Margie Adam Releases Eighth Recording, Avalon

Women’s Music Icon/ Renowned Pianist Issues cd
Featuring Stellar Ensemble Work

Media Contact: Toplin & Associates, Inc.
Ellen Toplin ellen@toplin.com
Phone: 215.793.4666

Seattle, Wa – April 21, 2001 – In a cd release as unique as the music itself, acclaimed singer-songwriter Margie Adam staged an international on-line launch of her eighth recording, Avalon, in the middle of a concert last night. As a sold-out crowd of 1200 listened, Adam called her website designer on a cellular phone from the piano and announced to the cheers of her fans: “Go Live!”

This concert marks the beginning of a year-long national tour planned to support Avalon, produced by Adam on Pleiades Records with Executive Producer Kerry Lobel.

A distinguished performer and recording artist, Adam is also one of the founders of the “Women’s Music” genre – a movement that paved the way for women in music to maintain independence and artistic integrity in the music industry. Adam is heralded as a gifted songwriter whose pieces have been covered by the likes of Peter, Paul and Mary and Dusty Springfield; with “We Shall Go Forth!” archived in the Political History Division of the Smithsonian Museum. Of Adam, The Boston Globe has written, “Her melodies are graceful and inviting, her voice honest, relaxed, lovely, her piano spacious and sophisticated.”

Adam’s Naked Keys and Soon And Again recordings have secured her a place as one of this country’s preeminent female contemporary solo pianists. She has toured the country with Liz Story and Barbara Higbie and Janis Ian has said, “If I could play the piano like Margie Adam, I wouldn’t have to bother singing.”

The 11 songs in this collection highlight Adam’s gifts as a songwriter, vocalist and solo pianist. Two versions of the title track – one with vocals, the other solo piano – bookend the collection. Longtime fans will relish the fierce new recording of “Waves,” which she originally recorded as a solo piano piece in 1980. Still an npr favorite, the new rendition features a guest appearance by Barbara Higbie, former member of the jazz quartet, Montreux. Avalon also includes a breathtaking version of Carole King’s masterpiece, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”

For this effort, Adam gathered a fascinating mix of instrumentalists and vocalists including Melanie DeMore, Freyda Epstein, Sue Fink, Libby McLaren on vocals; and Diane Lindsay on bass, Jeanette Wrate on drums/percussion, Barbara Higbie on violin, Freyda Epstein on violin and viola, Michelle Sell on harp and Mary Fettig on flutes and saxes. Avalon was engineered by Stephen Hart and was recorded over a six-week period in early 2001 at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California. Adam is owner of the Pleiades Records label.

Avalon is the centerpiece of The Avalon Project, the goal of which is to celebrate and galvanize feminist awareness in music lovers across the country. The tour will work in tandem with local community organizations – providing audiences with on-the-spot access to membership, volunteer and fundraising information. In addition, a portion of each concert’s proceeds will be directed toward a designated social justice organization.