Lili McGovern: Press/Reviews

"Genuine & Priceless" --Indie Music Digest        **********

"From start to finish, “In the Garden & Dancing” is an impressive CD...Its strengths are it’s strong melodic vocal structure, carefree subject matter and strong musical spirit. Vocally, Reardon & McGovern have proven themselves on this record. I tip my hat to the honey V’s for letting it all hang out & for just being themselves. These gals are clearly a lot of fun to hang out with— make no bones about it, this duo possesses a musical spirit that is genuine & priceless. It’s amazing how much vocal energy they possess together..." 

 

Overall Talent Level: 9/10

"The melodies themselves will smother you with honey-coated vocal harmonies from Reardon & McGovern"

"..this is a vocal-driven duo with folksy-type musical overtones...All in all the CD has its moments, showcasing a lot of passion, spirituality, carefree subject matter & deep wisdom. The vocal abilities of Reardon & McGovern are impressive..the two compliment each other very well... The cd offers a lot of musical variety...has a few eccentric & funny moments to it as well../ with lyrical content that will have you rolling on the floor. The CD ends on a solitary note with “Any Way I Do” a passionate end statement serving up deep spiritual persona, and a passionate harmonic finale."

"Honey V’s is led by indie duo Vicky Reardon and Lili McGovern. Alternating vocals and guitar throughout In the Garden & Dancing, the band sings of life, love and motherhood. An extremely personal release, Reardon and McGovern talk about everything from the frustrations they feel as mothers on “Don’t Ever Change” to body image on the comical “Big Ample.”

"The listener can sense the passion and excitement for music McGovern and Reardon have throughout the 12 tracks on In the Garden & Dancing. A very organic sounding release, both women’s voices blend well together with the accompanying music."

"Full of emotion and unique storylines, honey V’s latest release separates them from the pack. Whether it’s their comical lyrics, stripped down acoustic tracks or vocal harmonies, the duo manages to keep the listener’s attention."

"I loved the whole thing [Honey V's original songs, Seasons of the Witch poetry/songs, covers]! My friends also loved it. You two are so different than the norm; You are a breath of fresh air. It was great to hear from people that love their craft...Thanks so much!"

CD REVIEW: Lili McGovern - A Bare Calliope
By Don Sechelski - 09/24/2008 - 09:36 PM EDT
Artist: Lili McGovern
Album: A Bare Calliope
Label: One Eyed Turtle Productions
Website: http://www.lilimcgovern.com
Genre: Acoustic Folk/Rock
Technical Grade: 10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10
Commercial Value: 9
Performance Skill: 10
CD Review:

"...It's difficult to pick out a favorite track, each one has unexpected little treats.
Lili's songs are beautifully crafted and exude heartfelt emotion. Her lyrics are personal and true. The arrangements from Stu are perfect. The entire production has a quality that points to a very high level of artistry...
A Bare Calliope is the best thing to come out of the great northwest this year.

(for a full review, please visit the Muse's Muse website)

"I thoroughly enjoyed Lili's set. She has a wonderful spirit that
comes through nicely through her singing and playing..."

Lili McGovern’s voice sparkles with echoes of an opera yet unwritten; She is an aria accompanied by a lute - sung in the garden while dancing, with whispered love words to hummingbirds and dragonflies, and you and I are left to reel in this ethos…

"Lili's music is a journey of loveliness…Her songs of passion, combined with her creamy voice, soothe the soul.”

(On opening set for Dar Williams at the Discovery Theater, Anchorage, AK)

McGovern possesses a clear, lilting voice, best showcased on such originals as "In the Garden & Dancing" and "No Crumbs." Unexpected tempos and chord changes along with her delicate guitarwork kept it interesting.

“I can’t say enough times how much I admire Lili’s work.”

If more children listened to this, they’d have fewer self-esteem issues growing up. Lili McGovern steps out of her debut CD with “Say It Out Loud,” a 60s-vibe folk anthem about expressing yourself and chasing your dreams. She is joyful, confident, and defiant. If this music thing doesn’t work out, she’d be a great motivational speaker.

But I think the music thing will work out fine. She weaves and ancient, mysterious spell into every track, making some of them feel almost sacred. She may have a Buddhist approach, but I hear her celebrating the goddess in tracks like “My Heart Knows.” “I am not bound by your needs,” she sings, strong and proud, and the repressed soul stirs in response.

McGovern remains straightforward in most of her lyrics. However, she knows how to speak in poetry as well. When I read the lyrics for “Melt” in the liner notes and saw the first line, “butterflies flutter tickly my sin,” I thought the last word was a misprint. It wasn’t. It’s a clever line leading into a song about sexual tempation. She uses the same lyrical play to tactfully deal with the subject of child abuse in “Done Being Pretty.” Nothing graphic, but we know exactly what she means when she says, “He tucks me in at night with a sinister hand, a perverted cat-and-mouse game.”

I’m sure McGovern’s warm, pulse-quickening voice provides an alluring haven for music fans in her home state of Alaska. We may need to borrow her down here in the rest of the States this winter.”

"For years, Lili McGovern denied the evidence in front of her.
The piano. The guitar. The voice. The music that had always been there.
McGovern faced reality four years ago after assessing the dynamics of her everyday life. "I've got everything together," the 30-something singer remembered thinking, "and there was something missing. It was my music."
McGovern faced the music, literally, and admitted the obvious: She was a musician. But not just a musician at heart. A musician in mind, body, and soul.
So the part-time singer, pianist and guitar-player and now a grown-up, full-time mom, decided to rekindle a lifelong dream to make an album. But McGovern didn't just rekindle; she doused, sparked and kicked. She started playing gigs, solo and with local group The Derry Aires. She took inspiration from other performers. She wrote songs and attended songwriting camps. She practiced ever single day.
Last week, McGovern finally held her dream in her hand and released "A Bare Calliope," a 14-song CD of her visions, explorations and dreamy pop-folk expressions...She penned songs about butterflies, love and her Buddhist visions but also stepped in to deep reflective and sometimes dark places to release internal pain, through such songs as "Torn" and "Done Being Pretty"....Most of the album is blanketed in a warm spirit that Schulman said McGovern glows with.

"...Lili McGovern showed off a stunning soprano with true pop stylings...."