that's the cool road."
Jon Michaels, who co-wrote Paul Jefferson's "Check Please" and "Stones" from Tracy Lawrence's new album, Strong, said, "Tommy has a tremendous sense of melod. He understands chords and uses them extremely well. Even his simplest progressions are fresh, and that is really hard in a songwriting environment where three chords are king."
Michaels then brings up a facet of Parham that everyone who knows Tommy well mentions. "The only thing equal to Tommy's talent," Michaels says, " is his attitude. Tommy's attitude about life and music is inspiring and genuine. They say that nice guys finish last .... Tommy will finish last and have the last laugh."
Tia McGraff Featured On New CD "One Less Tear"
Port Dover Maple Leaf
Songstress Tia McGraff has a major role in a music CD just released.
Actually the Port Doverite has a key part in three songs on the CD which was put together with other musicians to financially support the American Cancer Society.
Tia says "my hope is that these songs will reach all those who need to hear them and shine a light in even the darkest corner."
Review by Bill Yates, Roots66.com
Canadian-born Tia McGraff, now residing in Nashville, is a gifted songstress and songwriter. Her album "Small Town Life" was nominated by the European Country Music awards for Indie album of the year. She has written and recorded with the likes of Randy Bachman (Bachman Turner Overdrive), Celine Dion, Mark Slaughter, Dan Hill, and Andrew Gold. Possessed of a strong, clear voice and a gift for imagery and the turn of a phrase, in "Jewel's Café McGraff has recorded an album of high quality that bears repeated listening. Most of the songs are written or co-written by McGraff.
Now a brief run-through of the selections on the CD. The title cut, Jewel's Café, is a paean to the night spot "on the edge of time" that provides a refuge and reminiscent retreat from the world. "Every Time I See You" reveals the inner pain of a lost love. "Where Do We Go" expresses some of the existential angst of today, albeit in much more expressive imagery. "If You're Lookin' for Love" reminds us that while we may be looking for love, we might be the target of someone else's search for love. "Blue Guitar" is a nice, atmospheric number speaking of the communicative power of music. Having left her lover, "The State I'm In" plays on the ambiguity of the singer's geographic state and emotional state. It united the country from East to West and now has been superceded by the Interstate, but Route 66 is still alive in our imagination and in the "Ghost of 66". After disappointment in love, but still hoping, Tia's protagonist recognizes that 'If I'm gonna love again, I want "Somebody Like You". "One Time for Old Times" has her wondering can we get back together? Having survived the trials of life, the singer expresses her determination to continue on with faith in her love, saying, "(I'll Let the) Wind Dry My Eyes". "Kinengan (Gypsy Queen)" expresses her desire to be the object of her lover's dreams ("Kinengan" is the Transylvanian word for "gypsy queen". McGraff got it from her 93-year-old Transylvanian grandmother.). "Baby I Want You" is a straight-forward love ballad.
The accompanying instrumentalists are very good. The sound has a Nashville touch, but the arrangements are not overdone and do not overpower the singer or the song. McGraff has a nice, expressive voice, easy to listen to. I have listened to this CD through a number of times and haven't gotten tired of it yet. It's a nice addition to anyone's collection, not to be just cataloged, but to listen to and enjoy. The album booklet has all the lyrics and credits, which is a very good thing and which should be more common. But my only quibble is with the album booklet, and it is a common problem with album booklets: setting the text in all caps makes it harder to read.
I have no hesitation in recommending "Jewel's Café", and based on this evidence, I have no hesitation in recommending anything Tia Mc Graff records. I hope to hear more soon.
bravenet.com