NICOLE MCKENNA: Stay Awhile

Nicole McKenna

Stay Awhile

© 2002 Nicole McKenna

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Full of powerful pop-rock hooks, unforgetable melodies, and lyrics that reach you; emotional rock pop that doesn't waste a single moment winning your heart.

tracks

1 Shameless
2 Take Me Over
3 Yeah Song
4 Ordinary Day
5 Stay Awhile
6 Anywhere But Here
7 With Me
8 I Thank You Now
9 Back To You
10 309
11 Junk

notes

Nicole McKenna is a New York-based singer/songwriter. Born in NYC and raised in Long Island, NY, Nicole has been writing songs from an early age. Coming from a family of musicians, she remembers her early exposure to the world of music. "I grew up in a family of musicians. The living room was always set up for some kind of band rehearsal with mic cables and drum kits and amps all over." Nicole continued to pursue songwriting throughout high school and on through college. After college, she spent some time in Nashville, TN, before returning to NY where she began writing most of the material for her self-titled debut CD.

"Nicole's debut record, with its insightful lyrics, infectious melodies, and guitar-driven hooks, is downright awesome. If singer-songwriter Nicole McKenna keeps on making records like her eponymous debut, her name won't remain a secret for long," says Rick Petreycik of Performing Songwriter Magazine. On her debut self-titled CD, produced by Saul Zonana (Halfman Wonder, Blue Oyster Cult, Luv Junkies), Nicole has clearly accomplished the rare task of defining her own sound.
On her follow up album "Stay Awhile" (released November 9th, 2002), she continues to do just that. Nicole's music has been described as "Sultry, haunting and beautiful..." and "A perfect mix of subtlety and melody." Nicole's live performances have become her NY trademark. She's a regular headliner at The Living Room, CBGB's and The Bitter End. One writer quipped "Nicole has never disappointed live, her voice is even more effective in the intimate settings of a small venue, making her one of the city's (New York) best kept secrets." The success of her debut self-titled CD earned her a place on the Performing Songwriter Compilation CD #8, and features in the magazine of the same name, while her follow up CD begins to receive the same accolades.

Nicole says of creating the new album, "It was amazing to work with all of the people who became involved in this project. To have so much talent contributing to this record, they all brought the music somewhere I had never envisioned." Produced by Saul Zonana, "Stay Awhile" lives up to the incredible cast of industry players who played on the album. Saul Zonana – production, bass, keyboards, programming, Andrew Carillo-guitars (Joan Osborne), Jack Petruzzelli-guitars (Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osborne), Kevin Hupp - drums, percussion (Patty Griffin, Rufus Wainwright), Tom Hammer-piano, keyboards (Family Stand), Kevin Jenkins-bass (Cyndi Lauper), Julia Kent-cello (Sheryl Crow, Matthew Sweet), Barry Hartglass-upright bass, Doug Beck-programming. The CD was recorded at 20/20 Music in NY, and Acme Studios in Mamaroneck, NY and mixed at A-Pawling Studios in Pawling,NY.

reviews

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  • Glad
    author: Mitchell

    This good music. Make me glad.

  • I'm think you are absolutely fabulous Nicole
    author: The Chauceriin

    You have a very lovely, sensual voice, very warm and very honest sounding. I love your girl next door quality! It makes your sound very personal and soothing. I'm going to buy your disc Nicole. The music industry needs more voices like yours Nicole. What are these labels thinking? Support Indie music!

  • Why wasn't this a bigger deal?!
    author: Katy

    Wow! I got hooked by the sample of the gorgeous song "Anywhere But Here", and this has turned out to be one of the best cd purchases I've made in a while. This is an album FULL of great songs! After listening through immediately upon receiving it, I played it for a friend of mine who says he's going to buy a copy. It's that good.

  • Angelic, with a twinge
    author: Jim Derk

    I have more than 1500 CDs ranging from Piaf to punk and this one is my favorite. Nicole's vocals simply entice you to listen to the lyrics and immerse yourself. She is an immense talent. Thank you, Nicole, for sharing it with us.

  • Stellar
    author: Jimi Jamm

    As a body of work, this album is one of the best hidden secrets of 2003. The writing is on point, from track to track. Nicole's vocals soar on top of great studio work of Saul Zonana and Pete Moshay. Standout tracks are Take Me Over, Back To You, With Me & Thank You. We've played two of her songs on my radio station and the public response has been great. Remember Nicole McKenna's name, she is on her way to even greater heights.

