Dave and Victoria: Press Reviews

(Translation)

"I had an immediate attraction, a love at first sight for this couple Dave and Victoria, for their music and their story. Dave Tate, an American musician with a fabulous velvet voice, comes from Utah. He released three excellent albums of intimate folk songs: Home In The Stars(2006), The Solitude Of Here,(2006), and The Final Hour (2008) which you can purchase at CDBaby.com or www.davetatemusic.com I shall tell you more about his solo career later because there is still too much talent this artist really possesses to convey.

 Victoria Lagerstrom is a former Miss Sweden who always wanted to make music since her early childhood. Finding the beauty queen's universe too superficial, she decided to make something more spiritual by letting her magnificent soul voice bloom in her beautiful acoustic music. Her first solo album Heaven Sent(2008), released on CDBaby, will also be reviewed within the next few weeks.

 It was on MySpace, where she spent time promoting her music, that she met Dave. A mutual musical love at first sight initiated their meeting. Lagerstrom visited Tate in the United States. Three weeks later they celebrated their marriage.

 But of this meeting was also born a musical collaboration as interesting as it is soothing. Their duet record,The Same Heart, was released this year. The marriage of both voices is absolutely complete. We manage to feel their osmosis and the love and the respect that they share. For the first time within the framework of a male/female vocal duet nobody gets the upper hand.  Both artists possess sublime voices that complement each other with perfection. The music is acoustic, sweet, and romantic. The simplicity of this record is disarming. It is impossible to be under its spell for only a moment.

 The Same Heart tells the story of the journey of this uncommon couple who decided to ally their talent in the service of the music. You don't have to intellectualize their music. It touches the heart simply: the lyrics are inspired, and Tate’s guitar work has a beautiful fluidity. Both singers have very moving voices and their Folk/Jazz style is very tasty. This is the kind of bedside album that sticks to the skin.

It is enough to listen to the marvels that are Light In The Dark, Break Away, The Height and the Depth and Children Of Zion to convince yourself that it is difficult to make more pleasant music for the ear."

 Final Note: A+

 

The Same Heart

by Dave Tate and Victoria Lagerström

As good as Dave Tate’s and Victoria Lagerström’s solo work sounds, they are at their vest when they combine forces for “The Same Heart.” Here we find their passion for each other expressed in musical form, their smooth voices perfectly compatible as they harmonize over luxuriant textures of saxophone, strings and Tate’s acoustic guitar. At times Tate’s voice is softer, adding harmonies to Lagerström’s powerful vocals. But at in some tracks, like “Life Through Death,” his voice rises to meet hers. Then on songs like “Play” it’s the opposite, with Tate dominating the vocal playground and Lagerström filling in the harmonies. We hear Tat’s range, from a deep tenor to high falsetto, on “Break Away” and Lagerström’s voice soars on cuts like “Children of Zion,” an album standout. As in their solo music, Dave and Victoria usually rise above the clichés in their songwriting, even in love songs, which are often rife with clichés. The album’s title track tells the story of their romance as Tat sings of love coming from across the ocean. They also bring stylistic elements from their solo music with Lagerström adding elements of jazz and soul to Tate’s contemporary folk pop sound.

 

 

Individually Dave & Victoria are phenomenal. Together they are sensational. Much like the ease of two birds in synchronized flight and sharing The Same Heart. Do not miss the chance to see and hear them in concert.

 

 

 

What to do

1. To write a review on Dave’s CD click the link below:

http://cdbaby.com/all/davetatemusic

To write a review on Victoria’s CD click the link below:

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/VictoriaLagerstrom

2. Choose which album you want to write a review on and click it

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Log in to write a review”

4. Give CDBaby your info so you can write a review. No credit card info is needed. It's 100% safe I promise. They ask for your info so they will know where to ship your CD if you decide to buy one. 

5. Write away! Your kind words are appreciated. If you have enjoyed my CDs or the Free Downloads, this is a way to help other people enjoy it as well. To those of you who are saying, “ I want to do more than just write a review, how else can I help Dave Tate put out his next CD? I want to be a musical benefactor.” here are a couple options.

Musical Benefactor Options

1. After you’ve written your review just click on the “Buy Now” Button on that same page to purchase one or more copies of the CD ( they make excellent birthday or Christmas presents)

2. Click the "Donate" Button below to donate securely online.

3. Send a donation to Dave Tate P.O. Box 914 Springdale, UT. 84767 

 

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It's both curious and mind-boggling. After he released the stunning album The Solitude of Here it was expected that record companies would wear out Dave Tate's doorstep. Why this didn't happen is anybody's guess. It may be because Dave Tate cherishes his independence, but he did hint more than once at the fact that his life would be a fair deal easier with a record deal. So the most recent album, The Final Hour, was again released independently.

