Elisabeth von Trapp
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Folk, New Age-tinged mainstream pop vocal
Status:
Most recent release, Love Never Ends (2005)
See also:
Elisabeth von Trapp's Official page
Comparisons:
Pure voice reminiscent of Judy Collins or Dee Carstensen. (jjhanson@att.net)
Covers/own material:
Von Trapp writes most of her own material but does do a few covers.
General comments:
Von Trapp is a descendant of the music von Trapp family portrayed in the musical The Sound of Music. This heritage is present, not so much in her style, but in her purity. Von Trapp appears to be the antithesis of say, Diamanda Galas. There is very little dark or even alternative in her approach. Her voice is pure, and her songs are beautifully arranged and full of hope and goodwill. (jjhanson@att.net)
Recommended first album:
One Heart One Mind
Recordings:
- Wishful Thinking (1994)
- One Heart One Mind (1996)
- Christmas Song (1999)
- Poetic License (2004)
- Love Never Ends (2005)
Wishful Thinking
Release info:
1994—von Trapp Music, P.O. Box 827, Waitsfield, VT 05673, U.S.A.
Availability:
Hard to find, available directly from von Trapp Music or LadySlipper.
Ecto priority:
Low
Group members:
Elisabeth von Trapp—vocals, guitar
Produced by:
von Trapp
Comments:
Recorded live at a summer evening concert. Has covers of Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" and Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing".
One Heart One Mind
Release info:
1996—von Trapp Music, P.O. Box 827, Waitsfield, VT 05673, U.S.A.—vtm 201
Availability:
By mail order from label, or from Ladyslipper
Ecto priority:
Medium to Low
Group members:
Maria von Trapp—guitars, piano, vocals, backing vocals
Guest artists:
Charles Eller—piano, keyboards, harmonium, accordion
Erich Kory—cello
Tony Markellis—fretless electric bass, acoustic bass
Paul Asbell—acoustic guitars
Stuart Paton—percussion
Werner von Trapp—Hammond organ
Peter Fairbanks Miller—violin
Michael Chorney—soprano sax
Lane Gibson—keyboards
Judy Barone, Marion Guihan, Mary Fran Staffod, Gail Ireland, Abigail and Gardiner Hoyt von Trapp—backing vocals
Produced by:
Elizabeth von Trapp, Charles Eller, and Lane Gibson; Executive producer, Edward Hall
Comments:
Beautifully arranged and instrumented album, but very smooth and a tad overproduced. Reminiscent of Dee Carstensen's album Beloved One. Almost spiritual in tone, if not lyrically. Not recommended to those who like alternative bite in their music. But for those who like beautiful voice, splendid piano and guitar, Von Trapp definitely is talented. Songwriting is a little sappy at times. The most bitter sentiment expressed on the album is regret over shooing away a bird whose song was bothering her. Depending on your perspective, this may be a refreshingly optimistic album full of goodwill, or just some pretty ear candy that would be nice to go to sleep to. (jjhanson@att.net)
Further info:
Write von Trapp Music, P.O. Box 827, Waitsfield, VT 05673, U.S.A.; email vtm@madriver.com
Thanks to Jeffrey Hanson for work on this entry.
