Packed with lyrical
substance and musical diversity, singer-songwriter
duo Anastasia and John's new CD Little Man is truly
a celebration of, as well as a challenge to, the
human condition. Relating to love, fear, strength,
friends, faith and patterns, they instill a mature
and refreshing honesty that goes a long way
here.
Each bring to the table songs of
their own, as well as a pair written together. The
tracking of the CD flows like a river from deep
reflective pools to churning, unsettling
rapids.
From John's, "Along the Way," an
infectiously upbeat rocker, to Anastasia's
hauntingly powerful ballad, "Sierra," Anastasia and
John together have forged an originality in their
music forming a fine blend of jazz, folk, rock and
country influences that morphs into a distinct
brand of their own.
Lead vocal deliveries from both
Anastasia and John are strong and smooth, and
together they send up shimmering harmonies.
Alongside the many beautiful melodies, the well
crafted phrasing flows effortlessly. Johns acoustic
guitar work leads the way and features unique open
tunings and solid rhythmic interplay.
The production and instrumentation
runs from stark to lavish, always tasty and never
overdone. With a splashing of exotic flourishes
such as on the jazz-rock sitar inflected "Safe
Inside," or harmonium on "Over and Over," and
subtle synth effects throughout, there is no
shortage of inventiveness, also evidenced in some
brilliant bridges and changes.
Strong support on this worthy
effort include James Raymond (CPR) lending his
talented ear as co-producer and piano/ keyboardist.
Bass duties are split between Andrew Ford (CPR) and
Jorge Calderon. Drummer Stevie DiStanislao (CPR),
and electric guitarist Shawn Tubbs round out the
ensemble. James, David Crosby, Graham Nash and John
Gorka provide additional back up vocals, with the
gifted Jamaica Rafael on violin.
Little Man is the second studio
release by Anastasia and John. You can get more
information on this CD as well as their debut 98
release "That's You and Me" by visiting
their website at www.anastasiaandjohn.com or
cdstreet.com.
© 2002 - Tim and Ananda
Owen
http://www.liveconcertphotos.com
Wow! We got your new CD
this week--thanks! Absolutely stunning stuff! It
has instantly earned a permanent spot in our CD
carousel. I hear a maturity and soulfulness in your
voice, Anastasia, that makes me want to drop
everything and rush to worship at your feet. And
Gorka's harmony on He Used To Shine is really
sweet. Great choice asking him to work on the
record with you--your voices blend very well.
I'm glad that you chose to let the
instruments accompany the vocals and not the other
way around like some people do. The whole
production contains an intricate layering of
instruments without sounding busy or overdone.
Great piano/organ work, and Jamaica did an
excellent job on the strings as usual. I have only
listened to it three times, and I admit a little
bias, but I honestly cannot find any negative
criticisms or areas "needing improvement." The
first-rate songwriting, top-notch musicianship, and
supurb production on Little Man will have
folk/rock/Americana fans taking notice and
clamoring for more.
Eddie Block ~ Block House Concerts,
Austin, TX.
I
can't believe it's actually been
almost 5 years since Anastasia and John's first CD
"That's You and Me" was released. I purchased it
the same night that I first saw them perform as an
opening act for CPR at the Birchmere (1998, I
think). That CD has racked up quite a few plays
since then. "That's You and Me" was pretty much a
studio version of a live Anastasia and John
performance, very mellow and very acoustic, with
minimal embellishments.
Since then, I had heard most of the
new material that would eventually appear on
"Little Man" and John was keeping me informed of
the progress of the CD over the course of this past
summer. I was almost afraid that the eventual
release of "Little Man" was going to be
anti-climactic.
Not so! I did expect the CD to be
good, but it turned out to be INCREDIBLY good!
James and A&J did a great job on the production
and Paul Dieter performed his usual "mix
magic".
I think "Little Man" really shows
the growth in A&J as both writers and
performers over the past 5 years (I'll go out on a
limb and say that Anastasia's vocals on "Safe
Inside" are as good as any female vocalist out
there today). The addition of the keyboards,rhythm
section (James, Andrew, Stevie D and Jorge
Calderon)and some great lead guitar work by Shawn
Tubbs really opens up A&J's sound while leaving
the vocals right up front where they belong. Of
course, the harmony provided by Croz and Nash are
definitely icing on an already tasty cake, as is
Jamaica Raphael's Violin and Viola work.
All this leads up to the really
amazing part......
I was also surprised to find at
least 3 cuts on "Little Man" that would be worthy
of AAA Radio airplay. Now...we know that it's tough
for "acoustic" acts to make it onto todays "flavor
of the month" playlists without compromising some
of their "artistic integrity" in the process, but
A&J have managed to do it. I think "Safe
Inside", "Leap of Faith", and "Along the Way" could
get played on any of the more eclectic AAA radio
stations (The WFUV's or WXPN's) that are
broadcasting today.
At any rate, The CD has passed the
car CD changer test - It's been in there for almost
a month now and I refuse to take it out. My
apologies for the long-winded review - I shouldn't
have waited so long!
Franco Pietoso, New Jersey
The wait was worth it,
Anastasia! You and John have made something
supremely beautiful with "Little Man". "That's You
and Me" is also proudly back on my shelf. Australia
needs you!
Debbie Kruger, Australia
