It began as an innocent little email message from Dawn Pettyjohn. Donna De Lory and Cameron Stone would be playing a live concert in New York City, at a small club called The Living Room. Michele and I were sitting at home, and decided, we're free that weekend, so why not?

We packed up our things, made some preparations, bought some nice inexpensive Greyhound tickets and hopped a bus for New York City. A city that truly never sleeps. A city that is very expensive for those who have no cash whatsoever, but also a city which allowed a magnificent band to make their East Coast debut.

We arrived in NYC at around 8 AM on March 14. We weren't able to check in to our hotel until 1 P.M., so we wandered the streets of Manhattan all day. Passing by the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis, we also experienced the heart of merchantilism. "Well, how much are you willing to pay?" became a familiar phrase around town, as we searched for a camcorder battery that would last throughout the predicted hour performance...and we finally decided to fork over the cash to a merchant and were prepared for an evening of fun.

We stopped to eat in Greenwich Village at the Pizzeria Uno. Although we had modest funds, it was delicious and a pleasant atmosphere to rest our weary and tired bones. Around 1:30 P.M. we did indeed check in at the Sleep Inn and rested for a short while before departing on a journey which led us from the subways in the bowels of the city to The Living Room. A room which could very well have served as a living room for the band that was preparing to play there.

Kevin, the soundcheck guy, and Cameron

When Michele and I arrived at the club, there were merely five or six other onlookers who witnessed Donna, Cameron and Kevin go through the motions of their soundcheck. Cameron and Kevin teased the crowd with cello parts to "Hold Me Now", "On and On", "Chosen Ones" and "Te Amo" and Donna sung along to portions of "On and On" and "Chosen Ones". As the soundcheck neared its end, the band discussed how they would get the drum levels, since Omar had left for a short while prior to the soundcheck taking place. Cameron quickly jumped behind the variety of percussion instruments and tested them out while Kevin continued playing his cello part to "Te Amo."

After soundcheck, the band went through their final preparation rituals, and so did Michele and I. We witnessed the arrival of opening act Rene Cologne. Her set was full of angry, sexual, angst filled lyrics. The crowd seemed uninvolved with Ms. Cologne's set... they were anticipating Donna De Lory and Bliss.

Michele and Cameron

Finally, the hour arrived, and the band took their place on the stage. Donna stood between two of the world's greatest cellists, and Omar Hakim, who has been a drummer for Sting and Madonna, beat out a steady rhythm behind them. The New York City crowd (and what a crowd it was, the place was stuffed) got their first taste of Bliss with their opening number, a beautiful version of "Amazing Grace."

Donna spoke after the song, and explained to the crowd that they would be performing songs from their soon to be released CD. "Hold Me Now" was the next track to debut before the perplexed crowd, some who were merely in awe of the tremendous musicians in front of them, and some confused by the sound being generated from the band. They're not your average pop musicians, which is the impression one may get from hearing the recorded songs. Instead, their live show has a new age sound. They are also a lot different than the sound of Poe, a band who Cameron had spent the last year and a half touring with.

Before the next song, Donna explained that the song had been written about her mother, and the band launched into a beautiful track called "Go Talk to Mary". Donna's vocals were absolutely stunning as she sung her heart out on a track that was visually and audibly stimulating. Her voice sounded similar to that of alternative songstress Tori Amos as she sung the beautiful chorus.

"Te Amo" a track recorded in 5/8 which Donna later explained is "hard to learn how to dance to" was the next track to debut. The entire song is written in Spanish and showed the lyrical variety that can be expressed by the talented musicians.

"Please" closed the first half of the set, with Cameron's background vocals adding beauty to Donna's glistening voice.

The song that followed, "Chosen Ones" showed the luxury of having two of the most talented cellists playing as a backing band. Kevin launched into an amazing "wah-wah" cello solo around halfway through the song, which was greeted with admiration and applause not only from the crowd, but also from Cameron Stone himself, who commented afterward: "You know, there was a time, around ten years ago, when I taught him a few things... and now he teaches me." (Currently, Kevin goes to the Manhattan School of Music.)

The song, "On and On" which could predictably be the first single from the band, should they choose to market themselves with radio airplay, was the high point of my evening. Although I was looking through a viewfinder at that point, it was during this track that I realized the intense chemistry within the band. It is a beautiful song of love and devotion, and showcases both cellos, percussion and stirring vocals.

The band closed their set with "Every Child," a track that has a new age feel and rhythm to it. They were coaxed back with encore requests from a crowd that stretched almost out onto the street.

Cameron and Donna stepped back onstage, and Donna sung an abridged version of "Praying for Love," a track from her debut release on MCA Records. Then the duo launched into a beautiful closer, "Love Never Dies" which will be featured in the motion picture "In God's Hands.". It is due to be released in mid-April and also features Donna and Cameron in acting roles.

Video by ShellE Productions, encoded by Dawn Pettyjohn many moons ago

Donna De Lory's official site