decembergirl [EP]

decembergirl [EP]

Track Listings

1. When You Go

2. Return to Me

3. The Wheel

4. Come With Me

5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Editorial Reviews
musicaldiscoveries.com, March 2001
Marina Belica is perhaps the unsung hero of October Project. It is wonderful to hear her singing lead.

Product Description
Marina Belica, singer/songwriter/keyboardist and co-founder of the critically acclaimed band October Project, has released her solo debut, a 5 song EP entitled “decembergirl.” The CD, which features a 3D cover and 3D glasses inside, is released on her own imprint (Decembergirl Records) and includes three original compositions, a reinterpretation of the October Project song “Return to Me,” (for which she reunited most of the original band) and a holiday bonus track.

Marina worked with four New York area producers in the making of “decembergirl”: Joy Askew (“When You Go”); Emil Adler (“Return to Me”), co-founder and band-leader of October Project; Jim Chapdelaine (“The Wheel”), producer and guitarist for Feathermerchants; and Chris Cunningham (“Come With Me” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”), who has performed on guitar with Mary Ann Faithful, Lori Carson and Marshall Crenshaw, among many others.

“When You Go,” the propulsive first track on the CD, features Celtic harp and cello in a song that deals with the difficulty of letting go of a relationship.

The second track, “Return To Me,” is a reinterpretation of October Project's second single, with lyricist Julie Flanders singing the harmony lines originally sung by Marina.

Track three, “The Wheel,” co-written by Marina and singer/songwriter Dana Pomfret, is a look at the repetitive wheel of life. French bassist Francois Moutin and gospel singer Deborah Newallo appear on the track along with Jon Peckman (drums) and Jim Chapdelaine (co-producer, guitars) from Feathermerchants.

The cinematic fourth track, “Come With Me,” which is arranged for tympani, cello, upright bass, and grand piano, especially showcases the expressive trumpet of Randy Brecker.

The CD closes with the holiday song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” a plaintive and contemplative piece that dates from the ninth century. An instrumental section features the Two Siberians, a dynamic electric violin and guitar duo from Irkutsk, Russia.

decembergirl [EP]

Tracks:

When You Go
Return to Me
The Wheel
Come With Me
O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Album Description

Marina Belica, singer/songwriter/keyboardist and co-founder of the critically acclaimed band October Project, has released her solo debut, a 5 song EP entitled “decembergirl.” The CD, which features a 3D cover and 3D glasses inside, is released on her own imprint (Decembergirl Records) and includes three original compositions, a reinterpretation of the October Project song “Return to Me,” (for which she reunited most of the original band) and a holiday bonus track.

“When You Go,” the propulsive first track on the CD, features Celtic harp and cello in a song that deals with the difficulty of letting go of a relationship.

The second track, “Return To Me,” is a reinterpretation of October Project's second single, with lyricist Julie Flanders singing the harmony lines originally sung by Marina.

The cinematic fourth track, “Come With Me,” which is arranged for tympani, cello, upright bass, and grand piano, especially showcases the expressive trumpet of Randy Brecker.

Customer Reviews:

Complete waste.......2004-01-09

I DID like October Project and DO like this CD. But somehow I missed that there were only five songs, one which will be deleted from regular play because it's so obviously a Christmas song. For a few dollars, used, MAYBE ... but full price? Or the current used prices of $25? Don't waste your money or time .......

DECEMBERGIRL = melodic fine music.......2003-10-21

Marina Belica's debut album "Decembergirl" with rad 3D glasses to view the cool cover makes this probably the first 3DCD...quirky, charming and penetrating, just like the album itself.

The album runs the gamut from familiar chords we have marveled at from her past with the celebrated band October Project (now gloriously reformed). In fact the first tune is "Return to Me" from her OP past. Her voice now comes from the background to the fore...thankfully! This woman can sing beautifully!

Ms. Belica is a first rate musician. As a pianist her chops are superior, and in this age of digitized music, there is no cheating or samples and "adopted sounds." This is clear, original melodic music that brings together all of Ms. Belica's considerable talents as composer, pianist, songstress and performer.

The songs are eerie, compelling and filled with the same feeling you get on a fresh, clear morning when you wake rested ready to take on the world. Life's challenges come to the fore in the lyrics and like the survivors she alludes to, the sounds succeed -- fresh, full of inspiration and with a verve that captures soulfulness.

While this 5-song debut album is short, you are in for one of those "good things come in small packages" moments. You won't be disappointed. In fact, you will push the "repeat" button on your CD player and become a Belica fan like the thousands before you.

You are in for a treat, now go spend the $!

It's delicious, it's delightful, it's delovely....................2003-10-21

Once in a great while an artist steps backs from his or her work, surmises just what direction he or she would like to go in and then simply by placing one paintstroke in front of the other - in this case a simple note or two - takes the wind by the sail and gallantly moves towards that which he or she aspires.

With the release of her long awaited CD - DECEMBERGIRL - Marina Belica did what comes so naturely to her. She placed her fingers on the ivories, unfurled that which had been so pointedly and percisly utilyzed in all previous OCTOBER PROJECT CDS ( her deeply enriched and often beguiling voice ) and created an everlasting moment of musically interwoven fabric that only can be brought to your senses through the use of your CD Player.

I suggest you go out right now and seduce your senses by purchasing this first solo project ( which will lead you to the next step on this artist's rising and intensly talented journey). Be not afraid to "go solo" either with the palet in one arm or your voice ringing forth in the other - "See Marina Belica in DECEMBER GIRL."

Marina Belica emmulates wisdom, faith, strength and true belief in destiny - if one simply believes in one's own talent.

In this day in age - we may not need "another hero" but we could surely use a talent as genuine as Ms. Belica's to sooth our weary souls and " lift our lonely eyes up to " for some strength and joy in these times of restlessness and everlasting search for WORLD PEACE.

Here in this CD is one way to lay the foundation for some peaceful and inspiring means to achieve this goal - Marina sings and the whole world should start listening.

Peace.

not much here.......2003-08-16

This being her first album, I have to give here a little credit for her energy and will to go out on her own. Unfortunatley, the songs she did not write are terrible. The song "The Wheel" is a high school effort with forced lyrics and is simply the worst song on the album. The other two she co-wrote are also weak lyrically, and depend to much on the additional musical arrangements to give them a more full and balanced sound. "Return to me" is a beautiful song, which benefits both her voice and the writing talents of her ,now again, October Project bandmates. Now having said this, the last song makes the whole album worth buying. This song really establishes to me where her true voice talents lie. With just her voice and a beautiful melody she was able to convey a truly wonderful song.
She has great voice, but lets not go overboard with praise. This is not a good album. It is a bad album with one great song.

Frightening, or Tear-Worthy?.......2003-03-13

Marina Belica, underrated back up vocalist of her earlier band, The October Project, didn't fail to meet expectations when she released her EP, decembergirl, when she took the stage and let us hear what she could do if given the opportunity. From the haunting, "Return to Me" to the final chords of the CD, I was chilled by the vocal talent, but there was no way I could turn it off then.

Beautiful. Highly recommended.

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