WWW.CTRLALTCOUNTRY.BE - BELGIUM- January 2006
MARISA YEAMAN - Pure Motive (Deep Pearl Records)
3 and a half STARS/5
The life story of Marisa Yeaman is quite out of the ordinary. A journey actually. A trip that began at four, when her adventurous parents took the step of selling their house and in a larger than normal caravan went off to explore the vastness of Australia. The trip became her real life for the next few years, and Yeaman learned much about life "on the road". When at thirteen her father died tragically, as a matter of personal consolation, she began to write vigorously.

The beginning of something beautiful...Yeaman does that still, and how! A lot of her songs speak of travel. Some literal, and some more about the emotional. It is safe to name her a confessional singer-songwriter, for clearly in the creative run-up to her debut, she liberally pens from her own life story.

The large trump card of Yeaman, that strikes us very strongly is how much she reminds us of the voice of Sharlene Spiteri of Texas. With that powerful and particularly soulful instrument she serves up thirteen splendid songs on 'Pure Motive', teasingly crossing genres between roots pop, folk, Americana, country and blues. The result is a treat for anyone who loves acoustic music.
Benny Metten
www.ctrlaltcountry.be