Tuesday, January 30, 2007
ysabellabrave
MaryAnne's father calls her Ysabella Brave because he says she is brave. She started singing a year ago; her ethnic background so various she says, “I could hold my own hand and sing We Are the World”. MaryAnne “YsabellaBrave” is a hit at youtube.com.
There aren't many professional performers who can be a foot from a camera for an extended period, let alone sing, and hold your attention without being slightly disturbing, but MaryAnne is so invested in the material that she pulls you in. With something of the penetrating presence of Illeana Douglas (her eyes), she is an actress/singer; without the range of Piaf or Streisand, she has a physicality and expressiveness that is unique. MaryAnne is filled with charm, a natural — the songs flow through her with all the feeling intact, in the moment. You can't help smiling when you watch her — MaryAnne's a star.
It doesn't hurt that she is singing great old songs. This one, most viewed today (1/30/07), is terrific.