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Awards . Broadcasts . Reviews

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TATTERED CLOAKS of MADNESS by Flight of Odin

”…Flight of Odin moves into a different realm, here… deeper and darker, but brightened in places by the classical piano work of Andrew Cann. New guitarist, Tyler Beddows adds intense yet tastefully powerful guitar work, unlike the shredder aspect we’ve heard in Flight of Odin’s previous releases. We are again welcomed by the familiar virtuoso drumming of Kenny Finger. However, missing is the throbbing bass work of Andrew Cann, as he apparently chose keys for this production. Guest bassist, Andre Lockhart adds nice touches, but somehow lacks conviction. Over all, Tattered Cloaks of Madness is a masterful achievement… one that continues to feature the lyrics and lead vocals of classically trained chanteuse, Xyra H-Cann. Definitely worth your time and attention! I promise you will find it a stunning and interesting experience.”

— E.G.
Stargazer
GODDESS in SMOKE by Flight of Odin

“Their new EP, ‘Goddess in Smoke’ continues to set Flight of Odin apart from the mainstream of contemporary music… in any genre. Reaching beyond their likewise compelling, previous release, ‘The Only Door’, Flight of Odin presents a new array of virtuoso musicians on this recent work, enhancing their already clever and enchanting songwriting and lyrical images. The listener will enjoy not only stellar performances, but first-rate mixing, production, and mastering done at BIAS Recording Studio in Virginia. A must for anyone in search of magical, powerful music fronted by an evocative, trained female vocalist. There is nothing quite like this anywhere.

— A.M.
Stargazer
#1 Flight of Odin's debut album, "The Only Door"
“The Only Door"
 
"Fascinating record, beautiful production, all the magic, mystery, and truth promised from a rock & roll record. Listen to the whole presentation of all the songs to receive the complete cumulative effect. At once mind blowing, and then again, heart-rending to those who can still feel and hear. Monumental!!!"
 
~ by Billy Batson, lead singer/songwriter for the original Holy Moses 
Billboard award-winning major label artist
— Billy Batson… of Holy Moses fame
International Reviews
"Her voice swaying and swooping to somewhat melodramatic lyrics about life and love and death and art . . . she stood very still on stage, swaying her platinum blond hair ever so slightly. Xyra clearly has deeper things on her mind. As for her own concerns, Xyra says she's 'very worried about the human race, about where we're going and what we're doing.' I don't know if I believe in prophecy, but these do seem like very dark times.'

And to do battle in these dark times, what better armor than that of diva? 'Oh, I'm just a pseudo-diva,' she says with another laugh. I'm a female singer who cares. I'm a chanteuse, a little on the glamorous side, so call me what you will.'..."

Eric Brace
The Washington Post
Weekend Feature: NIGHTWATCH
Xyra: A Diva by Any Other Name

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Radio, TV and more...
Never Lost Forever

"Love Xyra's recordings! Her wonderful imagery and poetry are complemented by the band and the production...great stuff! I especially like Not To Fall, Never Lost Forever, Dreams, Remember Nothing, The Banished, and All I Can Do. Best wishes for a sonic year filled with light, love, and music! Cheers!"

Cerphe Colwell
Cerphe's Progressive Show
WJFK FM, WHFS FM, WGTB FM

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Through the Dark Glass Shining
"Xyra has made an epic sounding record with Through The Dark Glass Shining.
Prog rock meets mystical siren!"

Michael Macey
WRNR FM
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National Public Radio (NPR) Featured Review: Xyra's 4th release
Xyra's 4th album, 'Through the Dark Glass Shining' is "Garage Rock with Operatic Sensibilities..."

Mark Jenkins
The Washington Post, Slate, NPR, and PRI, among others

Listen!

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Women in Music
"Xyra's voice is very dramatic, deep and theatrical.
She's been compared to Marlene Dietrich, and I can see why...."

Amy Loeb
Collected Sounds
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NPR, Voice of America (VOA) TV
"Xyra’s unique vocal phrasing and melodies, intriguing lyrical content. and poignant delivery make a statement all their own."

Richard Fuller
NPR's WETA FM, and VOATV
Award: Academy of American Poets
Poetry Award and Publication
The Academy of American Poets
Honorable Mention for song lyrics:
Ancient Incubus
featured on the album, Where Glass Birds Fly
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Best Wishes!

