I met Bob Hausler at the Corktown Music Festival in Detroit. We were both playing the same stage at the Corktown Tavern. Here’s my review of his new single:
Songwriters Bob Hausler and Laura Frawley do what few can achieve with “My Name is Maria.” They’ve taken on a serious subject and molded it into a wonderful song to create awareness and empathy. “My Name is Maria” glides along smoothly bringing color to our black and white perception of the hardships some girls face. I’m not here to give away the song’s storyline and subject matter, I want you to discover it on your own. But let me say this—you’ll be a better person for listening to it—more appreciative of what you have and a little closer to the goal of humility. We all need a song like this in our life—one that reminds us we’re not the epicenter of the universe.
Ron Rosco Selley’s harmonica and David Roof’s nylon string accompaniment act as tour guides—explaining all that we're seeing. Emotionally, Selley’s harp playing will bring you to a tearful trajectory before retreating. At one point, it’s evident he’s headed to a solo, but there is none. Instead, the song keeps moving forward to tell its story. There’s no time for resting. I love that about this song. It keeps moving.
Bob’s powerful voice, Selley’s swelling harmonica, and Roof’s Spanish-sounding guitar all work together on the chorus to accent lines like “There must be an answer. Some compassionate way.” Thank you, Bob and Laura, for giving the world this masterpiece—a timeless work of contemplation, a beautiful song we can’t turn away from, designed to be listened to again and again!
Credits: Robert W. Hausler- Laura Frawley, songwriters / Ron Rosco Selley harmonica / David Roof nylon string guitar / Bob Hausler- all vocals, bass, percussion, and acoustic guitars.