Reviews
Artist:Tia McGraff
Album:Day In My Shoes
Label:Bandana
Tracks:12
Website:http://www.myspace.com/tiamcgraff
This is Canadian Tia Mcgraff's stunning 4th CD - I thought she couldn't better 2005's 'Outside The Circle' but it seems I was wrong.
Tia wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the disc. The title track is set to be a women's anthem - well we all love our shoes! 'My Little Corner of the World' eloquently describes how we probably all feel in the current world climate, whilst 'I can't quit', written about husband and musical partner Tommy Parham (co writer on several of the tracks), also gives us an insight perhaps into her inner strength as a woman and even her determination to make it in the music business.
She is certainly highly driven and motivated by her love of music and of sharing it with her fans around the world. She once stated that her fans are the reason she does what she does, not the 'crazy music business.'
'Ought to be be rock' is a truly haunting look at life's mistakes and regrets from one man's perspective as he reminisces. This beautiful ballad really allows Tia's gorgeous soulful voice to shine through like the stars in Silver Lake'; which gives us a lyrical insight to how much she loves her hometown of Port Dover. Ontario.
It was written following a performance for Canada Day. It is described in such a way that the listener almost feels they have been there. 'Maggie's Child' is a fascinating and beautifully written exploration of the life of Mary Magdalene, with a celtic sound - enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand upright. I don't think there is a single person out there who at some time in their life has not experienced the sentiment of 'What the hell am I doin' here.'
'Second Chance' is the powerful duet with Steve Balsamo of the Story, favoured by Bob Harris. Their voices merge together and create a wonderful contrast and harmony, allowing us to feel the true angst and regret in the lyrics. 'I would have followed' possesses a wonderful musical arrangement. In in many people's hands it could have had the potential to have been just another love song, yet Tia takes it to a place that makes it very real and honest.
'Devil's Gold' is one of my personal favourites, written with Steve Balsamo and Henry Priestman of The Christians. It was inspired by a plaque they saw in Wales, dedicated to those who died in a shipwreck when they tried to save their gold. It allows Tia to demonstrate the storytelling side of her writing.
'All of us' makes the point that if we want the world to be a better place it has to start at home, with all of us. A lesson we could all take on board I think. 'Hope is Everything' inspired by a cancer survivor in a commercial Tia saw, really is an anthem for determination and not giving up, whether that related to cancer, or any other situation life throws at us. Tia says she has been truly overwhelmed by the response she has received to this song, from people all around the world who have connected to it.
Whilst Tia's earlier albums are all excellent, this is without a doubt her strongest effort to date, backed by Tommy Parham's stunning musicianship, and everyone else appears to agree. Randy Bachman says "it's just a matter of time until that magic moment when everyone agrees it's Tia's time" and Folk & Roots magazine says we should all get out and see her now because it won't be long until she moves out of the small venues and we'll have to catch her in the sheds or arenas. Tia once quoted a friend who said 'Every day we get to wake up and make music is a great day to be alive!' One listen to this CD and you can't help but agree - every day we get to wake up and listen to Tia's music is a great day to be alive!
Helen Mitchell