Bill Reynolds

Western Horseman

“When I first heard Kacey Musgraves debut single “Merry Go Round'“ from her 2013 album “Same Trailer, Different Park” it was clear to me, here’s a star. I felt the same way when I heard Canadian singer Shaye Zadravec cover Ian Tyson’s “Summer’s Gone”. Her new album is available.”

Full article: Summer’s Gone: Shaye Zadravec

Door Ronand Valstar

REAL ROOTS CAFÉ (the Netherlands)

“… a voice that can rival that of Ronstadt and Harris. Warm to the top, blood pure and thus giving an extra dimension to the chosen songs”.

"Summer's Gone" by Ian Tyson. How beautiful and worn can worn-out American melancholy be when Shaye Zadravec lets the sun go down with piano and violin. With “Silver Bell” she adds another coin to Tyson. He (well in his eighties) sings along with a wonderfully fragmented voice. “East Longview Serenade” is a short, supported composition by Goran Grini. Beautiful, impressive spatial closing that makes you realize that you have just heard a very nice album by a phenomenal singer in the line of the greats from North America.”

The complete REAL ROOTS CAFÉ article as at the bottom of this page.

Declan Culliton

 Lonesomehighway.com, Dublin, Ireland

“Artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris carved out hugely successful careers interpreting songs written by others - today, Shaye Zadravec is following a similar path with her recently released album, NOW AND THEN. With an angelic voice and the capacity to recognise songs that deserve to be reborn, the album’s ten tracks include songs written by Jay Farrar, Jesse Winchester, Mandy Barnett, Paul Westerberg and Lynn Miles. Also included are two songs written by Ian Tyson, one of which is a duet with the legendary singer songwriter. The album has rightly been receiving glowing reviews, not only in her homeland Canada, but particularly in Europe, where she continues to expand her fan base.”

Full interview: Shaye on Lonesomehighway.com

Max Achatz

Country Jukebox, Germany

“Canadian old school country pop has rarely sounded much better and more personable than on "Now And Then" and it comes from a highly talented singer who is blessed with an unbelievable, almost breathtaking voice.”

Article in German, August 2021: https://www.countryjukebox.de/pages/newfaces.htm

Peter Marinus

Bluestown Music, the Netherlands, July 2021

“…once in awhile there’s a debut album that leaves a deep and unforgettable impression. In my opinion Shaye Zadravec’s “Now and Then” catapults her right up there with the very best in Americana”

Article in Dutch: https://www.bluestownmusic.nl/recensie-shaye-zadravec-now-and-then/

Fair Shakes and Just Desserts

"Point is, this young woman from Calgary gets it. Her voice is pristine, yet not cloying. It's kinda perfect for "Skyway," which finds Westerberg finally setting aside his bluster and burning lean emotional tissue. I also love the arrangement, which if The 'Mat had attempted, you would've heard bellows of "SELLOUTS!!!" echoing down 7th Street. This is a great match, plus the video is cool, if not a tad unnerving.

Son Volt's "Windfall" is another one of "those songs" that could've easily blown up in face of someone with lesser understanding of the source material, and less skill of interpretation.“

https://www.fairshakesandjustdesserts.com/post/cover-tune-shaye-zadravec-skyway-paul-westerberg

Rootsville (Europe)

“With a name like Shaye Zadravec you would immediately think of heavy guitar violence from the Balkans, but nothing could be further from the truth. This is great sounding Americana from Calgary, Alberta.”

“It’s about subtle high quality. This “Now and Then” contains 10 tracks that sometimes sound as fragile as on “The Whispering wind”, then switch with the necessary twang to goosebumps like “Night Drive”. A song like “Did You Fall In Love with Me” sounds like country from the old box but at the same time also fresh and cheerful. The dreamy and telling story about “Silver Bell” and the closing musical outro “East Longview Serenade” make the album complete and extremely digestible”.

Johan Schoenmakers

Alt Country Forum, the Netherlands, July 2021

“A brilliant collection of songs by Jay Farrar (Windfall), Jesse Winchester (Biloxi), Paul Westerberg (Skyway), Lawrence Russell Brown and Pat McLaughlin (The Whispering Wind), Lynn Miles (Night Drive), Roy Forbes (The Slider). Joan Besen (Did You Fall In Love With Me) and two pieces by Ian Tyson (Summer’s Gone, Silver Bell). On Silver Bell, which was introduced last December, Tyson’s gritty vocal contribution nicely counterbalances the purity of Shaye’s voice”.

Given the high ranking in the Euro Americana Chart, a number of participants will swoon with her sweet and captivating voice, the sensitive and super sweet goosebumps versions that have been worked out to perfection and the extremely well-crafted production by Goran Grini”.

Erwin Zijleman

https://dekrentenuitdepop.blogspot.com, the Netherlands, July 2021

′′ Shaye Zadravec has delivered a beautiful debut album that deserves to be heard. Now And Then is so good because of the fine songs of some old rots* (acknowledged, veteran songwriters) and because of the beautiful and very impressive instrumentation, but Shaye Zadravec's strongest weapon is her amazing voice.”

