About Marcy
"If you ask me what I did yesterday," she laughs, "I may not be able to remember. If I hear an even remotely familiar song, however, dozens of little memories start popping back - where I was, who I was with, what I was feeling. So many experiences throughout my life have stuck with me because of the music that captured them and helped me feel connected." And so, from the heart of a shy 4th grader who related to her world through the writing of poems and simple songs, a fiercely observant and tenderly compassionate storyteller has emerged. At home with singing about both the complexities of experience as well as the lighthearted and peaceful "coming home" moments, Marcy Baruch (Bah-ROOSH!) delivers striking, catchy and well-crafted, adult-pop songs.
Her 2 CDs, "Hathaway Smiles" and "Clearly" (released in 1998 and October of 2001 respectively), invoke the likeness of a range of influences. Baruch has been compared to Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Amy Grant, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, Sinead O'Connor and Chrissie Hynde, to name a few. A graduate of Wittenberg University in Ohio, her exquisite appreciation for harmonies, theory and soundly structured works was cultivated through her study of classical and choral music throughout high school and college. Her studies of literature, emphasizing humanities' relationship to the Divine and who we are at our core, greatly inspired her articulate expression woven through her lyrics. These influences, plus her love of good pop, folk and country music, have resulted in an easily accessible, sophisticated range of contemporary songwriting that her diverse music-loving audiences have come to appreciate.
A native of suburban Philadelphia who now resides in Denver, CO, Marcy Baruch is receiving much critical acclaim as well. Landing a spot in FEMMUSIC.com's Top Ten list of independent songwriters from across the nation for the year 2001, Editor-In-Chief Alex Teitz writes, "Her new CD, 'Clearly,' is one of the best CDs I've heard this year... a work of genius and art that should be known nationally." Allen Foster of Songwriter's Monthly wrote of his choice for album of the month, "Marcy Baruch strides confidently through her kick-up-the-dirt songs with steeel-toed vocals and a carefree, reckless zest for life. She is more fun than spiked punch at a barn dance... many show-stopping, breath-taking, goosebump raising moments." Judy Brady of Go-Go magazine remarks, "Baruch... has carefully crafted an inviting record and a tight band that reflect her talent for songwriting, lyrical phrasing and melody." Exclaims Steve Avedis, engineer for Baruch as well as many notable artists such as Kenny Rogers and N' Sync, "You've got to hear this woman. She has a heart and an emotional quality that portray themselves through her lyrics, but even more so in her delivery. Her silky-smooth and powerful voice drew me in right up front. She is like no one else I have ever heard."
Baruch's performances have captivated audiences time and again. She has been part of The Lillith Fair opening act auditions, has played for Red Rocks ampitheatre's 60th anniversary celebration, has opened for Sonia Dada and has played at The Bluebird Theater, Swallow Hill, The Little Bear, The Denver Botanic Gardens, The City and County building and many other Front Range area venues. Whether her shows are geared for a 300 person CD Release Concert, a 5,000 person concert venue or a standing-room-only packed coffee house, Baruch's shows feel tailor-made. An audience is as likely to hear her six-piece band as they are a paired down trio, depending on the size of the venue and the ambience that Baruch feels compelled to create. Either way, her music ultimately takes the listener on a journey that leaves her audiences feeling like they have been a part of something beautiful, fun and meaningful. With cello, pedal steel, banjo and lap steel accents complimenting electric bass, drums, keys, guitars and harmonies, the flavor of the arrangements provides a delicate strength that cohesively runs its way through the variety of styles. There is celebration of raucous punch and enthusiasm for life in up-tempo pop songs such as "Mercy Mercy," "Crazy," "23 Tears," "I Saw The Wrecking Ball" and in the blues-filled "Road To Westcliffe." There is also much space for audiences to exhale as they are embraced into the intimacy of Baruch's strong piano ballads such as "Wait For Me," "Black Velvet Hush" and "For Purnel Goode," as well as the acoustic guitar, folk-twinged "London Bridge," "First Love" and "Thank You." Baruch and her band have also arranged a number of popular cover tunes as well, arrangements which allow her listeners to feel at home in their own memories of those songs as well as to be inspired at the remarkable new renditions she offers.
Recognized for her ease and ability in adding inventive harmonies to the projects of others, Marcy has contributed on a number of recordings and concerts, including those of Celeste Krenz, Dakota Blonde and Andy Ard. She also produced Denver songwriter Kate Gleason's debut CD, "Return To Me."
Baruch is slated to play at 2002's Cherry Creek Arts Festival as well as a number of other summer festivals and concerts. Her drive for authenticity and connected-ness is what makes her so refreshing and appealing to her ever growing audience. Spontaneous and inquisitive, down to earth and honest, this performing songwriter has a gift that is touches people in the sacred places of their spirits. Her work strikes that rare balance between being highly marketable and appreciatively authentic. She is a rare and brave artist whose gift should be shared with as many as who have the opportunity to listen.
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