If you’ve heard the mermaids
sing, then you
know that they sound like Marlene
Tholl.
Her haunting voice is that of
an old soul
who has lived many lives, embodied
many forms,
some of them mythical. In this
life, she’s
been incarnated as a singer with
a vocal
palette so colorful as to be
rapturous. In
mere seconds her voice can go
from raw to
warm, edgy to smooth, dark to
bright, recalling
such artists as Kate Bush, Loreena
McKennitt,
PJ Harvey or Lisa Gerrard. She
is, without
conflict or dilution, one woman
with many
voices.
Tholl's self-released debut album, KORE (KOR-ay),
is a creative mix of musical genres that’s
best described as modal exotic rock with
a dash of electronica. Tholl belongs in the
tradition of the English rock songstress,
and the album’s eleven tracks make strong
reference to her Celtic roots. Many of the
songs feature unusual instruments—both medieval
and Middle Eastern—creating a sound that’s
fresh and new. Here, Tholl’s background in
early music and theatre shine through. (She
spent ten years in New York as an actress.)
This recording is full of dramatic and theatrical
moments that show off Tholl’s acting, such
as in the spoken piece on “Silt” (track 6)
and in her collaboration with vocalist Norberto
Z in her retelling of Jimmy Driftwood’s “He
Had a Long Chain On” (track 9) . Tholl's
songs are highly visual and emotionally intense,
sweeping the listener across a vivid sonic
landscape.
Tholl is a demanding and highly charged singer
who isn’t afraid to take risks. Not everyone
can pull off an eclectic mix of rock beats
and historical strings, but Tholl makes it
work. The musical risks in this album—vocal,
lyrical, and instrumental—all pay off. Tholl's
fans, like those of Kate Bush, will be fiercely
loyal and appreciative. What she offers,
a music that transcends genres, is rich,
luminous and entirely unique.
KORE is dedicated to the beloved memory of
Joseph Michael Marques (1962-2003),
a brilliant singer and lyricist, a haunting
performer, a kind mentor,
a fragile, beautiful soul.
La parte de mi corazón que es
para ti,
Está en el aire en las piñeras
de los ladrones
Some nights stay up ‘til dawn
as the moon
sometimes does for the sun.
Be a full bucket, pulled up the
dark way
of a well then lifted out into
light. -- Rumi
Joe was a member of the acclaimed roots rock
band Winter Hours.
