|
Evonne Rivera |
|
|
Friday, 05 October 2007 |
 An invigorating, powerful voice, enriching lyrics, and a remarkable stage presence are hallmarks of singer/songwriter Evonne Rivera.
Influenced by such artists as Etta James, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin, Evonne Rivera's music is filled with soulful, Old School energy and captivating hooks.
No stranger to the stage, Evonne previously performed before packed audiences, in renowned venues throughout Los Angeles such as The House of Blues, The El Rey Theatre and The Viper Room, as the back-up vocalist in the acclaimed, speak-easy jazz show, The Toledo Show.
Within the walls of the notorious Maverick Studios, Evonne recorded the sultry back-up vocals on The Toledo Show album, "Fishnets and Cigarettes", released by Moonshine Records.
In search of finding her own sound, Evonne left The Toledo Show to form the band Ragdoll, and performed as the lead singer and songwriter throughout Los Angeles and Pasadena in popular venues such as Luna Park, The Baked Potato and The Joint.
After becoming pregnant, Evonne took a break from performing live to focus on being a mother. However, determined to learn more about the business of music, Evonne soon acquired three-years experience as a record promoter for commercial radio.
Ready to reveal her passion and story to the world, Evonne started her own independent label, Sweet Bottom Records, in 2004 and began working with Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Rodney Shelton.
Evonne Rivera released her first 3-song CD in February, 2005 which was nominated as "Best Adult Alternative Album of the Year" for the 2005 LA Music Awards!
Evonne then performed once again throughout Los Angeles in some of LA's premier venues including The Cinegrill, Monsoon Cafe, B.B. King's and The Key Club.
On June 13th, 2006, Evonne released her debut album titled "WHAT IF", which includes the talents of renowned drummer Gerry Brown (Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross), and bass player C.C. Thomas Jr. (Babyface, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson).
After taking some time off to have her second child in late 2006, Evonne Rivera is now performing once again, this time, as part of the "Women on the Move, Beautiful Tour" raising funds for Domestic Violence Women Shelters throughout the state of California.
Evonne is currently performing her live show in her hometown of Pasadena, CA at Holly Street Bar & Grill, and intends on performing her show throughout California by Summer 2008. |
Press
Release:
CELEBRITYCAFE.COM
Evonne Rivera - What If
- “What If” from Evonne Rivera is an adult contemporary album that has oodles of introspective tracks about shunned love and womanly independence. Rivera’s voice has strength, and listeners will be left vulnerable against her potent charm and exuberance.
The first track has meditative organ and piano work. Rivera’s cool, collected timbre is seductive as she recites a narrative about two people meeting, the love story that followed -- complete with hot and passionate moments. “He looked. She looked&They fell. He came, she ran in her heart she could tell. He danced. She watched, he invited her in. She ventured. He kissed her and then it began. They went on to play a game&Stirrin’ up passion. Water and fire.”
The second track has what sounds like saxophone play along with keyboard work, which makes for a sensually smooth jazz rhythm. Rivera then talks about washing away recollections of her man, having a good time with her friends, and forgetting her romantic disturbances. “Washed my sheets. Washed my clothes from the scent of his cigar. Took a day off to let go. Be alone, be alone some place far. Went out all night with my friends.” It seems Rivera needs to elude the image and thoughts about her partner, and she accomplishes that by surrounding herself with close companions and going out on the town.
The third track has silky percussion play and strong piano work. Rivera’s radiant vocals open the song, which is about fleeing a place she hates. “I’m gonna pack our bags. Get the h*ll our of this town just wash the car and got a full tank of gas&Freedom, freedom, freedom to do your thing. Freedom, freedom, freedom we can do anything. Freedom, freedom, freedom to do your thing. Freedom, freedom, freedom we can do anything. When I was a single mom, they said settle down give up them dreams&But I keep hearin’ what my dad once said to me, he said, ‘Girl. just put your heart and soul and you’ll achieve it’” This is a fabulous empowerment song for women who have undergone tough times in their lives, and Rivera shouts for them not to let go of their fantasies and go for it. Her voice holds such resilience and self-assuredness that listeners, especially female ones are bound to feel the same.
Evonne Rivera’s “What If” has tracks that speak to listener's lives. Rivera’s timbre goes from laid-back to strapping, which will entice listeners to think “What if?”
Reviewer: Sari N. Kent
Reviewer's Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 10.00
BUDDYHOLLYWOOD.COM
Evonne Rivera Asks "What If"; We Ask 'Why Not'
Written by Mike Parker
What If
By Evonne Rivera
Sweet Bottom Records
Evonne Rivera might have been born 100 years too late. Listening to What If, Ms. Rivera’s debut on her own Sweet Bottom Records label, I got the feeling I should have been planted on a bar stool in some smoky, dimly lit, prohibition-era little dive where everyone speaks in whispers and there is a dame in a slinky red dress with a slit up to her thigh leaning against a baby grand piano while a guy with garters on his sleeves is tickling the keys. These are crying in your whiskey songs, about broken hearts and broken vows; love and lust; degradation and redemption, sung with conviction and experience that is only slightly jaded.
Ms. Rivera possesses a formidable set of pipes, and displays an easy, natural ability to wrap her vocals around a tune and either caress it lovingly, or throttle it into humble submission. “Old Wounds” and “I Shall Be Released” are twin examples of her remarkable emotional range. She makes that transition from Vampy Vixen to Virtuous Virgin without so much as a blush. “Stormy Blues” effectively showcases her command of the blues language, while “Unsteady” reveals the softer side of this jazz singer.
What If borders on the autobiographical, which makes the emotions all the more poignant. This is a great project for small gatherings of intimate friends with wine and cheese. Or maybe for a small dimly lit dive with a spotlight on the piano, and there is a woman in a slinky red dress &... |
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Webpage: http://www.evonnerivera.com |
| Location: pasadena, ca, usa |
| Description: Evonne Rivera is a powerful, yet sultry voice combined with an amazing stage presence that draws you in to an emotionally, honest journey of vulnerability and strength, backed by a phenominal, all-star band. |
| |
|
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 10 August 2009 )
|
|
|
