"Shamrocks To Stripes"

Maura McKinney Mastro shows that the heart is where hope lives and opens the floodgate in her latest CD release, "Shamrocks to Stripes".  A catchy collection of her own compositions plus old standards - "Danny Boy" and "Star Spangled Banner" - with captivating vocal accent on familiar lyrics not heard until now.

They are songs of faith and family, patriotism and passion.

This fourth CD release by Clady Records (produced by Doug Deforest) since the phenomenal debut of "Irish Roots" in 2000, is a montage of music that plays to the strength and charm of Maura's lilting and far-ranging vocal talent and her intimate knowledge of what makes a heart tick.

There is a country flavor in "Everything Changed," "My Letters Home," "Nashville," and "Flowers On Your Grave," but it is a "country" probe into the melancholy depths of sadness that doesn't leave you laying there in a pool of self-pity.  Maura brings you out on the bright other side.

Before recording this collection, many of these songs were debuted before audiences in Nashville and Europe.  After on of her performances, a man from the audience approached her and said, "Maura, you sing with a beautiful courage of the medium...you aren't afraid to go anywhere vocally."

Songs from her last CD, "So Good," played high on the European charts and earned her two Radio Mike Awards.  That CD prompted Paul Davis of Country Music Round Up magazine to write in the magazine's European edition; "This innovation is for me; catchy tracks that feature a quality self-penned repertoire from the art of a rising star.  Not dutifully produced, and in most cases not telling some sort of cheating, heart-tugging 'love-lost' tale but positive uplifting lyrics with a bounce-and-beat or a pleasing crooning sentimentality.  As a subspecies, this album is relatively atypical and therefore should be sought out by the country devotee."

Maura says her songs in this CD are "dedicated to the lover, dreamer, prayer bearer and hero in each one of us."  Her's is a voice that exudes the kind of energy and optimism that makes the listener feel that dedication in a personal way.

In "Still Gonna Get There," Maura sings the line, "I've been there too."

With these songs you will be there too.

Jim Nicholson, former Columnist, Philadelphia Daily News;

Retired Reserve lieutenant Colonel, Army Intelligence &

Federal counter terrorism task Force Analyst.

"So Good"

“So Good” is Maura McKinney Mastro’s personal diary, bound in lush Nashville sound, set down with Maura’s rich range and lilt, and punctuated with rock and Celtic vibes".

This is Maura’s third Clady Records release. “Irish Roots” and “Inspirational Roots” made you want to dream, to believe, to love. “So Good” tells you how – in a voice that respected Philadelphia music critic, the late J. Cartin, described as treating “every syllable with artistry and respect.” It is also a voice that can pierce you at will.

 This is her collection of original songs with the exception of the Phil Coulter classic, “The Old Man.”  It is included here with some lyric changes to honor the memory of Maura’s dad, noted TV, radio and print journalist Jack McKinney.

 These songs, which include “Megan’s Song,” “So Good,” “I’m A Dancer,”  “Draw A Line In The Sand,” and “Her Heart Is Sand” tell us that love lives longest in the little things in life; sharing a dream, dancing feet, taking out the trash, a walk in the rain, a father’s strong, caring hand.

 From the multi-faceted, crystal voice of Maura McKinney Mastro cascades a rainbow of emotions she has felt since she was a young girl. She’s lived long enough to know that there doesn’t have to be “lost love,” so long as you still love the memory.

 One of her songs is titled “Do It Again.” Maura has. This time for you.

Jim Nicholson

Former Columnist/Philadelphia Daily News

Maura McKinney Mastro’s CDs are available at Amazon.com and CDBaby.com