JUNE, 2008 - Maverick Music Magazine

Eastern country, Nashville style
By Alan Cackett

At first it might seem more than a little strange that a young Russian woman's debut solo album is being referred to as Americana. But then Natasha Borzilova is no ordinary woman. A classically trained guitarist and vocalist, she has for many years been the lead singer and acoustic guitarist in Bering Strait, a Russian country band that relocated to Nashville some eight years ago and landed a major record deal, not to mention high-profile touring. Following two highly-acclaimed albums for Universal South and a Grammy nomination, the band split a couple of years ago and out of the ashes Natashs appears with this enthralling self-produced album.

Best described as 'world folk-country', Natasha's music is a fusion of genres that embrace folk, pop-rock, country, Eastern European and bluegrass. She wrote most of the songs herself, teaming up with Donna Ulisse for the title song and Billy Montana for Matches. They explore personal subjects, mainly around relationship issues; Natasha's mastering of the English language is way, way better than Sweden's Abba and she often makes you sit up and take notice with her incisive lyricism. She reaches deep down into your heart and soul with such telling ballads as Dear Diary, October Blue and Fatal One Day. Some of Music Row's finest players help to colour in behind Natasha's vulnerable vocals, including Gary Prim (keyboards), Alison Prestwood (bass), Steven Sheehan (guitars), Chris Leuzinger (electric guitars) and Tommy Harden (drums).

Reference site: http://www.maverick-country.com/