Label: Blue Soul
Blues
America has sown the seeds of the blues far and long enough to enjoy some valuable returns over the years. There was the British blues invasion of decades ago that yielded Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Mayall , Baldry et. Al. German guitarist and Ford Blues Band member Volker Strifler and Frenchman Paris Slim, also West Coast based, are more recent arrivals. The freshest entry is young Norwegian guitarist Chris "Kid" Andersen. So fresh, in fact, most of internet sites pertaining to him are in Norwegian. Like the other foreigners who have pledged allegiance to the blues, Andersen was exposed via blues recordings that had made it from the states to his tiny Norwegian town of Herre. The passion took hold early, and by age 20, he was playing in Oslo's Muddy Waters Blues Club.
"Rock Awhile" celebrates Andersen's love for and proficiency in a variety of styles, from jump and shuffle tunes to slow burners. Vocally strong and a bit reminiscent of Paul DeLay, Andersen's guitar ranges widely, from rocking strongly to expertly rendered Chicago style picking. The instrumental "Lil Earthquake" rocks along like an old Freddie King cooker from the King label days. West Coast guitar demigod Junior Watson joins in on "Bald Headed Woman", featuring his distinctive vocals and playing. Mark Hummel adds some smooth harp and vocal on three tracks, with the instrumental shuffle "Hobnobbing with the Hoy Poy" standing out via some great guitar and harp soloing. Based in the states for the past three years, Andersen presents a confident and talented posture. He's vocally and instrumentally strong and can write a damn good blues song: check out "You Ain't So Pretty No More".
Hopefully the future and the music business will be kind to Andersen and he'll achieve the success he's worthy of.
By Tali Madden.
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Kid Andersen is probably best known as Charlie Musselwhite's lead guitar player in his current recording and touring band, but has been putting out solo records for some time now. Born and raised in the country of Norway, Kid moved to California ... Full Descriptionin 2001 and immersed himself in the West Coast Blues sound, which is quite evident on his debut, "Rock Awhile" His wailing guitar and sincere, soulful vocals also draw heavily from Otis Rush,Peter Green, Buddy Guy and Freddie King. This record finds Kid Andersen in full bloom in the California Jump-tinged blues sound. He receives generous help from sax man Terry Hanck, and harper Mark Hummel as well as a few surprises from his long time guitar hero- Junior Watson. Fans of authentic Chicago blues and jumpin' west coast swing guitar cannot miss with this CD. There are also exciting ventures into the world of Surf and a haunting Peter Green-ish workout on "Hangover Day"What some notables say about Kid Andersen and "Rock Awhile":"Speaker-rattling chops, but unlike many players Kid Andersen also has the soul."Dave Rubin- Guitar One Magazine"A wonderful album. Check out his instrumental "Stompin' wit' the Kid!" Junior Watson - West coast guitar legend"Kid Andersen plays with humor, intelligence but most importantly from the heart"Charlie MusselwhiteJohn Heidt, Vintage Guitar Magazine, May Issue 2004: Kid Andersen"Rock Awhile"Blue Soul RecordsYou listen to music long enough, and you end up seeing the damnedest things. Take, for instance, this record. Who is Kid Andersen? Well, let's see. He's a Norwegian bluesman. No, really. He's been in the U.S. for about three years, and seems to have absorbed the blues.Now when I say absorbed, you might think he's parroting things he's heard on old records. That doesn't appear to be the case. Many of the cuts here are written by the Kid himself, and the feel and emotional content appear to be all his own, and not borrowed from a music source."Aquavit Boogie" is an ode to the drink that has highlighted many a weekend. The distorted boogie perfectly fits the subject matter. There's a nice cover of "Walkin' Thru the Park" that features Mark Hummell on harp. The two of them run through this Muddy Waters stomper with reckless abandon, both soloing wonderfully. The menacing "You Ain't So Pretty No More" is a nasty goodbye to an ex that lets the Kid showcase some of his chops.The influences here are all the greats of the American blues pantheon. A lot of the tunes have a real West Coast feel, and T-Bone Walker definitely shows up. The Chicago Blues are represented, as well, and the slow blues of "Someday You Got To Pay" makes it apparent that early B.B. King music made it's way to Norway.This record shows a young man developing into a fine player. My guess is that the Kid will be heard from for many years to come, as he continues to grow on record and on stage.-John HeidtKid AndersenRock AwhileReview By Steve SpoulosMy first exposure to Kid Andersen occurred at the 2005 Portland Waterfront Blues Festival when he was a part of the road band for Charlie Musselwhite. Charlie Musselwhite performed in his customary top notch style and was grooving along when he turned over a solo to this big, tall, red haired, babyfaced giant playing guitar. Charlie stepped back and the Kid stepped forward and proceeded to blow the doors off the old Chevrolet! The solo soared and enthralled the crowd. It was so cool to see Charlie, joining the crowd, bobbin' his head with a huge smile as Kid tore the place up. A true highlight of a musical performance. Kid's CD Rock Awhile will also have Charlie and you bobbin' your heads and smiling right from the opening title cut when Kris says in his unique Nordic influenced voice "Feelin' good this mornin' feel like I am gonna rock awhile." Oh yes...you will definitely rock awhile throughout this 2004 release from Blues Soul.
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01. Rock Awhile 4:12
02. Walkin' Thru the Park 3:33
03. Some Day You Got to Pay 5:48
04. Lil' Earthquke 3:13
05. Bald Headed Woman 3:24
06. Aquavit Boogie 2:27
07. Hangover Day 4:12
08. Hobnobbing With the Hoy Poy 4:39
09. I Really Love My Monkey 3:29
10. All Your Love 3:48
11. You Ain't So Pretty No More 4:08
12. She's Got It 3:09
13. I'm Broke 3:45
14. Stompin' Wit the Kid 3:39
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