Melanie Zipin

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Reviews
“Still waters run deep”
“ Melanie Zipin’s new recording, “Shades of Blue,” is a step backwards, but actually in the right direction. Her debut CD, “On a Wing,” (2000) featured the Z Factor band and at times the production seemed to overpower her. Still, “On a Wing” is considered by many to be one of the best records to come out of New Mexico during the past five years, but “Shades of Blue” surpasses it in its honesty, grit and writing. “
The Taos News - THE HUM by Brandt Legg
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“It (Shades of Blue) sounds great! Sorta an Alternative Country Rickie Lee Jones. We’ll be happy to play it!”
Ira Gordon-GM/Program Director, KBAC-KSFQ/Santa Fe
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“The voice of an angel!”
Ricardo Trujillo - Producer, Voz del Valle - KRWG-TV, Las Cruces
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"Thanks for the CD (On A Wing )! It's one of the best I have heard out of New Mexico - and we have hundreds."
Brandt - Spotlight On New Mexico - KTAO Radio/Taos
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“heartfelt lyrics and electric velvet voice!”
Melanie Fuller - Silver City Press
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"With a voice reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, Melanie's songs flow with a homegrown beauty."
Ana Egge – Singer Songwriter
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On A Wing: “From out of the dust of Silver City, New Mexico comes a brand new voice that could have huge success in country, blues, folk or even funk. An odd mix from the Southwest? Maybe, but Melanie Zipin's 13-song release is an energetic, passionate and eclectic blend of a great female voice, excellent instrumentation and good lyrics.”
“....... The Music, .... a wonderfully and simply-written tribute to the power of and love for music:
"..I hope it rains. I hope it pours. Lightning strikes and thunder roars. Far too many revolving, revolving doors. But, the music -- takes everything. It takes everything heavy and makes it light; takes everything wrong and makes it alright; takes everything grey and brings it into the light, out into the light..."
Kinda like her own music.”
Les Reynolds - Indie-Music.com
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Melanie Zipin’s Shades of Blue is tough to categorize. Like many New Mexico vocalists, Zipin and her band have learned to be versatile. I can just imagine folks in Silver City kicking back to hear her slower tunes, then hopping up to some two-stepping to country songs and later rocking on funky riffs.
Shades of Blue offers a good mix of songs by this talented lyricist and engaging vocalist. She sings with heartfelt honesty about life and its many challenges. Her warm, soulful voice is charged with emotion and, at times, reaches a plaintive edge.
Zipin lived in Taos in the late ‘70s but moved back to her home of Philadelphia in 1985. Her love of the Land of Enchantment, however, lured her to the Silver City area in the early ‘90s. She’s penned most of the lyrics but gets an assist on the melody from her husband and musical partner, Jeff LeBlanc, on a few cuts. “Catch My Breath” dedicated to LeBlanc, expresses her grateful love for the man who accepts her with “the many ghosts that haunt me.” The two also perform as a duo, and I’d love to hear a future acoustic recording of her arresting lyrics and voice.
The lyrical power of “Cross Your heart” tugs at the hearts of all of us who’ve lost touch with old friends. The chorus refrain: “A moments friendship/ a lifetime later/ it will never be a loss/ still I wonder/ though time has faded/ do I ever cross your heart/ cross your heart.” While her poetic words tend to pack a punch, they’re often couched in upbeat melodies provided by her talented band. Maria Dahl-Bredine provides beautiful harmony vocals. Silver City is gaining recognition as a haven for artists, and certainly the presence of Melanie Zipin can only add to that aura.
NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE - DESERT MUSE by Emily Drabanski
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