Donna De Lory - Bliss (1999)

Well-known as one of Madonna's longtime featured vocalist, Donna De Lory has written, produced and independently distributed her newest album, Bliss. Donna and her musical partner cellist, Cameron Stone came from wildly varying backgrounds to forge a common bond in their love of music. For Donna, music was ingrained in her soul literally before her birth in Malibu Canyon, CA. Her grandfather played upright bass and cello for the Warner Bros.Studio Orchestra, her father was a studio musician and producer for people like The Beach Boys,Phil Spector and Glen Campbell, and her mother a singer/dancer.
Donna was formerly signed with MCA Records as a solo artist in 1993, where her self-titled debut spawned a number-one hit in Japan and a top 10 song on the Billboard dance charts. In 1994, after finishing a world tour with Madonna, she hooked up with now partner Cameron Stone and created the music for BLISS. BAND_MEMBERS: The current band includes Cameron Stone (Tracy Chapman, Jewel) on cello and guitar, bassist, Mark Browne (Melissa Etheridge), Donna De Lory playing harmonium, werlitzer & percussion and drummers, Jay Bellerose (Paula Cole)and Quinn.

Donna De Lory drew inspiration for her enchanting and ethereal pop CD Bliss from a deep well. Having grown up in an intensely creative environment–her father, Al De Lory, is a musician and record producer who has worked with the Beach Boys and Phil Spector, and her mother is a dancer and singer–it's not surprising that she would blossom into an artist in her own right. What is pleasantly surprising, though, is that De Lory should produce such a mature and accomplished work as her debut independent release. Bliss begins with "On and On," a life-affirming song that is right at home both musically and lyrically with Madonna's recent Eastern-influenced music. The best track in the set may be "A Woman's Pride," recalling Kate Bush with its funky, rolling rhythm and intoxicating, vulnerable-yet-strong vocal performance. De Lory and company gently bring us back to earth with the intimate vocal and cello interplay on their interpretation of "Amazing Grace," deftly capturing the sentiment and the essence of this timeless song. Cameron Stone's fluid, penetrating work on cello and bass is an integral part of the musical setting, which includes guitar, keyboards, percussion, and De Lory's own harmonium playing–the music serves De Lory's stunning voice to perfection. –Michael Wells

Tracklist:

01. On And On (05:02)
02. Hold Me Now (04:30)
03. Where I've Never Been (04:10)
04. Only Time (04:44)
05. Go Talk To Mary (05:19)
06. Love Never Dies (04:37)
07. Please (04:31)
08. Te Amo (03:45)
09. Free (03:42)
10. A Woman's Pride (04:38)
11. Amazing Grace (05:33)