You know the voice, but you probably don't know the name: That is the Amanda Abizaid story. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, singer/songwriter Abizaid has spent the last couple of years as a vocalist-for-hire, contributing her singing to such TV programs as The 4400 (the theme song, "A Place in Time"), Smallville, and Charmed. Her new album, The Great Plan Vol. II, represents a singular vision, one that is not bound by any stylistic handcuffs as Abizaid veers from acoustic pop to modern rock and even slight touches of Americana.
The soulful, rootsy "Win Win Situation" is Abizaid at her most confident and accessible. Ludvig Girdland's violin on "Win Win Situation" gives the song added texture and atmosphere. The ethereal "Facing the Lion" is about as far from giddy TV tuneage as Abizaid gets as she settles into a mood-spinning, incandescent groove.
Abizaid's flute playing provides some of these songs a sort of late '60s/early '70s vibe although none of it is dated. There are countless vocalists who go through anonymous TV gigs but Abizaid separates herself with a voice slices above the mainstream and an adventurous spirit which makes her album unpredictable and mesmerizing.
The Great Plan Vol. II is the result of Abizaid’s lifelong passion for melodies and vocal harmonies, which she has been perfecting since she moved to the United States at the age of nine, singing with her four older sisters. After studying flute and piano with private instructors, she attended the Catholic University of America to learn about drama and music. Since then she has acquired a number of accomplishments for TV soundtrack work, the biggest being the main song for the science-fiction series The 4400.
"The Great Plan Vol. II should be of interest to completists of The 4400 but also to anybody yearning for some well-crafted and emotionally resonant pop/rock as well”
- Adam Harrington, Whisperin & Hollerin (UK)
“Abizaid decides to take the road not taken, leaving behind the blandness of TV soundtracks for a personal and intimate album that you could watch the stars with”
- Kyrby Raine, Shotgun Reviews
Credits
FILM
Devious Beings Singer_God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, Come Alive Redbear Films
The Groomsmen Singer_featured song Visionbox Media Group
13th Alley Singer/Songwriter_theme song, Dead Party Super Chief Films
Getting Lucky Singer/Songwriter_Corrupted, When Will You See TigerEye Prods.
3 Below Singer/Songwriter_theme song, 3 Below, Fairlon Suite Super Chief Films
Vex Singer/Songwriter_BlueStar, Black Ice Skylab Films
Abizaid Film Proj.ect Singer/Songwriter_Timeless, My Game, Swings of Love Carolhouse Records/ River Wash
Facing The Lion Singer/Songwriter_Facing The Lion, Timeless Skylab Films
TELEVISION
Paramount Pictures- THE 4400- Theme Song,"A Place In Time",
THAT'S LIFE
VH1/Paramount- STRANGE FREQUENCY, (Singer for Ally Sheady, "Somebody Else", Carisma Carpenter, "Every Breath You Take", (duet w/Sebastian Bach)
WB- CHARMED- Opening Song, "Not Gonna Drag Me Down", SMALLVILLE, SUMMERLAND- "At The End", ONE TREE HILL, BLACK SASH
Lifetime Network- ODD GIRL OUT- "Dreams In Ashes", THE DIVISION
Next Entertainment,Inc.- BIG MAN ON CAMPUS- "How Do I Make"
NBC- ED, PASSIONS
Fox- WONDERFALLS
CBS- THE HANDLER Visionaire Media, Inc.- ON THE ROAD IN AMERICA, "Lebanon"
INTERVIEWS
Channel 4 News
Min Loubnan (Lebanese Broadcast Channel International)
COMMERCIALS
JC Penny Singer BossHouse Music
Felicity Singer WB/Wade Hubbard Music
MUSIC COLLABORATIONS
Steven Stills Crosby, Stills and Nash
Stephen Phillips & Tim P. BossHouse Music
Tom Gimbel Foreigner
Jennifer Stills Rufus Wainright
Ron Dziubla Ricki Martin
Michael Mennell Tom Jones
Todd Sucherman Styx
Taylor Mills Brian Wilson
Scott Bennett Brian Wilson
Eric Dover Alice Cooper
Ben Pealer Lucinda Williams
Bird York Guided by Voices
Lili Haydn Arista
Pepper Mashay Jungle Red Records
Royal Caribbean & Carnival Cruise Lines- Christmas CD Wade Hubbard Music
Press Reviews
New York Post Adam Buckman
"I'd like to thank two singers- one named Sia and the other named Amanda Abizaid- for making TV all the more memorable this summer.
