Congratulations Barbara! Wonderful selection of melodies and lyrics.. I love it.. Hugs

"The debut album from Barbara McDonald leaves a lot to be desired. A desire for more songs, more albums and the opportunity to see live performances. Madmen and Lovers is a collaboration and proof that the Internet may well be the future of the music industry, allowing new artists from across the globe to work together. Madmen and Lovers reads like the menu of a top restaurant, with the right variation of appetisers, main course and dessert. Actually the album has a suitably large portion of dessert which leaves the listener feeling indulged, but still able to manage another portion. Madmen and Lovers has a reassuring number of tracks that can trick you into thinking that you've been here before, singing "Electronic Karma" on the bus, humming "Pieces of You" in the bath. For all it's familiarity make no mistake, this is somewhere new, somewhere new and exciting. Madmen and Lovers mixes a blend of original tunes with lyrics everyone can relate to, whether they want to or not. Ms. McDonald's voice is a place where an Eurythmics' Annie Lennox would meet Joni Mitchell for lunch, and would be served coffee by Shania Twain. Madmen and Lovers documents a story through the life of someone like you, lets face it, this could be you! It's like moving into a new house, it takes a while to be completely comfortable, but once you spend the time you know it's all been worthwhile." - Lyndon Johnson, Broadcaster/Journalist, Aylesbury,England

My next few clicks will take me to the Web site of WETA, the largest public radio station in the D.C. area, so I can email producer-host Mary Cliff and see if Barbara MacDonald can't get some air time on "Traditions." Others listeners in other cities should do the same with other stations. No, I don't know Barbara MacDonald; I found her simply by keying in the name of a female artist and seeing who was working the same vein in MP3land. But from now on I'm an incorrigible booster. Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, the rest--Ms. MacDonald is in their territory but without being a clone. Let's hear more from her. David Rothman, Author, NetWorld: What People Are Really Doing on the Internet and What It Means to You (who wishes he'd run across her when he was writing his MP3 chapter)

Hmmmm...let’s see now. Perhaps "new age hippie chick" might be the best way to describe the Pennsylvania based singer/songwriter behind this creative output of light fare. Neo-folky paeans of life and love strewn with pop nuances and slight Eastern influences fill this 16-song indie collection. It’s eclectic and esoteric. dangerously bordering on being New Age, but with a more sensual spark than most music of that genre. McDonald, who retired from music to raise a family, is back plying her talents after a nearly 21 year absence from performing and recording. And this return set is a stellar start for her mid-life renewal to her craft. A predominantly acoustic venture, this set includes tasty touches of grand piano, Appalachian Mountain dulcimer, and ebo for melodic seasoning. Yet it is her careening and crystalline voice that makes this record work. Her high range, lilting vocals often recall the likes of Joni Mitchell. and at times those of Joan Baez. The songwriting is fairly solid, although sometimes ringing a little too pretentious and saccharin-sweet. The trans-Atlantic production (done in both Pennsylvania and England is smooth and slick. The finest cuts are without a doubt the title track, Lay Me Down," ‘1 Never Lived This Day Before," and "Electronic Kanna." The latter track in particular is stand Out. An almost hypnotic dirge, "ELectronic Karma." burns itself into your brain and leaves you humming it long after the track has faded. Tom Lounges, Editor, Midwest Beat Magazine