| "Mad Agnes isn’t really mad at all," says
Pete Fornatale (of WFUV in New York), unless mad also means quirky, intelligent, warm, insightful,
and humorous. Mad Agnes’ music – created by Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones,
and Mark Saunders – delights, incites, and heals. They do it with rich, heart-rending
three-part harmonies, synergistic musicianship, and clever songwriting that is at once familiar
and completely unique. Witness this for yourself on their most recent release, Magic Hour.
Rich Warren of SING OUT! Magazine says, "This recording is magic...glorious harmonies,
highly original arrangements and memorable songs...perfect production." and Céline
Keating of Acoustic Guitar calls it “a flawless CD with a unique sound.”
Although the band Mad Agnes may be relatively new, their musical bond stretches
across three bands, two solo careers, one and a half decades and a vast repertoire
encompassing ten releases. In concert, they move from bold, lushly arranged songs
to pared down, spare and simple ones, showcasing their ample musical range. "Akin
to progressive-folk artists of yore, most notably Fairport Convention, the multi-faceted
Mad Agnes thrives on story-telling and a traditional aesthetic steeped in classical
motifs, intricate harmonies, and complex counterpoint." Tom Semioli, Minor 7th.
Full instrumentation (acoustic, electric, slide and bass guitars, piano and synth)
and arrangements support harmonies that spring from angelic to rambunctious. Hennebach's
and Jones' award-winning songwriting is sometimes whimsical, often poignant, and
ultimately powerful.
The music of classically trained, 1-800 Prime CD recording artist Margo Hennebach
has been described as “contemporary and timeless” by the Star Gazette
and “captivating” by Sing Out Magazine. A finalist in songwriting competitions,
including Kerrville and Napa Valley, she backed up several Fast Folk artists including
John Gorka before devoting herself to solo and band projects. She has a BM in Piano
Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, a Masters in music therapy from the Guildhall
School of Music in London, and has released four CDs including Big Love which the
Cleveland Free Times calls “a seamless project that wonderfully succeeds in
offering inspiration, appreciation, hope and faith.”
Adrienne Jones is a self-taught fingerstyle & rhythm guitarist and bassist,
a finalist in four national songwriting competitions, and a member of Actors Equity
Association. Of her second CD release, Talking River, Dirty Linen magazine praised
her “expressive ability to wrap meaning around a lyric with the simple rise
or fall of a note.” “Take the observational skills of a poet,” writes
Rick Foster of the Sun-Chronicle, “add the vocal qualities of a Joni Mitchell,
and the guitar-playing chops of a Nashville legend, and you'll have some idea why
Adrienne Jones is drawing raves among the music intelligentsia.” Look for ther
third release, Voice in the Mirror.
Mad Agnes also features Mark Saunders on vocals, acoustic, electric, National steel
and bass guitars. After graduating from the Hartford Conservatory with a degree in
classical guitar, Mark toured with several bands (Motown R&B, country, original
rock) before landing in acoustic singer/songwriter circles as a favorite sideman.
His virtuoso guitar work recalls the inventiveness of Richard Thompson while providing "understated
ballast with his voice and lead guitar--his delicate arpeggio picking...and fiery
fills and runs,” says Acoustic Guitar magazine.
Magic Hour, released on Aug 1, 2003, is the band's second CD. With the help of national
promotion, the album is in regular rotation on radio stations around the country
including WUMB (Boston), WFMT (Chicago), and WDIY (Bethlehem, PA), and is charting
on the Folk DJ list. Track 3, Let This Be My Prayer, is featured in the Winter 2004
issue of Sing Out! Magazine.
Recognized for their terrific live show, Mad Agnes was selected to showcase by the
New England Folk Alliance in 2003. They perform nationally at listening rooms and
festivals including the Bethlehem Musikfest and Godfrey Daniels (PA), The Bitter
End and the Towne Crier (NY), Old Settlers Inn (KS), WFMT’s Live Stage (IL),
Cedarburg Cultural Center (WI), Oona’s (VT), University of Hartford (CT), Johnny
D’s (MA), and First nights Morristown and Worcester.
No, Mad Agnes isn’t mad at all, says Fornatale: "They know exactly what
they’re doing: crafting clever and beautiful songs and singing them flawlessly.
Reservations are required.
Please contact Jeff
Rice for more information. |