The 4400 Official Companion Book Terry J. Edermann-2007
"Singer, composer and musician Amanda Abizaid is a consummate artist. "Full interview on page 147.
Whisperin & Hollerin UK author: Adam Harrington 'The Great Plan Vol. II' Genre: 'Rock' - Release Date: '2007'
Our Rating: The vocalist behind the theme song of "The 4400" TV series, singer/songwriter Amanda Abizaid (http://www.amandaabizaid.com) proves that her artistry goes beyond commissioned soundtrack work. "The Great Plan Vol. II" should be of interest to completists of The 4400 but also to anybody yearning for some well-crafted and emotionally resonant pop/rock as well.
The acoustic intro of "Corrupted" builds tension until it explodes in a splash of loud modern-rock guitars. From her first at-bat Abizaid is showing us that she shouldn't be labeled as an Adult Contemporary or Easy Listening artist as solo female musicians are often categorized these days. However, Abizaid's voice doesn't mesh as well with the more aggressive textures. "Corrupted" is a solid rock-radio piece, but it doesn't utilize Abizaid's vocals to their full potential. That could be found on "Win Win Situation" and "Facing the Lions," the latter recalling Heart in their dreamiest moments.
Some of Abizaid's work is reminiscent of the '70s, especially the AM radio pop of "When Will You See" (perhaps featuring Abizaid's most melodic singing). The album slows down a little too much in its second half, but "White Trees" is a charming acoustic number and "My Game" hypnotizes us with her winsome singing.
Cd Reviews.com- The Great Plan Vol. II, Written by Michael Sutton [7.6.07]
Singer for The 4400 science-fiction TV series puts out own record.
You know the voice, but you probably don't know the name: That is the Amanda Abizaid story. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, singer/songwriter Abizaid has spent the last couple of years as a vocalist-for-hire, contributing her singing to such TV programs as The 4400 (the theme song, "A Place in Time"), Smallville, and Charmed. However, those fearful of a generic female solo record, overly glossy and clichéd, can rest easy. The Great Plan Vol. II isn't made for the Lifetime channel. Rather, it represents a singular vision, one that is not bound by any stylistic handcuffs.
The soulful, rootsy "Win Win Situation" is Abizaid at her most confident and accessible. The feeling in her voice is more heartfelt here than in the opening track, "Corrupted," which rocks as much as Kelly Clarkson does but doesn't quite reach the creative highs that Abizaid does on other tracks. Ludvig Girdland's violin on "Win Win Situation" gives the song added texture and atmosphere. The ethereal "Facing the Lion" is about as far from giddy TV tuneage as Abizaid gets as she settles into a mood-spinning, incandescent groove.
Abizaid's flute playing provides some of these songs a sort of late '60s/early '70s vibe although none of it is dated. There are countless vocalists who go through the anonymous TV gigs but Abizaid separates herself with a voice slices above the mainstream and an adventurous spirit which makes her album unpredictable and mesmerizing.
Shotgun Reviews Kyrby Raine-2007
"Abizaid decides to take the road not taken, leaving behind the blandness of TV soundtracks for a personal and intimate album that you could watch the stars with"
CDBaby Rock Gypy-2007 *****
“An excellent contribution from a peerless artiste.... Take a chance. I bought this CD without having heard the track beforehand, but because of the artiste's reputation, checked it out. Reach your own conclusion.but check it out.”
LBCI (Lebanese Broadcast Channel International) Min Loubnan (From Lebanon)
Micha Chahhoud
We are honored to add your name among those personalities, so that Lebanese youth can discover people like you and their achievements in different fields.
www.amandaabizaid.com