Eileen Hazel is a bard of the human soul. Her minstrel spirit and finely crafted songs will take you on a journey from the depths of sorrow to the healing solace of laughter. Spark (2005), Eileen's newest CD, is a shimmering collection filled with pagan spirituals and songs of love, loss and redemption. Eileen co-produced the CD with Lisa Zeiler (of the tremendously popular radical folk trio Rebecca Riots), who also contributes some righteous electric and acoustic guitar elements to the album. Eileen's first-rate songwriting talents are brought into focus by her own compelling lead vocals and acoustic guitar work on this sophomore album. They are enhanced by the radiant talents of many other fine Bay Area musicians, including: *Green & Root, Andrea Prichett (of Rebecca Riots), Jamie Isman, Spring Berlandt and J.Byrd Hosch on harmony vocals *Julie Wolf (formerly of Ani DiFranco's band) on keyboards *Paul Van Wageningen on drums *Ben Decker on bass *Jeff Baldwin on pedal steel and dobro *Ellen Seeling trumpet *Deb Lane on percussion The tracks on Spark are strongly rooted in the modern folk tradition; yet pull in many other elements as well, from the sweet country strains of "Love Is Fickle" and "Body to the Worms" to the bluesy electric raunchiness of "15 Minute Crush". Song titles: * Always - a lush tribute to the beauty of Hawai'i * Call On Me - a lullaby to comfort an inner child * Do Me Any Good - an ode to an unrequited crush * Love Is Fickle - a humorous yet poignant look at longing for love * My Grief - written in the aftermath of a painful breakup * In Love With The World - a prayer of gratitude to the Mother of us all * Fifteen Minute Crush - an anthem to instantaneous lust and fantasy * Handy Little Invention - a reproach to drivers who don't use their turn signals, complete with yodeling * Maggie's Song - a song of welcome to a new baby in the world * Sweet and Rough - a sultry and intimate love song * Open Up - a capella gospel-folk chant invoking light, love, and truth * Body To The Worms - a garden-variety view of reincarnation "Feminist sensibilities might be soothed into just chillin' a bit with sacred and solemn tunes as well as upbeat songs...really, she rocks or, at least, folk rocks and serves up a great vibe akin to the Indigo Girls. Her sweet soulful voice works through the truth that each must find for themselves." - SF Spectrum