So Far by Andrea Louise

The styles of the songs from her latest release, entitled, "So Far" (available at www.andrealouise.com) [are] varied . . . [and] interesting, to say the least. The harmonies . . . stunning.

Scott Detweiler, NoHo arts district.com

http://nohoartsdistrict.com/dance/music_column_Hallen.htm

Singer-songwriter Andrea Louise, whose little band of fabulous musical gypsies known as "Andrea's Living Room (Bus & Truck)" has become somewhat of an L.A. landmark, certainly took her sweet time about releasing her debut CD "So Far," but the singer proved the wisdom of the tortoise and the hare fable. The long awaited album was well worth the wait! Produced by herself and Burleigh Drummond of Ambrosia and Alan Parson note, and Joseph of Windows to Sky, "So Far" is a wonderfully moving collection of crafted tunes and virtuoso performances.

Among Louise's many contributors are the likes of such world-class players and musical minds as Van Dyke Parks, David McKelvy, Richard Hardy, Larry Treadwell, Anna Ferraro and Freebo. In fact, pianist Ferraro also co-authored, with Louise, one of the album's crowning numbers, "That's Where I'll Meet You," where the singer suggests an ability to reach beyond good to moments of greatness. It is always the mark of a successful musical collection that the mention of specific tunes is inadequate to the task of describing the value of the complete work. That being the case everyone has favorites. Mine are, besides "That's Where ...," "Nothing Changes," "Kiss, Kiss" and "Let Go Moses," which is the only song she covers on the CD, proving Louise's dedication to the art and not just her own advancement.

"So Far" is not just a listen to, but a buy and keep in my book.

Joey Alkes

Of DJ Monkey and co-author of The Plimsouls and Goo Goo Dolls' "Million Miles Away" and former entertainment columnist for The Pasadena Weekly.

http://www.squidmusic.com/djmonkey.html

Your cd is gorgeous. Congratulations on your beautiful music.

Barry Keating Creator and Composer of the Tony Nominated Broadway hit STARMITES.

http://www.starmites.com/

Andrea Louise possesses a wit, charm and sensuality that are in short supply today. Her love of performing is immediately apparent, and deliriously infectious. In her debut CD, she shows a range that suggests longevity and depth of purpose. Why try to resist? Give in! You'll be better for it.

Don Stitt, Broadway Actor/Singer/Composer

http://www.faultlineproductions.com/roscoe/bios/donbio.htm

Just wanted to let you know that your CD is a

professional, beautiful piece of work. Regardless of

its promotional value in the biz (which I think is

considerable), the CD is a coming together of talent

and music that cannot be denied. The care and artistry

of the musicians/singers are strong testimony from

people who believe in you and enjoy playing with you.

Together, you all have done a damn good job of

summarizing of an era of passion and fellowship in

your lives.

Play hard, be healthy.

Bruce Gaims, Spyder Blue

http://members.aol.com/spydrblu/

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About the Artist . . .

"It's raining hard in Shanghai

in Montreal the weather's fair

Portraits of lovers on the bureau

rose colored satin on a chair

Now somewhere someone's singing

about a love that's been untrue

The sheets feel cool but your fragrance lingers still

I'm thinking of you. . . ."

from The Captain's Blues

Raised in San Francisco, a professional actress in a successful touring repertory company at the tender age of 8 and a veteran of New York soaps in her early 20's, Andrea Louise has been winning the enthusiasm of both audiences and the critics alike with her hybrid of heart-moving ballads, and harder-edged, near-alternative, blues oriented rock.

Her band, Andrea Louise & Friends, has been doing very well in the Los Angeles music scene over the past few years enjoying an open door relationship with some of the most important rooms in L.A. for acoustic artists. They have opened for Spencer Davis at Genghis Cohen Cantina in Hollywood and were honored by being invited to perform in the CD release party for the Dave McKelvy Harmonica Trio with Van Dyke Parks and Freebo (Bonnie Raitt's legendary bass player).

While perusing the room at a recent performance, it was very difficult to confine her immediate audience to a narrow demographic, as there was as much enthusiasm shown from the "over thirty" crowd as there was from the "twenty-somethings" present, many of whom can be found following her every show. Andrea Louise alternatively charms and seduces her audiences with the passion of her performance and the depth and honesty of her material.

"The truth will make you free it's said

and I suppose that's true

But not before it brings you to your knees . . ."

from Nothing Changes

"Certain experiences in life are universal," she says. "The more honest I am about exploring my own experience, the more likely I will strike a common chord in my audience. And that's what music is about for me. Going out on the skinny branches. Connecting with people from a deep (and sometimes dangerous) place . . ."

Her debut studio CD, So Far, is a collection of her own original material as well as covers of some other artists who appear regularly on the Los Angeles music scene. The CD was produced by Burleigh Drummond and herself with associate producer, Joseph, from the music project "Windows to Sky" at Tin Drum Studios and Three Fire Island in the Los Angeles area. Drummond is one of the founding members and still tours with the band Ambrosia and has played drums, percussion and sung on many of Alan Parson's projects as well as with artists as diverse as Frank Zappa, Kenny Loggins, Dave Mason, Andre Crouch and the L.A. Philharmonic to name just a few. Also lending support to the project are such legendary artists as Van Dyke Parks, and Freebo, as well as the Dave McKelvy Harmonica Trio. The other musicians on the album have played for such talents as Dave Matthews, Dan Fogelberg, Ry Cooder, Rickie Lee Jones, Pat Benatar, Frank Zappa, Jimmy Buffett and Brian Wilson, to mention only a few.

Associate Producer, the multi-talented Joseph from the project Windows to Sky, is presently producing, arranging and playing on an album of his own compositions. Besides sharing in the producing duties on So Far, he also plays 12-string guitar and adds his own style of sophisticated harmonies to the mix with gorgeous results.

"Oh! How her life rushes in . . .

To her lungs

and her sex

and the pores of her skin

Her life rushes in . . ."

from Nobody's Woman

Passion is without question the word that captures the essence of Andrea's music as well as her own persona - on stage and off. And when combined with her gift for creating vivid images of events both real and imagined, this talented young woman clearly is earning for herself a prominent position among the vanguard of a movement noted in a recent Time Magazine cover story toward soulful, female troubadours.

"It's nothing new," she says in reference to the Time cover story. "Female and Male musicians who place an emphasis on words and music have always been with us. These are (and have always been) my greatest artistic influences. It's more challenging to me. When you're going for a style where the lyrics are as important as the music, you'd better have something to say . . . "

Andrea Louise is a woman who has a lot to say, and judging from the response of her enthusiastic audiences, we will be hearing from her for a long time to come.

"Trust your heart to my heart

rest yourself in my arms

for the night.

Let your spirit be free,

when it's just you and me,

it's alright.

it's alright."

from Heartsong

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