*Note: we triple checked –– “rots” is the expression in Dutch.

Declan Culliton

Lonesomehighway.com, Ireland, July 2021

"NOW AND THEN showcases Zadravec as a dedicated flame carrier and interpreter of some classic songs. Her versions are a mouth-watering flavour of what she is vocally capable of. In former decades, artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris carved hugely successful careers recording the work of other songwriters."

"Track this album down, slip on the headphones, put your feet up and have a listen. Satisfaction guaranteed.”

Patrick Robbins

Cover Me, January 6, 2021

Under the Radar - Shaye Zadravec
It’s a tradition as old as Cover Me. We put together our posts for the year’s best covers, and not 48 hours after our post is finalized, a cover crosses our radar that absolutely would have made the list had we only heard it just a few days earlier. It’s frustrating, but at least we’re in a position where we can still spread the word.

For me, 2020’s woulda-coulda-shoulda song was “Skyway” by Shaye Zadravec, from her cover album Now and Then. She’s a new name to me, but in Calgary she’s been performing for almost a decade, getting the attention and mentorship of Ian Tyson (“Four Strong Winds”) and Chip Taylor (“Wild Thing,” “Angel of the Morning”) in the process. Catch her here while her star is still ascending.

Zadravec wanted to mix up her repertoire a little; looking for an upbeat song to contrast her batch of slow ballads, she bought a compilation album of the Replacements. What song of theirs caught her attention? The tender “Skyway,” with Paul Westerberg reluctantly baring his secret heart. In an interview, Zadravec talked about how “it was so different than anything else…. It didn’t even sound like the same band. But that was the one I was drawn to. I thought ‘ah, I don’t need to do an upbeat song. I’ll just do the prettiest song on the album.’” Thank heaven she did. It’s even prettier now, sounding even more midwestern than Westerberg, and Zadravec gives its wounded heart an extra blanket of warmth.

• A (Very) Brief History: Cover Me began in 2006 as a cover songs radio show that went largely unheard in backwoods New Hampshire. In fall ’07, Cover Me took on blog form. It’s remained that way ever since.

Eric Volmers

The Calgary Herald, December 26, 2020

How Calgary's musicians and songwriters rose above COVID to make 2020 a stellar year

In Calgary, artists responded directly or indirectly to the pandemic and the lock downs with creativity and focus, whether it be in the themes they tackled or how their recording process was altered.

“Zadravec’s sophomore release, Now and Then, is a carefully curated collection of songs that seem custom-made for the singer’s nuanced phrasing, including selections by Ian Tyson, Son Volt, The Replacements, Jesse Winchester and Lynn Miles. If listening to Zadravec’s heart-melting takes on The Replacements’ Skyway and Winchester’s Biloxi doesn’t move you, then you probably shouldn’t be listening to music at all.”

Read Eric’s entire article here:

https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/music/local-musicians-and-songwriters-rose-to-the-challenge-to-make-2020-a-stellar-year-for-calgary-music

Les Siemieniuk

Penguin Eggs Folk Music Magazine, December, 2020

Now and Then is the title and also the first words you hear from Shaye Zadravec as she sings Jay Farrar’s Windfall – and she does a stunning job. Shaye also does amazingly lovely versions of songs by Paul Westerberg, Lynn Miles, Roy Forbes, and Joan Besen.

The album was produced by Goran Grini and recorded in Alberta and Norway. Goran also plays keyboards and is joined by guitarists Russell Broom and Tim Leacock, Mike Lent on bass, fiddler Denis Dufresne, drummer Chris Nordquist, and Shaye’s sister Sydney providing backing vocal support.  They do a wonderful job of gently and tastefully supporting Shaye’s lovely, lovely vocal performance.

Shaye beautifully evokes all the homesick emotion of Jesse Winchester’s Biloxi, included because her Dad likes it. It is one of the best versions I have heard. Another highlight on this recording is her touching duet with Ian Tyson on his Silver Bell, a song for Christmas.

Shaye Zadravec, she’s a good ‘un. So sit back, put on the headphones, and let her gorgeous voice wash over you.

Tom Skjeklesaether

Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen (Norwegian national daily) November 30 , 2020

"On “Norway”, Shaye makes a fantastic interpretation of the song “Lilac Wine”, written by James Shelton all the way back in 1950 and later done in very memorable versions by Nina Simone, Elkie Brooks and Jeff Buckley. Even in this superior company, I put my ducats on Shaye Zadravec's exquisite, controlled lectures. We're talking about a completely sensational singing talent. The world, and we, will hear more, much more of Shaye Zadravec."

The full interview withTom Skjeklesæther is at the bottom of this page.

Jason Schneider

FYI Music News, October 26, 2020

It seems rare these days to find an artist whose focus is primarily on being an interpreter of other peoples’ songs, but Calgary’s Shaye Zadravec has always felt most comfortable taking that approach.

