Andy B. AND SoulFolk - "Tellin' Myself WEIRD Li'l Stories" - Co-Produced-Andy B. www.andybandsoulfolk.com 

 

 

                     He's been a beloved and admired member of the New Jersey music scene for decades , one of those Garden State characters that have become iconic , like "Tilly" , Madame Marie, Taylor Ham , and pork roll ,Jason Voorhees, Toxie , and that Sopranos guy. In fact , much like the pork roll vs Taylor Ham debate , one can argue which version is better - Andy B. from the Voodudes or Andy B. from "Soul Folk"? Either way Andy's music is reflective of the Garden State in so many ways. Whenever I am detoured by the seemingly endless construction on a Jersey road , I often think of Andy's music, swerving off the main road , finding myself veering  into many unintentional directions , surprises waiting around every corner and every unexpected turn  . Andy Bernstein - Andy B. - has been packing dancefloors across the region for decades with music that has always been fun , fresh , exciting, and certainly creative. His short catchy tunes work perfectly for dancing,singing along and drinking!

                   "New Jersey is home.It's where I came up,made mistakes,got shot down and was helped back up again.It's where I can pick up the phone and either reach  people-in-the-know or have them call me back . It's the kind of place where if I'M  coming from a gig with a couple of hundred dollar bills in MY pocket,and the local bartender can't break them, somebody will buy me a beer. It's a small place with lots of big opportunities.It's surrounded by urban markets and has its own culture as well."

                     Andy's voice has been described as "the sound of a bourbon bottle lined with gravel." The Tampa Times gives him "Howlin' Wolf vocals." Blue Revue salutes him with "Andy B has a deep,clear voice a la Buster Poindexter with a way more Southern Edge . For me Andy's voice is Laird's Applejack , with a few shots of 80-proof vodka,barrel-aged,and asphalt smoked.

                     The latest release from Andy B. AND SoulFolk,titled "Tellin' Myself WEIRD Li'l Stories" ,brings together elements of Zydeco and Creole,classic R&B,funk , and roots-rock . There are plenty of influences from Andy's life within racially mixed urban communities , from New Jersey to Venice Beach,California. "......Exposing myself to different music AND the people who make that music will only make this a more balanced world."

                     * "Xmas Eve on Venice Beach" - Fun video - chronicles the adventures of three Jersey boys set loose on Santa Night on the notorious Venice beach with animation by Cary Miller.

                          * "When Nancy Played Some Blues"-  Tribute to the unforgettable Harp Queen, the beloved , late, great , Big Nancy Swarbrick and her weekly residence at the notorious , defunct,Court Tavern in New Brunswick,New Jersey , alongside the legendary and certainly incredible New Jersey-based guitarist Bernie Brausewetter . For many of us who knew Bernie and Nancy , and were friends , this song will be a bittersweet tribute , bringing back a tsunami of wonderful memories , saddened that both of these remarkable talents and amazing individuals are no longer with us . 

                          * Newark Bluesman Juke Joint Johnny is featured on a spooky but soulful version of the New Orleans den of sin classic,"House of the Rising Sun", an original arrangement that Andy did with Johnny in their touring days .

                          * "Money(That's What I Want",written by Berry Gordy for Barrett Strong , is reinterpreted as a "cool jazz"  composition , slower and laid back but extremely  finger-snappin' "cool".  Brings to mind Ray Charles and the Raelettes, this track really swings with a new vibe that brings the song to new heights altogether.

                          * "Risen From The Dead" - Andy has always been influenced spiritually,many of his songs taking biblical references and spinning them into his songs - So,from the man who once brought you "Mary Ellis" - a historically accurate alt-folk song about the grave in the New Brunswick,New Jersey movie theatre parking lot that allegedly inspired the Looking Glass hit "Brandy" - here we have "Risen from The Dead", a rousing second-line , hand-clapping ,  everyone buckjumping uncontrollably, with Marie Laveau and Lazarus leading the way - "I've risen from the dead,I've risen from the dead and now that I've returned to life I must straighten out my head...Like Bella and like Boris,Dracula and Frankenstein,I must figure out what to do to occupy my time....Suddenly a flash of light and I opened up my eyes, Lying in my coffin,in that marble room,I pushed aside that heavy lid and strolled out of that tomb...."

               * "Whiskey,Black Powder & Cigarettes" - A young man's one night stand becomes something devilishly delightful and other worldly, absolutely supernatural, certainly far from ordinary - ".....an aroma of whiskey and ammo, said she's gonna' make me a man...whiskey,black powder and cigarettes,look out there's fire in the hole,makes a mighty fire in the soul...."

                     Called "Garageband Americana" Andy B. And SoulFolk fuse together elements of country,roots-rock,folk, R&B , rock n' roll , gospel , and even zydeco and cajun rhythms delivering a contemporary present day sound . Adding to this are elements of reggae and even jazz , seasoning the gumbo even more , a delicious and intoxicating musical concoction that is delightful and unforgettable . "Tellin Myself WEIRD Li'l Stories" is a wonderful collection of songs that are foot-stompin', hip-shakin' , finger-snappin' sing-alongs that get better and better with repeated listens . Every song is outstanding with Andy and his bandmates firmly in the groove together , having a good time , inviting every listener to join in on the fun . It has been a pleasure meeting all the freaks,geeks,and the misfits, the black and white,all the sweet dudes throughout all the vivid storytelling shared here . If you listen to "Ol' Levon" he says it best" :

                   "Everybody digs the sounds, everybody gets up to get down...Come on down to the river,brother,where the rock begins to roll....Come on down to the river,sister,where the country blends with soul...Celebrate the music because it sounds so good...starting off as a jamboree,ending up as a jubile...everybody's here for the twang and groove...."

 

Thanks to all the extraordinary talents who rocked these sessions:

        Andy B. - lead vocals/harmonica/percussion / Gary Ambrosy - Electric and acoustic guitars/lapsteel/mandolin/background vocals / Paul Dalola - Electric and acoustic bass/background vocals / Marty Hahn - Keyboards/Background vocals / Bill Homeyer-Drums/percussion/background vocals / Juke Joint Johnny Rizzo - Six-string acoustic guitar / Barbara Homeyer-Hahn-Background vocals throughout the recording/Background Vocal Arrangements - by Barbara and Matty

 

Review Happily and Excitedly Written by - John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations - raymondmuller567.wixsite.com/blue-notes-and-con-1

 

Many Thanks.....Michael Limnios Music Network - February 21,2019 - "Andy Bernstein:Let The Roots Roll".