Album Notes

If you took a ride down Miracle Alley where would it take you?

Folk duo Cynova’s debut release, Miracle Alley, takes you on a sonic journey into a garden of sound. The memorable melodies will have you singing in the shower and dancing down the hallway. The lush vocal harmonies, inspired instrumental work and pure variety deliver an experience worthy of a road trip.

Songwriter CJ Smith’s back door socio-political statements and often tongue in cheek relationship commentary are both poignant and thought provoking. Ranging stylistically from thumping roots rock, achingly good ballads, minor blues, and even a little bluegrass, the collection creates a bouquet of color that spans the emotional palette. The passion and honesty that result will grab you by the soul and not let you go.

From the moment they started singing together members CJ Smith and Nora- Ellen Long knew they had something special. A little torch, a little twang, the combination of the two voices creates a soulful tension that is dynamic and vibrant, at times blending into one sound so completely that it is impossible to tell them apart.

A native of Georgia, CJ learned to walk to the Beatles but was also saturated with the country sounds of rural radio. Later she found inspiration in the likes of Dan Fogelberg, the Eagles, the Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, and Dar Williams. Like a hint of vanilla in your latte, these influences provide a sweet background to her original work.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Nora-Ellen has been a singer all her life. Her early musical influences were the folk and acid rock groups of the 60’s and the harmony rich groups like Poco, the Byrds, Jesse Colin Young. This vast background is put to good use in the exploration of creativity that shines through in the vocal arrangements.