Album Notes

This album pays tribute to the life and legacy of Argentine legend Mercedes Sosa, who passed away on October 4, 2009. Sosa played a key role in the international 1960s movement called "Nueva Canción" (meaning New Song). Originating in Chile and Argentina, the Nueva Canción movement combined traditional folk music with socially and politically charged lyrics - eventually leading many musicians and activists to be arrested, murdered or forced into exile. In spite of the political oppression, the movement continued to grow and develop with new artists using Nueva Canción as a means of affecting social change.

Lively, who is originally from San Antonio, TX, chose some of the most powerful songs of this movement and embellished them with her own unique style and flavor. Her raw, soulful voice blends beautifully with the wide array of instrumentation including the accordion, charango and fiddle to create songs filled with passion and love.

Lively and her multi-instrumentalist husband, Jason Lively, became captivated with Latin folk music several years ago while living in the Andes of South America.

"I hope to not only share this important music, but to also spread the stories of the people and the history associated with these amazing songs," Lively says. "Music is beautiful in that it brings people together and can change lives. That, to me, is the most important thing."

Lively plans to tour in support of the album in July 2010.

Recorded at Vanessa's home studio in November of last year, the album was completed in only five weeks, including pre-production, recording, mixing and mastering. Many wonderful Texas musicians leant their talents to the album, including Austin's songstress Suzanna Choffel, who is featured delivering exotic and sensual harmonies. The songs featured on Canto y Cantera are widely known all over South America and beyond, and have been recorded numerous times, but Lively gives a fresh sound to each and brings new life to them in her own unique style.

The album was mastered by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Studios.