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Album Reviews:

Fervor Coulee - roots music opinion

 .....dang can she sing and write a song.

Reminding me as much of Lou Reed as she does Eliza Gilkyson, Unimaginable Things was released regionally in 2024 but received wider distribution in late 2025. And we can be pleased that it has.

From Chicago, Maragos is a vet of local open mics and has previously produced an album and a pair of EPs. While Unimaginable Things is concise at 8 songs and fewer than 30 minutes, it will be thoroughly enjoyed by attuned listeners who make the investment.

Created by a tight crew including co-producer Brian Wilkie (guitars of all sorts including bass) and John Abbey (more guitars, percussion, organ), the arrangements allow Maragos’ voice and acoustic guitar to shine. She is an expressive singer, and whether the songs are obviously significant (“The Heavy,” dedicated to her deceased brother, Danny and “The Playground”) or more universal (the title track, “You’re Gonna Get Lost In My Eyes,” and “What You See,” (the song that brought Lou Reed to mind, for whatever reason) her ability to communicate through song is apparent. These songs connect with listeners, allowing us to share in her experiences and finding connection to our own.

“Stella and the Marlboro Man” reminds us of Nanci Griffith’s graceful ability to bring a stranger (in this case, Stella Mavrides who created the iconic cigarette-brand image) to a textured, touchable reality.  The hopeful “Angel” benefits from John T. Rice’s mandolin notes with the closing tale of motherhood, “When I Watch You Go” elevated by Steve Doyle’s Dobro contributions.

With Unimaginable Things, Dana Maragos pulls me close, as has Helene Cronin, Maria Dunn, Angela Easterling, Kim Beggs, and so many others over the years—songwriters with an approach and perspective entirely their own. She is worth exploring. Trust me.

--by Donald Tepyske, Fervor Coulee - roots music opinion

Full review HERE.

Americana Highways.com: 

"It's the exceptional 4th studio album by singer/songwriter Dana Maragos. The effort is dedicated to her late brother Danny (1960-2023) & includes songs inspired by conversations, stories & reflections of troubles & triumph.

Dana’s fine, warm voice is captured well, with all its sincerity & mature vocalizing timbre similar to Ferron, Rosalie Sorrels & other contemporary folk singers. These women embraced their full-throated, resolute vocal ebullience. There are no thin vocals to this showcase. It all has a generous & distinguished projection. Dana has this especially on the well-played narrative “What You See.”

There are only 8 original songs to Unimaginable Things (Drops Dec 12/Independent/28:52) produced by Brian Wilkie (electric, pedal steel & Stella acoustic guitars/electric bass/harmony) & Dana (acoustic guitars/vocal). You can hear through Dana’s voice the care taken in crafting her compositions. 

There are plenty of finely tuned lyrical tales offered by Ms Maragos with prodigious guitars framing each well-written tale (“The Playground”). Dana’s folk balladry never gets too retro, & she keeps her story textures balanced & always interesting.  The songs are more drawn into a web of poignancy, truthfulness & emotional clarity.

“The Heavy” is just that. Heavy. Excellent lyrics, sensitive vocalizing, self-assured, meticulous guitar interplay. Quite marvellous. Nothing silly, tedious or posturing. Certainly, a standout tune. If you’re not a folk music fan because of its activism, hokum or reputation as protest music — this song alone should be the exception. This album could be the exception".

Selected highlights –

“What You See,” “The Playground,” “Unimaginable Things,” “The Heavy,” & “When I Watch You Go.”

--John Alpice, Americana Highways, Dec., 2025

Full review  HERE.

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​"A superb songwriter. Pure Americana." by Alan Fitter, Americana UK from the review of the album, "October", Oct 2020

​                         ____________________________                            About ....

Dana's grandmother bought her a $25 guitar in Chicago's Old Town when she was 6 years old. She spent her early years in south Chicago, singing and playing at a teenage neighbor's vibrant, acoustic bathroom, learning the songs of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Eric Andersen, while mastering the art of applying black eyeliner.  She began writing poems in 2nd grade for her mother and wrote her first song at 14.

After graduating from Libertyville high school and from U of I, and a couple of stints at WPGU-FM, she became a cable tv "gypsy" living in the south, northeast and west before moving back to Chicago.A southside  native, she married to George and raised  two sons on the city’s north side. Sunday church choir is part of her routine.​

Featured on folk and roots radio:"The Midnight Special"on WFMT-98.7FM hosted by Marilyn Rea Beyer; on Lilli Kuczma's "Folk Festival" program with live, in-studio performance and on "American Backroads", hosted by Greg Easterling on WDCB-90.9FM; conversations and live performances on Tom Jackson's "Somebody Else's Troubles"on WLUW 88.7 FM; on Ron Lewis'"Folk Show" on WNUR 89.3 FM

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