Theresa Andersson: Shine (2004)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: April 14, 2004

This is not jazz and I could not be happier. Like Blue Note sneaking Norah Jones under the radar, Basin Street Records has added a bit of Tabasco to their musical meal with New Orleans' own Theresa Anderson. Ms. Andersson is all about rock. With Shine, she provides a heaping helping of post-'80s fem-rock that is at once original and familiar. The recording defies categorization as Miss Andersson mixes electric guitars, violin, and electronics in such a way that you have little idea where she going. That, of course, is the point.

Where she comes from is the rich heterogeneous tradition of the Big Easy. Cue up "It's Gonna Be Okay" for church, "Connected" for stadium anthem, and the title tune for relentless good times. Miss Andersson's band is grounded with Jon Cleary's genre-busting keyboards and guided by guitarist Shane Theriot. Together, the trio makes some of the most provocative rock music that I have recently heard. Just think of Pat Benatar meeting Mahalia Jackson and you will have Theresa Andersson.

Visit Basin Street Records and Theresa Andersson on the web.

Track Listing: Connected; Lie To Me; I'm On My Way; Shine; It's Gonna Be Okay; Good Girl; Don't Disturb; False Alarm; Make It Pop; Break Up; What You Give; Lorraine's Song.

Personnel: Jon Cleary: Piano, Keyboards, Vocals (Bckgr), Farfisa Organ, Wurlitzer Shane Theriot: Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Guitar (Electric), Tambourine, Guitar (12 String), Producer, Guitar (Classical), Bass Effect Treatment Theresa Andersson: Violin, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocals (Bckgr), Shaker, Fender Rhodes Willie Green: Drums Grayson Capps: Harmony Vocals Mark Samuels: Executive Producer Adam Nitti: Bass Glenn Leblanc: Bass, Arranger, Guitar. (Electric) Annie Clements: Vocals (Bckgr) Lupe Valdiviez: Drums, Loop

Record Label: Basin Street Records
Style: Beyond Jazz