REVIEWS

Violets and Blues –Reviewer; Steve O'Donnell
6/10/08, Leicester Bangs, UK
This singer songwriter has a voice that sounds like a combination of the (younger) Linda Ronstadt and Trisha Yearwood. This is an album of strong material kicking off with the title track which sounds like old style country and western, but then moves seamlessly to the modern pop sound so currently popular with "In Chicago". However, what hit me the most was the original lyrical material. "Bob The Dogwalker" is particularly amusing and interesting as haven't we all fancied people we have seen doing daily routine chores! I know I have! "Don't Forget Your Angel" is the standout track for me and I feel is a big country hit in the making. http://www.leicesterbangs.co.uk/

Alta Vista Sky – Reviewer: Rich Warren
For Sing Out! Fall, 2003
Some young singer songwriters leap into recording a CD when they’re far from ready. Donna Adler spent a decade learning the form and refining her abilities before releasing Alta Vista Sky …and the wait was worth it. She has crafted a completely professional CD. With a stronger voice than I remember from a decade ago, joined by a crew of real musicians, she recorded 11 songs for this self-produced release. Donna exhibits surprisingly good production skills for a novice, and she knows how to express the ideas and feelings she has written into her songs. The production finds the happy medium between folk and pop. Her songs are catchy and mostly personal …the exception being “Nadia,” offering deep insight about a child prodigy violinist in a brief three minutes. You can tell Adler has put her heart and soul into this CD.

Alta Vista Sky – Reviewer: Mike Mendelson
The Ectophiles’ Guide
This is a great album. It has always amazed me when someone can take simple, straightforward chords and guitar notes, and yet come up with songs that are original and hooky enough to be fresh and new. Traditional angles are elevated both by the clarity, purity and richness of Adler’s voice, and by the subtle appropriateness of the arrangements. After a few listens, I was convinced that at least one of the songs (“My Dog’s Eyes”) was a Tom Waits cover. Or a cover of something that I have heard before. Not the case. Every song on this CD is original. Adler’s voice is almost wrenchingly pure. Here’s hoping that Donna Adler wins the audience and critical acclaim that she deserves.

All The Riches of the World – Reviewer: Michael Finnegan
For In The Mix, July, l998
Many people have grabbed the cloak of urban folk. So many in fact that the cloak has become threadbare. Donna Adler mends the clothing and turns the cloak into a tapestry. All The Riches of the World is a soft and gentle set with vocals reminiscent of early Joan Baez and Judy Collins backed by hypnotic world beat instruments. The works, collected from l988-96 were released in l997 and show a well crafted set that was cared for as much as played. With a host of musicians and recording talents, it is a wonder that this recording is seamless and every part fits to the whole. In a different decade, this would have been an anthem – now it is a theme of grace and love. All of the songs are beautiful, with some of the finest being “Otsmon,” “All The Riches of the World,” “September’s Coming,” and “Bird Upon the Water.”

All The Riches of the World – Reviewer: Sophia Gurley
The Ectophiles’ Guide
This is an album of graceful pop-flavored folk songs. The instrumentation is fairly simple and acoustic, and Donna Adler has a lovely voice. This is sure to be a popular album amongst those looking for something mellow and relaxing but that is not simply background music. There’s a wonderful purity of vision and clarity of sound here.