ABOUT MARIANNE OSIEL

"Marianne is a major talent. She’s an intense player who has music in her soul. "
Tommy West, Producer (Jim Croce and Anne Murray)

"Marianne is a powerful songwriter and a dynamic artist."
Robbie Dupree, Songwriter
(Hit songs: "Steal Away" and "Hot Rod Hearts")

 "A true individual in a town that often churns out conformist musical product."
Windplayer Magazine

 "Marianne is a musician of rare quality and her honest passion is inspirational."
Tom Kimmel, Songwriter (for Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Cash)

 "An attractive, refreshing, original artist . . ."
Rod Kennedy, Director, Kerrville Festival

 "Marianne has a gift for very original songwriting combined with a beautiful voice
and formidable skills of expression as an oboist."
Dave Sancious, Musician (Currently touring with Eric Clapton)

 "Marianne Osiel lights up the room."
Mike Williams, Host (Nashville Pickin’ Party)

 ABOUT THE CD, STRANGE GIRL

"This is the kind of music that exorcises a few demons. There’s an edge of rock, the strut of blues and an underlying energy that is kinetic."
Performing Songwriter

 "Strange Girl is honest, entertaining, melodic, sometimes straight ahead, occasionally off the wall, sensitive, probing, emotional, and outstanding, all in one package."
Bluesletter Magazine

 "When they say ‘strange girl’, she’s not really strange—it’s more like the opposite. It’s more like angel girl. She makes everything better."
Danielle Mullins, sixth grade student

 "Soaring and sighing in the same breath, this Strange Girl is just what the doctor ordered for our inner and outer selves."
Don Henry, Songwriter (Hit song: "Where’ve You Been?" for Kathy Mattea)

 "Every now and then, right under our noses, a yellow blur of an artist leaps off the great washing machine of creative effort and makes for the great back yard of commercial success."
Music Row Magazine

From Performing Songwriter Magazine re: "Strange Girl" CD by Marianne

"This is the kind of music that exorcises a few demons. There's a strut of blues and an underlying energy that is kinetic. Osiel's talents as a session musician are well-documented in Nashville. She's been known to lay down an oboe solo that will break your heart. On Strange Girl, she also plays acoustic guitar, slide guitar, piano, flute and English horn. Then of course, she writes groovy songs and sings them with raw passion.

On "Heart Of The Matter", Osiel states "the distance between heart and mind is further than I first believed." Much of Strange Girl can be seen as a travel log from that trip. There's a lot of hard-earned truth in these songs. She speaks as someone who's been to the desert and is now intent on staying close to the well.

"Bless These Blues" and "Strange Girl" are a nice one-two punch. For a lesson in writing a love song without drippy sentimentalist, check out "This Is Enough". You may being to question the gods of talent distribution after listening to her string quartet arrangement preceding "Boxes". Naturally, she knows how to surround herself with some other fine musicians and they don't disappoint. This may not be the cure for what ails you but it could definitely be part of the treatment."

Reviews of Marianne's new release, "HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN",  a CD of improvisational duets:

Marianne Osiel is someone to pay close attention to. I first was introduced to her artistry as an Oboist on a session I was conducting and had arranged the music for in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a dream to have in the orchestra because her sound was so rich that it made every line I had written come alive, as cliched as that sounds. I subsequently learned that she is an accomplished singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist and each recording of hers that I have heard has been deeper than the one before. This is truly a very special musician and creative force. Her newest project is all improvisation with different keyboardists, from Organ to Synthesizer to Prepared Piano, with Marianne playing Oboe and English Horn. It is again, rich and multi layered and downright moving at times. I expected something that would test my patience a bit though I fully expected to be rewarded in the end, knowing Marianne's artistry. On the contrary, I was constantly surprised and was drawn into the moody world that is created by these gifted, searching musicians. I highly recommend you check Marianne out and as I say above, pay close attention.

Rob Mathes
October 2004

This new CD by Marianne Osiel is a further indication that gifted artists who have mastered the European traditions of the great classic traditions can use these superb technical achievements to express not only the timeless music of the old masters, but also create their OWN music!

Improvising was an essential part of any classical soloist's repertoire when Mozart and Bach themselves performed. The cadenza, which was always improvised, was part of every concerto, to show the public that in addition to playing a trillion hot licks, that the soloist was also able to create something on the spot.

Marianne Osiel has created a whole CD on the spot, and her improvisations, in many styles, always captivate the listener because of her own special sound, which is a voice that welcomes us to listen to the music being played.

The great boxer George Foreman once said "I don't care what you call me, as long as you call me for dinner."

Rather than trying to categorize this innovative new music, just call your friends and tell them to have a musical feast, hearing something brand new, a one time only musical experience documented for all to enjoy.

David Amram
November 2004


Marianne Osiel caresses the oboe and English horn as if they were her magic lamp.  Sometimes the genie emerges as a beautiful soulful melody, other times as a playful imp.

Martha Mooke
October 2004