HEATHER ''LIL' MAMA'' HARDY
''I BELIEVE''
2000
49:22
1. Chi Chi 3:02
2. I Believe/H. Hardy, M. Nordberg 5:15
3. Gotta Love You Better 4:40
4. Oh Blues 5:52
5. Pipe Dream 5:31
6. Physical Thing/S. Taylor 3:10
7. Jacob's Song 5:38
8. Reach Out 4:34
9. Why? 7:25
10. Traffic Violation/H. Hardy, M. Nordberg 4:11
Tracks By H. Hardy, Except As Indicated
Heather 'Lil' Mama' Hardy/Violin, Vocals
Hiromasa Suzuki/Guitars
Donia Oxford/Keyboards
Sam Taylor/Vocals
Michael P. Nordberg/Bass, Percussion
Clayton Craddock/Drums On 1, 3, 6, 8, 9
Mario Staiano/Drums On 2, 4, 7
Darren Lyons/Drums On 5, 10
Gregory Latty/Handclaps, Tambourine
Jacob Edward Hardy/Vocals
REVIEW
By Joe Grandwilliams, Backyard Blues
Long known as the incendiary violinist of the Sam Taylor band, Ms. Hardy's latest CD shows she stands in nobody's shadow, but she does keep some spectacular company.
The first notes of the song "Chi Chi" are an amalgam of Kurt Weill, country fiddling and some of the deepest blues you are going to hear. Then it kicks into a driving rhythmic romp. Following closely behind is the title track, co-written with bassest Mike Nordberg. Here is a showcase for Hardy's silky vocals as well as an affirmation of her personal philosophy. Nordberg also co-wrote "Traffic Violation" a paean to vehicle ownership in New York City as well as a catalog of violin parts against a funk background.
Anytime you see Heather Hardy, it's a safe bet Sam Taylor isn't too far away and this in no exception. A guest vocal shot on his own composition "Physical Thing" is a study in contrasts and compounds. "Pipe Dream" is probably my favorite piece on this collection. The lyrical juxtaposition of reality and fantasy provide a comfort zone against the exquisite keyboard work of Dona Oxford, while Hiromasa Suzuki's guitar engages in some serious interplay with Hardy's violin. "Oh Blues" would be a close second, although her piece for her son, "Jacob's Song" manages to convey the joy she has found in motherhood without getting syrupy.
I have been listening to this to this since I got it, and every play reveals more layers of musicianship and lyrical talent. This is a highly recommended CD.
ABOUT HEATHER ''LIL' MAMA HARDY''
Heather "Lil'Mama Hardy" born May 22, 1965, Westport, CT. and began studying piano at the age of six and in the fourth grade started taking violin lessons. In high school, she studied violin with Richard Errante, a student of renowned teacher Rafael Bronstein. At the Manhattan School of Music, she studied with Bronstein himself.
Moving to Tucson in 1992, she joined the Sam Taylor Band, originally as a featured violin soloist, but soon becoming a vocalist as well.
Juxtaposing violin whispers with tasty, slamming wah wah captivated audiences and helped the band win the 1995 Arizona Blues Showdown. That was followed by taking second place in the International Blues Talent Competition in Memphis and a European tour. By 1997, Heather had formed her Lil'Mama band, taking it to New York in 1998.
John Mayall considers her "absolutely brilliant". Her first solo CD, "Violins", was followed in 2000 by "I Believe". Heather has also been a featured guest on dozens of other recordings, including Arizonans Sam Taylor, Lisa Otey, Gerry Glombecki and Stefan George.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
''I BELIEVE''
2000
49:22
1. Chi Chi 3:02
2. I Believe/H. Hardy, M. Nordberg 5:15
3. Gotta Love You Better 4:40
4. Oh Blues 5:52
5. Pipe Dream 5:31
6. Physical Thing/S. Taylor 3:10
7. Jacob's Song 5:38
8. Reach Out 4:34
9. Why? 7:25
10. Traffic Violation/H. Hardy, M. Nordberg 4:11
Tracks By H. Hardy, Except As Indicated
Heather 'Lil' Mama' Hardy/Violin, Vocals
Hiromasa Suzuki/Guitars
Donia Oxford/Keyboards
Sam Taylor/Vocals
Michael P. Nordberg/Bass, Percussion
Clayton Craddock/Drums On 1, 3, 6, 8, 9
Mario Staiano/Drums On 2, 4, 7
Darren Lyons/Drums On 5, 10
Gregory Latty/Handclaps, Tambourine
Jacob Edward Hardy/Vocals
REVIEW
By Joe Grandwilliams, Backyard Blues
Long known as the incendiary violinist of the Sam Taylor band, Ms. Hardy's latest CD shows she stands in nobody's shadow, but she does keep some spectacular company.
The first notes of the song "Chi Chi" are an amalgam of Kurt Weill, country fiddling and some of the deepest blues you are going to hear. Then it kicks into a driving rhythmic romp. Following closely behind is the title track, co-written with bassest Mike Nordberg. Here is a showcase for Hardy's silky vocals as well as an affirmation of her personal philosophy. Nordberg also co-wrote "Traffic Violation" a paean to vehicle ownership in New York City as well as a catalog of violin parts against a funk background.
Anytime you see Heather Hardy, it's a safe bet Sam Taylor isn't too far away and this in no exception. A guest vocal shot on his own composition "Physical Thing" is a study in contrasts and compounds. "Pipe Dream" is probably my favorite piece on this collection. The lyrical juxtaposition of reality and fantasy provide a comfort zone against the exquisite keyboard work of Dona Oxford, while Hiromasa Suzuki's guitar engages in some serious interplay with Hardy's violin. "Oh Blues" would be a close second, although her piece for her son, "Jacob's Song" manages to convey the joy she has found in motherhood without getting syrupy.
I have been listening to this to this since I got it, and every play reveals more layers of musicianship and lyrical talent. This is a highly recommended CD.
ABOUT HEATHER ''LIL' MAMA HARDY''
Heather "Lil'Mama Hardy" born May 22, 1965, Westport, CT. and began studying piano at the age of six and in the fourth grade started taking violin lessons. In high school, she studied violin with Richard Errante, a student of renowned teacher Rafael Bronstein. At the Manhattan School of Music, she studied with Bronstein himself.
Moving to Tucson in 1992, she joined the Sam Taylor Band, originally as a featured violin soloist, but soon becoming a vocalist as well.
Juxtaposing violin whispers with tasty, slamming wah wah captivated audiences and helped the band win the 1995 Arizona Blues Showdown. That was followed by taking second place in the International Blues Talent Competition in Memphis and a European tour. By 1997, Heather had formed her Lil'Mama band, taking it to New York in 1998.
John Mayall considers her "absolutely brilliant". Her first solo CD, "Violins", was followed in 2000 by "I Believe". Heather has also been a featured guest on dozens of other recordings, including Arizonans Sam Taylor, Lisa Otey, Gerry Glombecki and Stefan George.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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