CD Review: Tia McGraff – Break These Chains
by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International
Label: Bandana Records
Nighthawk
Reckonin’
Stranger To Paradise
Break These Chains
Conductor For A Day
Messed Up World
Safer Place
Saints And Angels
Between The Bed And The Door
Come Up Roses
Abigail
Whiskey Ship
Tia McGraff is a singer-songwriter from Canada with Transylvanian roots through her grandparents. She recorded this CD with her husband Tommy Parham. Her lyrics are from her life, her experiences and are sung very convincingly.
Track 1 “Nighthawk” sounds very mystical due to the muffled cello background. In track 5 she sings about the longing and then the joy and feelings of a child who wants to be a train conductor for a day. Tia not only has an angelic voice, she also sings about angels on track 8 “Saints and Angels” and track 11 “Abigail”, a historical story. The last track is about prohibition and sounds a bit like a shanty.
A well-rounded selection of songs.
About Tia McGraff:
Hailing from just south of Toronto, Ontario Canada, Tia McGraff is an internationally-renowned, award-winning Americana/singer-songwriter and author. Accompanying Tia on her musical journey is her life/musical partner, Tommy Parham. The two met and married while both were living in Nashville, TN and have enjoyed an extensive career performing, song writing and recording together for more than 12 years. They bring such an honesty and passion to their music that they have even been described as the modern day, Johnny and June! 2015-2017 were stand out years for Tia and Tommy, with sold out shows around the world (including the coveted, Bluebird Café, in Nashville, TN); international acclaim for their cd release Crazy Beautiful and radio play on such notable shows as Bob Harris Country on BBC Radio 2 in the UK. With the 2018 release of Stubborn In My Blood, first single, “Strong” is already reaching beyond all demographics and boundaries, having been adopted by “Me2” and women’s empowerment groups around the world! New single, a cover of the classic, “One Tin Soldier” is sure to light up summer radio playlists. A gifted author, Tia’s children’s book, Jake The Road Dawg has helped raise funds and awareness for her local chapter of The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Seven international CD releases, various film/tv placements, and numerous nominations and awards (including Americana CD of the year first round nomination for 2016 Grammy Awards), have earned Tia and Tommy a respect in the music industry and a global fan base. The duo have a gift for ‘getting to the heart of the matter’ and writing relatable songs about life, love and this crazy world we live in.