The Final Hour once again establishes Dave Tate formidable qualities as a singer/ songwriter so enthusiasts of The Solitude of Here can buy this CD blindly. It calls to mind the same salutary atmosphere that The Solitude had. All words of praise I had for The Solitude can be applied to this CD as well: it has as much character as a Nick Drake album; Tate has a voice which can closely resemble the young Paul Simon (Fall to You, Beyond the Veil) and which is very much like that of David Gates in the higher registers. Still, he retains his individual and entirely unique style and so avoids becoming an epigone of the abovementioned singers. Tate's classically trained voice effortlessly sings the higher notes, which have an actual function in the songs and aren't meant to show off. These notes give the tracks an additional suspense and overtones. Apart from this, Tate's diction is perfect so one can clearly hear the separate words in the lyrics. Furthermore, Tate has a certain, clearly recognisable, way of playing the guitar in which he alternates between flowing and staccato melodies and rhythms (Fourth of July,Rainy Days).

The entire album exudes a comfortable sense of peace and serenity. The poetic lyrics shouldn't be subjected to interpretation, which would be no easy task anyway because they're rather mysterious at times. They have to be felt instead. Dave Tate gives his listener room to do this. He weaves pauses into his compositions by using short breaks or guitar riffs so the listener has time to let everything sink in. I really like this style in which mindfulness and intensity go hand in hand. In some tracks I miss Ann Marshall and Joe Jones who respectively played the violin and the bassoon on The Solitude. Cellist Ryan Kratsch does feature on this CD again and the way in which the cello harmonises with Tate's vocals and guitar is a true treat for the ears. The devotee will have to go to Cdbaby or Tate's website in order to get their own copy. As far as I'm concerned Tate is the best singer/songwriter around at the moment.

Grade: 9 out of 10

 

Brilliant Dave Tate and Victoria Lagerstrom.

I still find it totally inexplicable that two years ago someone like Dave Tate could make such amazing albums as The Solitude of Here, In The Rhythm and Home Is In The Stars, from which such an exceptional talent spoke as a singer, as a guitar player, as a songwriter, as a producer, as an arranger and he still couldn't find a record company interested in releasing any of them. How mistaken all these people were, is evident when we played Dave Tate's latest CD The Final Hour, as this album is even more heart stoppingly beautiful than his previous records, a feat we didn't think possible.

There didn't seem to be any way his singing or guitar playing could be improved, and although we thought the same of his songwriting, he succeeds in lifting the basic level another notch, so that his own unique style (think of a cross between Paul Simon and Jeff Buckley, not just in style but also in quality) hits such a level of perfection that it's hard to comprehend anything more beautiful.

It's a quality that made the gorgeous Swedish singer-songwriter Victoria Lagerstrom contact him via e-mail, fall in love with him and resulted in a marriage in the spring of 2007. Lagerstrom had already recorded the CD Heaven Sent in Sweden, more richly produced, although slightly less unique than her new husband's albums, but still with a quite striking style all of her own, in which elements seem to come together of Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Gladys Knight and Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies). At once soulful and folky, Lagerstrom manages to sound angel like and down to earth at the same time, making the timeless Heaven Sent a more than enjoyable record on its own merits.

“The Final Hour”

by Dave Tate

Although the instrumentation on Dave Tate’s “The Final Hour” is fairly sparse – Tate’s acoustic guitar along with occasional cello and light percussion – he still manages to find that lush sound that gives his music more tonal depth than traditional folk music. Tat’s brand of contemporary folk is more about the melody than the words, but he’s also a skilled songwriter who doesn’t give into clichés. His clear vocals stand out on “Fall to You,” which could serve as a blueprint of how love songs should sound. It sounds strange to say a guy has a beautiful voice, but Tate does, and his operatic training is apparent on tracks like the majestic “Music” as he perfectly describes his own sound: “Music to soothe the soul.” He’s no slouch when it comes to the guitar either. His finger-work rings out on “Music” and “Now I’m Off” and chimes on “Not Alone” and “Rainy Days.” “Beyond the Veil” sports an addictive riff and “Service of the Song” practically explodes with sound.

 

Supertalent

Once in a blue moon you discover an artist who is so incredibly good that you can't really believe not all music magazines are writing about him already. To me Dave Tate is such a person. I read a review of The Solitude of Here on the CDBaby website, listened to a few tracks and was immediately sold. What a marvellous voice! At once versatile, dynamic and angel-like. What a songs! Like Paul Simon at his best or Don McLean at his most spiritual (The Grave). What a wonderful melodies! What great guitar playing! And what a beautiful sound! Warm, clear, and also quite special through the accompaniment of violin, cello and bassoon.

