Over four years ago, while writing about her last release- "Watch Me Work It" - this young and very talented artist blew me away with her beautiful looks, her beautiful voice and her beautiful songwriting.  Now here she is doing it all over again.          

 

    Taking into consideration that this disc was originally released in 2008 and that the album has won her the 2009 Australian Female Blues Artist of the Year, 2009 Best Self Produced Blues CD, 2009 Vic/Tas Female Blues Artist of the Year and was nominated for three Australian Blues Music Awards, there's a very good chance you've already heard Andrea Marr's "Little Sister Got Soul".  If not, you really need to.

 

    Already a contender as the Australian Queen of the Blues, "Little Sister Got Soul" -her first release in the United States - should surely get her the broader recognition she truly deserves.  The disc features ten songs of which 7 are originals.  Joining Andrea, on the lead vocals, are: Greg Dodd on guitar; Clint Healy on bass; Dean Matters on drums; Cam Scott on keyboards & Hammond Organ; Sean Vagg and Paul Williamson on saxophone; Shane Hughes on trumpet; Dave Palmer on trombone; Randy Tadros, Jeke Terei, Edith Borradale and Camel Sundaram on backup vocals; and Jerome Phillips on voiceover. 

 

    There's probably not a man alive who wouldn't indulge, as Andrea says; I want to "Steam Up The Windows" with you...especially after hearing how seductively sultry she sounds saying it.  Steaming things up in his own way is Sean on the sax solos.

 

    "I Prefer You" is a tribute to men of little means but lots of character.  It doesn't matter to Andrea how rich and handsome one may be, it's his standards that matter to her.  Clint and Dean will be the one's you'll be grooving to on this rhythm filled track.

 

    You'll know exactly how much soul this little sister has once you listen to this one.  Gut wrenching vocals, downright raunchy piano playing and blistering guitar licks highlight this all out blues burner.  "If I Leave This World Tomorrow" is by far the disc's best track. 

 

    On this funky number Andrea sounds real happy to have herself a "Real Good Man".  As a matter of fact, she's got a bunch of them right here.  Several are pumpin' out some smokin' rhythm and others are blowin' the hell out of horns.  There will be  no sittin' still here.   

 

    "Baby Got Me Crazy", may just make you crazy.  Andrea can, and will, do that.  You see, on this track she describes the way her baby drives her crazy. Those eyes, those lips, the touch of his fingertips, the way he makes her shiver and the way he makes her shake are all doing it to her.  Likewise, the sexy and sultry way she sings it were doing it for me.  Great song, great vocals, great keyboards and great guitar. 

 

    Other tracks on this CD that's titled "Little Sister Got Soul", but could have easily been titled "Little Sister Got Blues", "Little Sister Got Rhythm", or "Little Sister Got It All" include: "Soulsville", "Don't Touch What You Can't Afford", "Superwoman", "Taught Me To Live", and "What's Wrong With You".

 

    You can check out Andrea Marr by going to www.andreamarr.com.  And don't just look at the pictures - buy the disc and tell her the Blewzzman sent ya.