  • Amazing Vocals
    author: Peter Hodson

    You know I normally don't buy CDs. I play music myself and generally hate what I hear on the radio.Nicole brings me hope that music like this will survive and thrive.Her voice is like a cool summer breeze that soothes the soul.The emotion of lyric to music is magical and I find myself singing them at any given point of the day.This is the only CD I purchased in 2003 and it was well worth it. Congrats on such a great CD. Pete Hodson http://www.z-plan.com

  • Nicole and Genie are my favorites
    author: Breathy music lover

    Nicole is cool. Her voice sounds kind of like Genie but Nicole is really, really rockin while Genie is really, really mellow. They're both great. I listen to Nicole when I want to rock out and Genie when I want to mellow out.

  • NICOLE HAS SET A NEW STANDARD FOR INDEPENDENT RELEASES!!
    author: Dave Anderson

    Infectious melodies that stay with you. This is the best written, best produced hook laden independent disc I've ever heard. Nicole's songwriting & Saul's production have raised the bar for independent releases. Every song deserves to be heard. Nicole does a beautiful rendition of McCartney's Junk. As an Indie singer/songwriter I feel compelled to release better product. Can't wait to see a live show, please come to Toronto soon!

  • Captivating—holds up even with overplaying
    author: Rich W

    As revoltingly new age psychobabble as this sounds, it best expresses my feelings: When you discover something new that thrills your inner child's imagination, you can't stop showing it off. Nicole's CD has so captivated me that I keep playing it for friends visiting me at home (even a few strangers off the street) and everyone who comes near my desk at work. Every song is solid and enchanting. And I found Nicole while simply trolling CD Baby for new artists. Too bad she doesn't seem to play live in LA.

  • INFECTIOUS!
    author: Michelle

    Every track tells a story. I swear she reads the pages of my diary and writes songs about them. I love all of her music and this album shows that she has really grown up. Polished, clean, amazing. The mixing is amazing and the Vocals angelically, haunting...as always. Keeping this one in constant rotation in my CD player.

  • Brilliant
    author: Boon

    Simple and brilliant - I love it. She's got a great voice and nice musical scores. Couldn't find any bad or boring tracks on this album. Much more polished production compared to her previous album. The best thing about independant singer/songwriters is that ehy have the freedom to do as they wish and express their music they way they want too. I hope she does get more recognition but not "popularized".

  • Powerful!
    author: Laura T. Lynch of Kweevak.com

    Nicole McKenna is an expert singer/songwriter who composes insightful lyrics and polished arrangements. McKenna is a poignant vocalist with a dynamic range. Stay Awhile is Nicole's second release and it is flawlessly produced by Saul Zonana. This CD is a solid pop rock collection filled with both realism and optimism. Guitar chords are the driving force behind McKenna's music but subtle beats and tones enhance this genuine collection. The CD opens with 'Shameless' an attention grabber with infectious melodies, a powerful hook line and Nicole's strong, rich vocals. It is followed by ‘Take Me Over'. This track showcases McKenna's versatile vocals overlapping textured instrumentation. This song also has a catchy hook line and a sultry tone. 'Ordinary Day' is far from ordinary with dynamic vocals, fluid instrumentation and intelligent storytelling. Nicole McKenna is a powerful singer who has crafted an imaginative soundscape on Stay Awhile!

  • Song for Song As Strong as Anything Out There
    author: Harquil Bold

    And boys like it too!

  • Voice of an angel!
    author: Sooz

    Nicole has evolved from her first CD in such a way, that you feel like she must have gone back to school for hitmakers and graduated top of the class! Her voice in the Lullaby type "Yeah Song" really makes you feel like she could be there singing you to sleep. She brings you full circle with some upbeat songs that get you humming along right away too. This CD has made it into HEAVY rotation in my player. Having gone to see her perform for the release of this CD has made me a big fan, just waiting for more stuff to come out. She just keeps getting better.

  • AWESOME CD by Nicole
    author: Sinem

    Nicole second CD is awesome. So is the first one. It was definately a prize in the mail when I saw it in my mailbox. That excitement you feel when your opening a package and you know that what's inside is something good. And then when you put it into your CD player, you know that it's something great. Definately a CD to get. Brava Nicole.

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