At the same time as The Solitude of Here Dave Tate also sent another album he had just finished, now with a full band, going under the name Dave Tate Music. Where The Solitude of Here is quiet and spiritual, In the Rhythm is jazzy and rocking, in a way that reminds one of Jeff Buckley's Grace, with the same kind of evasive, gripping melodies and sung by an equally beautiful voice. The great thing about Dave Tate is that he reminds you of all these greats, but at the same time has a unique style that's all his own.

Whether you hear his quieter side or his jazzier, more rocking stuff, it's all quite distinct, without becoming, even for the slightest moment, impenetrable or slick. I'm baffled that he shouldn't be able to find a regular record company, as he possesses the special kind of talent you only see come alone once a decennium. If you're lucky. 

"This is by far the most grabbing male folk album to come through our doors in months. It's hard not to make comparisons to Paul Simon's more sensitive folk writing with a similar mix of warmth, open space, breathy vocals, innocence and a dewy, green clarity of intention. His songs have a way of stealing your breath away and removing you momentarily from the passing of time, suspending you in full-body harmonies. While he has a knack for open-hearted, reflective songs, there is the slightest echo of acoustic jam band writing, giving this album a well-balanced emotional scope from track one to eleven. Bravo."

Dave Tate: an Exceptionally Talented First-Rate Singer/Songwriter

Every now and again you may find that words are inadequate to describe the beauty of a CD, which makes, to use a paraphrase of one of Frank Zappas quotations, writing about music as awkward as dancing about architecture. Nevertheless Ill make an attempt to do so.

 You rarely come across a CD of such exquisite quality that you are entirely enthralled by it. A CD which is always close to your sound system so you can play it daily. A CD which keeps you awake because you cant seem to get some of its passages out of your head and which, when played in company, will immediately stop all conversation and make people ask you about its artist and title. In short, a CD which will make your heart beat faster and which will dominate your musical life for a longer period of time.

 The brilliant singer/songwriter who made such a CD is Dave Tate. My attention was drawn to his CD, The Solitude of Here, by a review in Heaven magazine, in which he was given high praise, which still seems like an understatement after youve heard the album. The Solitude of Here makes you feel nostalgic because it takes you back to the time of the great singer/songwriters. In some songs, such as Into Mercy or Rose, Tate sounds somewhat like a young Paul Simon, while comparisons of his voice to those of David Gates and Don McLean are obvious when he sings in a high pitched voice. In addition to that, The Solitude of Here, has the introspective, intimate quality of a Nick Drake CD.

 

All of these musicians have made important contributions to music in the past and I am much mistaken if Dave Tates name wont be added to this list, in time. Still he is not an epigone of the examples I mentioned above. This is due to Dave Tates talent to revive old times without wanting to sound or sounding old fashioned. Dave Tate's themes are universal but his approach is anything but that. This can already be heard in the opening track, Evensong. After you've just recovered from hearing Tates marvellous voice and virtuoso guitar-playing, a bassoon joins in to give the track an additional emotional overtone. You know youve come across something special from that moment on. The next track, Left a Mark, is a breathtakingly beautiful composition which is a perfect synthesis between vocals/guitar music and chamber music. The trio of classically trained musicians, consisting of Anne Marshall (violin), Ryan Kratsch (cello) and Joe Jones (bassoon),adds depth and dynamics to several tracks through subtle contributions. The vocal climax in Harmony, which in itself is no small feat, is intensified by superb string music by Marshall and Kratsch and in Light was Low the polyphonic cello and violin music pull right at your heartstrings.

 But the elements which make this album into a true listening experience are Dave Tate’s voice and guitar playing. This can be heard in songs such as Light was Low, The Faucon or Rose. All songs are sung, or to put it more aptly, experienced by Tate with great intensity, which makes them get under my skin permanently. The tracks on this CD are characterized by vulnerable poignancy instead of cheap sentiment or melodrama.

 Dave Tate has released this album on his own, dubbing and mastering it himself. The recordings are either unbelievably clear, or they've been made in an exceptionally good recording studio. Its hard to believe but this CD isn't distributed and can only be bought on the Internet at www.cdbaby.com/artist/davetate, where you can also listen to fragments of the album. This CD deserves to be better distributed; it should be available at every record shop. This masterpiece is worthy of a place in the singer/ songwriter Hall of Fame. I discovered that The Solitude of Here is not a nine days wonder when I got hold of Tates second album Home is in the Stars, on which he validates his exceptional talent.

