Northeast Performer
Luke Pyles

AYE — Self-titled
3 Track CD

Cynicism is a thing which may easily rise up in the face of music which claims to be a ‘celebration of life,’ but the tunes these two fine women weave are beautiful and soulful enough to inspire even the most cynical bastard to dance. Aye (pronounced "i-yay") is the joining of forces of Adrienne and Marsia Shuron, now with a backing band. Although the sweetness of Adrienne’s soprano is really nice, Marsia Shuron’s deep, full, incredibly rich, Earth Mother-type voice is especially moving. The tunes the two have put together incorporate a lot of world-beat sounds and fine harmonies. These three songs are certainly a celebration of life, without being excessive or corny.

Seven Days
Pamela Polsten

AYE
(self-released, CD)

The two women who comprise Aye-Adrienne (who opts for the single nom de tune) and Marsia Shuron Harris- possess voices that alone distinguish them in the crowded singer-songwriter field. Adriennne’s is sweet, girlish, breathy, sometimes light as a cloud. Harris’ voice is startlingly deep — even more than that of the singer she calls to mind: Joan Armatrading. In tandem, the voices of Aye (pronounced I-yay) are remarkable and capable of melodic mesmerism. Harris’ vocals are the "earth" to Adrienne’s "air," making for music that manages the near impossible feat of floating while remaining grounded. In short, fortune smiled on these women when they met as fellow buskers in Harvard Square.

WHAT'S HOT: A REVIEW OF LIVE MUSIC IN KEYWEST
Aye: Recording Artist Quality Duo

Key West The Newspaper
by Valerie Ridenour

Once in a blue moon I am fortunate to hear an act that is of such quality as to deserve a recording contract. I discovered such an act at the Schooner Wharf Bar on a saturday night. They call themselves AYE pronounced (I-yay) which means celebration of life.

Aye is a high energy act, even on an easy slow tune. There's a dedication that shines through every melodic line, every lyric.

Each is a superb lead singer but when the exceptional voices harmonize they are magical. I sat mesmerized listening to an excellent song "Renaissance," with an incredible lyric.

Aye is musically inventive and original. They would play well on a bill with REM, and would shine on saturday night live. They would be equally suitable for a coffeehouse gig or a concert stage.

Boston Globe
written by David Wildman
July 12, 1998
On The Rise

When Adrienne Zolondick (who goes by her first name only) and Marsia Shuron Harris wrote the song AYE (pronounced I-yay), they had made up the word, giving it the meaning "celebration of life."

It wasn't until after they decided to name their new musical group AYE that they learned the word they had created really did exist. They found it in an African language spoken by the Yoruba, and it does, in fact, mean something akin to celebration of life.

"We knew then that this group was something we needed to explore," says Harris. Her deep, soulful voice helps create a distinctive blend with guitarist Adrienne's crystalline, higher-pitched vocal sound.

The two met while performing separately on the streets of Harvard square in 1991. Both had been pursuing burgeoning careers, playing at coffeehouses and clubs like Christopher's (now called Toad) and the Channel. They formed AYE, and after playing a few Boston shows decided to take their act down to Key West, Florida.

Live they perform as a duo, but for their recordings, they have built an entire band sound using additional players and overdubs. The result is a commercially viable product, especially with Adrienne's voice, which brings to mind the sweet resonance of Jennifer Kimball, and Harris's sound and look.

They're currently recording with David Tortolano at Cosmo Recording in Boston.

Although Aye plays mostly within the folk scene in town, their infectious world beat rhythms also work well at a club like the Middle East

"Someone described our music as Universal Rock," says Harris. "Considering the name of the group, I think that is appropriate.

Clubs and Concerts
by Ken Capobianco
CNC Arts Writer
July 7-13, 1998

Celebrating with Aye

Earlier this year, I judged a Lilith Fair competition in which female acts vied for a chance to play the side stage on this summer's Great Woods Lilith dates. One of the acts that impressed me was a duo called Aye, featuring Marsia Shuron Harris and Adrienne. According to the latter, the group plays "an eclectic mix of soul, folk, rock and world music."

That sounds like pretty daunting territory, but the duo's dynamic vocal range allows them to dip into these different musical reservoirs.

In his July 3, 1998 article entitled "Aye Returns with more vision," Daniel Gewertz, writer for the Boston Herald refers to Aye as being, "light filled," with, "sonorous vocals."

The Boston Herald
Written by Daniel Gewertz
July 3, 1998


Aye Returns With More Vision

If the coffeehouse open-mike scene is Boston's university of folk music, then the streets and subways comprise folk's school of hard knocks. From local faves Peter Mulvey, to Martin Sexton and Ratsy to pop cross overs Mary Lou Lord and Tracy Chapmen, the occupation of street musician was integral to their early growth.

The duo Aye, (Marsia Shuron Harris and Adrienne) met as buskers in Harvard Square five years ago. Now, after three years of finessing their act in the bars of Key West Florida, they've come back to Cambridge.

Aye (pronounced I-yay) make their Club Passim debut July 12. From the evidence of a three-song demo CD, both women have come a distance since they played the streets.

Harris' voice is so low it is a virtual baritone. It's startling to hear her deep, abundant tones next to Adrienne's wafting soprano. "The difference of our voices caught people's attention," said Adrienne.

After meeting in Harvard Square, Adrienne and Harris bought a VW bus and traveled to Key West. The steady work they found in upscale bars and restaurants allowed the pair to "get our act together while getting paid," said Adrienne. "We got away with playing original material in touristy spots that were more used to cover-songs."

Aye returned north to record and seek industry attention. With their fluid islandy rhythms and sonorous vocals, Aye is light-filled and agreeable.

VOX
Vermont's Voice of Arts, Entertainment and Lifestyles
written by Aimee Petrin
July 24, 1996

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE

Well, actually it's pronounced I-yay but the reaction is the same nonetheless. The duo of Shuron Harris and Adrienne deliver a primarily acoustic blend of soul, folk and rock - with congas added for a world beat effect - that is unlike most other performers on the circuit.

As gifted musicians, the songwiting duo showcases it's talents in uniquely composed, original arrangements. The vocals and musicianship of Aye intertwine to create a tapestry of finely-woven sounds.