When it comes to youthfulness - I envy those that have it, as for talent - I marvel at those who possess it, intelligence is also a quality I commend and I truly admire the beautiful. However, possessorship of all of these should be downright illegal. Someone arrest ANDREA MARR.
Not only is this absolutely beautiful, young lady a superb vocalist, but she's an excellent songwriter as well. Add to that the ability and the savvy to surround herself with an equally as talented band and you've got quite the enterprising lady. Joining ANDREA MARR on this wonderful project are LLOYD SPEIGEL on guitar and backup vocals, LUKE HODGESON on bass and backup vocals, DEAN MATTERS on drums and backup vocals, CAMERON SCOTT on the Hammond Organ, piano and backup vocals, CHRIS MCCONACHY on harmonica, and ANDY COWAN on keyboards and backup vocals.
One need not read ANDREA'S bio to know that her roots stem from singing Gospel music as a child. Her soulful, passionate, energetic and certainty of her vocals - and the style in which she delivers them - make that quite apparent. That background, her father exposing her to jazz and hearing Elvis Presley are the ingredients that ANDREA accredits to her being blues influenced.
Residing in Melbourne, Australia, her popularity with the local blues community has been tremendous. An earlier release netted her the Australian "Female Blues Artist of the Year" in 2002, and in 2005 she was crowned "Blues Performer of the Year", sending her to Memphis as her blues society representative in the "International Blues Challenge". Not bad credentials.
"WATCH ME WORK IT" consists of ten tracks equally divided between originals and covers. The opening track, "NEIGHBOR, NEIGHBOR" immediately impresses. Andrea wastes no time in establishing her range and certitude and the band, featuring skillful work by CAMERON on the Hammond B3, is already on fire.
Like other things that are part of a women's life - like it or not, ANDREA has had her share of "MAN TROUBLE" (one of the discs originals). Behind some strong harp work by CHRIS, and several very hot guitar licks by LLOYD, LUKE and DEAN light this one up with sharp bass and drum work.
Another original, "HE ONLY ROCKS ON STAGE", uses some interesting lyrics to describe an ex-boyfriend who apparently has a rock star ego. It seems this "thriller of a killer" could only rock on stage. The band however, is a killer and a thriller on this rocker which is highlighted by smoking guitar and piano work by LLOYD and CAMERON.
Slowing it down to a slow and sultry pace, and showing where her roots come from, ANDREA belts out some real pure and raw blues on the Jimmy Witherspoon classic "AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS". Being the blues burner that it is, you'd expect lots of great blues guitar, and LLOYD delivers. In spite of that, and more stunning piano work by CAM, ANDREA'S vocals blow this one out of the box. Obviously, due to several hits of the replay button and wishing that this four minute track was fourteen minutes, this ONE is unquestionably my particular favorite.
Another great cover is Jimmy Reed's "BABY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO". This one captures the whole band simultaneously peaking. It's musically the best track on the disc. Showcasing her vocal strength, ANDREA flexes her cords on this one. Having not seen this young, petite native of Sri Lanka, a listener would easily describe the singer of this song as a 300 lb, thirty year veteran of the blues from some where in Mississippi.
Knowing my taste always leans more towards the lowdown dirty blues, it's pretty much a gimme that songs like "IF I DIDN'T LOVE YOU", another original, get me going. This is the type of song that even makes the people who'd rather catch the flu than get up and dance, want to get up and dance. The soulful and sultry vocals, the steady and smooth tapping of the snare drum and the constant and very soft background organ make it impossible to not want to just close your eyes and sway. Man, this is good stuff.
The rest of "WATCH ME WORK IT" consists of: "WATCH ME WORK IT", "TOO HOT TO HANDLE", "STAND AND DELIVER" and "ONE SIDED LOVE AFFAIR".
It's this listeners opinion that should ANDREA MARR get some world wide recognition that those Australian Music Awards could quickly be accompanied by a few other Blues Music Awards - namely the ones given out by the Blues Foundation. Please stop by www.andreamarr.com and check her out. Be sure to tell her she impressed the hell out of the Blewzzman.