Rating: 9,5 (out of 10)

Original review at www.folkforum.nl in Dutch (translation: Mijke van de Wiel) 

SWEDISH SINGER ON THE RISE

Victoria Lagerstrom - Heaven Sent

When you think of female groups or vocalists from Sweden that have made an impact here in the United States, the first knee-jerk reaction is to instantly blurt out ABBA. Unfair as it may seem, revered or loathed, ABBA always seems to be the subliminal barometer for which Americans unjustly compare any new female act that happens to come from our Nordic neighbors across the pond. Ace of Base? The Synth-Pop ABBA. The Cardigans? Why, the Alternative Pop-Rock ABBA, of course! Thankfully, in last decade, we’ve had a virtual treasure trove of overtly talented female artists and/or bands of Swedish descent that have mercifully been spared that previously mentioned pigeonhole. Examples, you ask? Try on for size Lena Karlsson from the criminally underrated Electro-Pop group Komeda or Victoria Bergstrom from indie darlings The Concretes and Taken By Trees. Or if you like your Swedish vixens a bit more Punk you could do much worse than Sahara Hotnight’s own Maria Andersson.  However, all of these gifted ladies need shove over to make room for one more, because Swedish chanteuse Victoria Lagerstrom is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter with talent to spare.

Locals of Southern Utah consider yourselves spoiled, because we’re lucky enough to have this Swedish songbird now residing in none other than nearby Springdale. I was curious: of all places in the world, why Springdale? The answer was simple: love, of course. Lagerstrom is married to revered local musician Dave Tate and together they crafted 2007s duo record, The Same Heart. They even embarked on a successful tour of the Netherlands as well last year. Now 2008 finds Lagerstrom releasing her debut solo album, and the rewards this album brings to her audience are many.

Being a slender, waif-like blonde who majors in a style of music that is both introspective and vulnerable, Lagerstrom will instantly garner comparisons to tragedy laced Folk artist Eva Cassidy. But that’s where the comparisons end. In all actuality, Lagerstrom is blessed with vocals that are like a collage of Beth Gibbons of Portishead, Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies and Gladys Knight all molded into one. Musically, Heaven Sent is peppered with a smorgasbord of top-tiered Swedish musicianship – too many to mention here. Tango-style string arrangements and muted horns perfectly compliment the overall beauty that is the opening and my personal favourite, self-titled track. “Eva”, a bare-boned and touchingly heartfelt tribute to Lagerstrom’s mother, is tastefully sprinkled with hushed piano work, while my second favourite of the bunch, “Who Is This Man” echoes delicate reverb electric-guitar work that is very Cowboy Junkies. An absolute delight, Victoria Lagerstrom will be touring Southern Utah and beyond over the next year. She is truly a powerhouse not to be missed if you’re lucky enough to be near a city in which she’s performing. Visit her Web site www.victorialagerstrom.com, for complete tour details. While you’re there, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Heaven Sent, a beautiful record that deserves an audience.

"How I wish for a moment I had a magic way to share with the entire world the incredible music of Victoria Lagerstrom. When Victoria sings...I begin to dream of new love, of starting over and of hope. Do not miss the chance to see and hear her in concert. It's simply magic."

Victoria Lagerström's Scandinavian heritage never shows through on Heaven Sent, her sumptuous collision of jazz, soul and pop. Horns and strings add musical layers to the standard guitar, bass, drums and various keyboards to produce songs that often defy genre classification. We hear Latin elements on the title track, retro soul on Bringing It Back and even some blues on Loose Ends while all of it has an overriding jazz influence...At the center of each song is Lagerström's remarkable voice. She has the soul of Gladys Knight, tonal qualities of Billie Holiday and soaring qualities of Barbara Streisand. Yet it's Annie Lennox that her voice most closely resembles. Her voice is so inviting that you want to wrap yourself in it like a warm blanket.

“Heaven Sent”, the new album from Victoria Lagerström, is fascinatingly beautiful and filled with different emotions. It strikes me how big the sound is, even though the arrangements are basic...It also strikes me how carefully each song has been produced, where each track has it’s own characteristics and feeling. The arrangement is created after the principle “less is more” and guided by what the song has to offer, and not according to a common band setup. And on top of this, Victoria’s soft soul-jazz voice, like a young to midaged Joni Mitchell.

 

At once soulful and folky, Lagerström manages to sound angel like and down to earth at the same time, making the timeless Heaven Sent a more than enjoyable record.