Omnipresent drummer and friend, Kenny Finger Tyler Beddow, guitarist Chelle Fulk: violinist, violist, chin-cellist Dan Kolcun… second guitar Mike and Spiro Karagiannis...Live @ the 9:30 Club 2017 Kevin Gutierrez ~ Mixing Engineer/Producer Contributing visual artist: Jordan Montgomery-Conway Bill Wolf ~ Mastering Engineer Guru Anastasia Ovchinnikova: MASTER ARTIST for Flight of Odin album over "The Only Door" Flight of Odin cover art by Anastasia Ovchinnikova Dec 2010 Dec 2004 Dec 1999 Jan 2000 Dec 1998 Odin Land &lt;FONT COLOR = 8000800238&gt;Photo � J.Matt Senkow &lt;FONT COLOR = 8000800238&gt;The way they were, with &lt;b&gt;Jeff Spencer&lt;/b&gt; playing lead guitar on his custom Ibanez. &lt;b&gt;Xyra&lt;/b&gt; is seen playing her Diamond Series Schecter, and &lt;b&gt;Andrew Cann&lt;/b&gt; is seen on the far right, playing his Roland keyboard (when he wasn&#39;t on his Ibanez electric named &#39;Jaws&#39;). &lt;b&gt;Dave White&lt;/b&gt; played bass for the one gig, with &lt;b&gt;Ron Smith&lt;/b&gt; on drums, in the background. This night, they opened for former &lt;b&gt;XTC&lt;/b&gt; member, &lt;b&gt;Barry Andrews&lt;/b&gt;. The performance was reviewed by &lt;b&gt;Mark Jenkins&lt;/b&gt; in &lt;b&gt;The Washington post&lt;/b&gt;. <br /> <br />Photo � &lt;b&gt;Tatyana Vishnevsky&lt;/b&gt; <br />Photoshop effects: Xyra Violin, bass, mandolin: Never Lost Forever <br />Photo by Lloyd Wolf Drums and percussion: Never Lost Forever <br />Photo by Lloyd Wolf Photo by J.Matt Senkow; Frightening Beauty release Xyra at <b>Happinest</b>, looking pensive. <br />Photo by: J.Matt Senkow <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Master drummer/percussionist, <b>Norman Ellsworth Thorne III</b> joined Xyra & Verborgen in 1997. He appeared on all Xyra CD releases and performed many live gigs, including the PMC, Blues Alley, and The State Theater. Norm is featured on the 2005 release, 'Through the Dark Glass Shining', and continues to play and record with Xyra and friends, to date. <br /> <br />Photo of Norm at NPR Studios by: Maggie Kunicki <br /> <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Master guitarist/composer, <b>Eric Ulreich</b> joined Xyra & Verborgen in 1999. He completed the guitar tracks for the second CD, 'Frightening Beauty' and continued performing and recording with Xyra and friends through 2012. Eric plays lead guitar on 'Siren in the Water', track 5 of 'Through the Dark Glass Shining' - XYRA's 2005 release. <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Violinist/composer, <b>Doug Empie</b> joined Xyra and Andrew for a <b>Nico 60th Birthday Tribute</b>, with <b>Rupert Chappell</b>, in October 1998. In 2000, Xyra, Andrew, Doug and brother Bret Empie formed <b>THE LINE_</b>. THE LINE_ recorded a home demo that landed on <b>WRNR FM</b>. Doug performed and recorded with Xyra and friends again, in 2001 and is featured on the 2005 release, 'Through the Dark Glass Shining'. <br /> <br />Photo of Doug at Happinest by: Jeff Lewis <br />Frame created by: Tone' Wellington <br />Photoshop effects by: Xyra <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Pianist/keyboardist/composer, <b>Bret Empie</b> aligned forces with his brother Doug Empie and Xyra and Andrew Cann to form <b>THE LINE_</b> in 2000. Bret later recorded keys and effects for all the tracks on the 2005 release, 'Through the Dark Glass Shining'. <br /> <br />Photo of Bret at Happinest by: Jeff Lewis <br /> &lt;FONT COLOR = 8000800238&gt;Virtuoso multi-wind player/orchestra leader/composer, &lt;b&gt;Don Stapleson&lt;/b&gt; joined Xyra &amp; Verborgen in November 1997. Don finished the wind parts for the first CD, &#39;Where Glass Birds Fly&#39;, appears on all the CD releases and continues to perform and record with Xyra and friends, to date. <br /> <br />Photo at Recording Arts Studios by: Xyra <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Master bassist, <b>Larry Lawrence</b> joined Xyra & Verborgen in January 1998. He performed several gigs, to include Blues Alley, Black Cat and The State Theater. Larry also completed the bass parts on the first CD, 'Where Glass Birds Fly', and continued performing and recording with Xyra and friends through 2001. Larry plays all the bass parts on the 2005 release, 'Through the Dark Glass Shining.' <br /> <br />Photo of Larry at Recording Arts Studio by: Xyra <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Master cellist, <b>Fred Lieder</b> was the first to join the Verborgen trio, in 1997. Fred performed many live gigs with Xyra & Verborgen, and recorded two demos and three CD releases with them at Omega, NPR and Recording Arts Studio, 1997-1999. The last gig Fred played with Xyra was at The State Theater, in February 2000. <br /> <br />Photo at NPR Studios by: Maggie Kunicki 6-string bass: Where Glass Birds Fly <br />Photo at NPR Studios by: Maggie Kunicki Clarinet, flute, oboe: Where Glass Birds Fly <br />Photo at NPR Studios by: Maggie Kunicki <FONT COLOR = 8000800238>Guitarist/composer, <b>Cris Chillura</b>, Xyra and Andrew Cann formed the Verborgen trio in 1996. Cris is featured on all the Verborgen works. He continued performing and recording with Xyra and friends through the first 'Frightening Beauty' sessions of 1999. <br /> <br />Photo by: Michelle Chillura