It certainly works on her new album Now And Then, a savvily chosen collection of 10 modern folk-rock classics, ranging from Son Volt’s Windfall and The Replacements’ Skyway, to Canadian content by Ian Tyson, Lynn Miles and Prairie Oyster. Recorded this past winter in Calgary, the album’s intimate production is a showcase for Zadravec’s pure and powerful voice, which has earned her opening slots for William Prince and Dan Mangan, and even the pop-opera group Il Divo.

Now And Then is the latest stage in Zadravec’s evolution since she gained attention in 2018 from posting her moving rendition of Lilac Wine, most recently made famous by Jeff Buckley. It was included on her debut EP Norway from that year, the result of her friendship with the legendary songwriter Chip Taylor, for whom she opened several years earlier and was invited to perform a duet on his classic Angel Of The Morning.

Her reputation has steadily grown since then, and she seems content with playing the long game, carefully choosing the material that best suits her voice and reflects her down-to-earth personality. In that sense, Now And Then is a refreshing reminder that great songs can live forever in the right hands. Hear more at shayezadravec.com.

Jan Hall

Folk Roots Radio, October 4, 2020

Shaye Zadravec, from Calgary, AB has been creating quite a buzz for her ability to interpret other people’s songs. She’s just released a brilliant first full length album “Now and Then” which covers songs by fabulous songwriters like Jesse Winchester, Ian Tyson, Lynn Miles & more. It’s an album you definitely need to hear!

Eric Volmers

The Calgary Herald, September 9, 2020

Skyway (Paul Westerberg)

“The beautifully melancholic tune about a lovelorn public-transit rider is such a good fit that it almost sounds like songwriter Paul Westerberg penned it for her.”

Lenny Stoute

Cashbox Canada, October 2, 2020

From way out in Sweetheart of the Rodeo country comes Shaye Zadravec, a Calgarian vocal interpreter of significant nuance, aplomb and laid back authority. So far she’s a vocalist, but judging from the company she keeps, I suspect she’s gonna get writing sooner than later. She’s been doing open stages in Calgary and counts Chip Taylor and Ian Tyson as fans and mentors.

Eric Volmers

The Calgary Herald, September 9, 2020

Shaye Zadravec again proves herself a first-rate interpreter with covers album, Now and Then

LINK to article

Mary-Lynn Wardle

The YYSCENE, September 10, 2020

Open-hearted singer Shaye Zadravec begets open-hearted album Now and Then

LINK to article

Eric Volmers

The Calgary Herald, September 9, 2020

Track-by-track: Zadravec's song choices on new album, Now and Then

LINK to article

Russell deCarle

Tuesday July 10, 2018

Russell deCarle - award-winning singer / songwriter

"So rare and exciting to discover a truly satisfying singer, one whose voice, pitch, timing, phrasing and choice of just the right song knocks you out. Shaye Zadravec happens to be one of those singers. Lucky us."

Chip Taylor

Wednesday June 27, 2018

Chip Taylor - Songwriter Hall of Fame songwriter

Thoughts Of Shaye

As I was beginning my Alberta tour a few years ago, my great friend, and revered Canadian music guru, Neil MacGonigill, asked if I would mind letting his new protege, Shaye Zadravec, open my show with a few songs. I’m so happy that I agreed. Shaye was all I love and admire in a singer. She has a beautiful voice that reflects the honesty inside her. Not many vocalists come from that place. It was a no-brainer for me to ask her to join me singing “Angel Of The Morning” at the end of my show. We rehearsed for only 5 minutes before the show started. That’s all we needed. The folks loved the magic she brought to the song - so did I.

Neil recently “road managed” my East Coast tour. I love it when that happens. We constantly talk and play music. It is so inspiring - a learning thing for both of us. One night he played a simple video he had taken of Shaye in the recording studio, singing the great "Lilac Wine". It was just Shaye and her ukulele, along with Goran Grini's (Norwegian keyboard player/arranger) orchestrations gently caressing Shaye’s voice. It absolutely floored me - total chill time! I had never seen live footage of an artist that i loved as much as this simple clip. It reminded me of some performances I had seen of Frank Sinatra in the studio with a live orchestra from the 50s.

I hope you get to see her soon. If so, there’s one thing you will quickly observe - there’s no show business “show off” in this young lady. She just sparkles with her naturalness. And she’s so nice to be around! If you want to have a better day than the one you’re having and Shaye Zadravec is playing anywhere near you, there’s an easy remedy!

David Ward

Tuesday June 26, 2018

David Ward - CKUA Radio Alberta

 David Ward (respected music man and CKUA on-air personality)

"Mature beyond her years, Shaye Zadravec is a rare bird in this age of a surfeit of songwriters and a dearth of songcatchers.  She delights in breathing new life into a rich vein of forgotten gems from an alluring array of woefully unappreciated songwriters. The magic that is found in Shaye's music is for those tired ears longing for the cool refreshment that flows from a gentle yet focused singer blessed with a pure and unadulterated voice."