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1/20/10 My new duo CD with guitarist Andy Brown is out! Below are some quotes. For full reviews, check out my press page
"...they seem to have an exceptional telepathic rapport that obviates the need for complicated arrangements...van Nuis has a light, gorgeous and fairly delicate voice...Brown, a protégé of Cincinnati guitar master Kenny Poole, happens to be an uncommonly good player, with a modesty that brings to mind the fine Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert and a warmth suggestive of Joe Pass. Joined at the conjugal hip, Brown and van Nuis share a gift for melody and have plenty of rhytmic confidence. They project naturalness when phrasing, and their overall intelligence makes understatement and subtlety virtues. They also merit praise for the integrity informing their choice of songs from the past and for their personal involvement with a lyric." "A vocal/guitar duo set by two long time fellow travelers shows that elegance and simpatico can go a long way. It ain't about the fireworks, it's about the purity of the performance and that's what makes this one of those great, low key wonders. When you've got it going on, you've got it going on and this duo is one of the most ripping good new duos to come along. Check it out when your adult listening ears need something new to fill them." "One of my favorite vocalists of all time was Beverly Kenney...when I started to listen to Far Away Places by vocalist PETRA VAN NUIS and guitarist ANDY BROWN, I was reminded of Kenney, and particularly of the album that she made with the legendary guitarist Johnny Smith. As I continued to listen, I became more impressed with both van Nuis and Brown. They have selected a program that is tasty, comprised of tunes that are not overdone, and includes a few surprises...She gives "Let's Do It" the suggestive edge that makes it most effective. This recording will find an immediate place in my stack of must hear again and again discs..." - Jack Huntley, All About Jazz “Petra and Andy's new CD is splendid...This duet shows just how well a pair of expert musicians listen to one another. They are worth listening to! Both Petra and Andy get first place in my imagined TALENT DESERVING COSMIC RECOGNITION category!” -Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives "A hard swinging and enjoyable album from the Chicago duo of guitarist Andy Brown and vocalist Petra Van Nuis...This album stands on its own two feet as a solid contribution to the jazz guitar-vocal catalogue...each new track brings with it a new musical excursion into the creative minds of these two talented jazzers...their interaction is incredible to witness. Far Away Places takes the listener on an engaging and enjoyable journey through the musical world of this talented duo. Do yourself a favor and check this album out. You won't be disappointed..." - Matt Warnock, Guitar International "This is their first CD done exclusively as a couple. An initial reaction might perhaps be to question: "Isn't this risky?" I can, however, immediately reassure you that this is a beautiful CD. Because both listen to each other very well, their CD is wholly balanced...While sitting by the fireplace with a good drink in hand, I will often insert this CD into my player. Then I will dream..." -Cor De Pater, Old Jazz Express - Netherlands "Petra Van Nuis and Andy Brown are an engaging guitar-vocal duo. Together, the blend of the two creates warm sound and mood that is hard to ignore. The musical chemistry of voice and guitar is truly special and not to be missed by fans of both instruments. -Glenn Daniels, Jazzpage.com “Brown has such a vast repertoire of varied guitar techniques and textures at his command that his ability to choose between them and employ the correct ones with impeccable timing might be his greatest talent of all.... The voice of van Nuis is effervescent, yet refined and classy. There is a sense of sincerity in every note that even that the most jaded of listeners could not fail to hear.” - Randy Freedman, Chicago Jazz Magazine “Far Away Places, a sensitive duet recording in an intimate setting is a sparkling gem....This world of innocence, romance and peaceful melodies is carried by van Nuis' honeyed voice and Brown's exceptional old-school guitar support (who needs a rhythm section? - check out his bass lines on Cole Porter's "From This Moment On" - there are bass players who would kill to play that well)....The quaint and clean presentation is utterly charming: in this case it is hip to be square.” -Brad Walseth, Chicagojazz.net "There's a starkness to Far Away Places — an album that features nothing but lone vocal and guitar — that, rather than give the music a spare quality, instead brings out the richness of the performances. Unlike many other contemporary female jazz singers, Petra is not a belter but a soother, and she keeps things clean and simple when she sings...Similarly, Andy Brown is not about flash and dazzle but about nuance and tastefulness." -Jeff Tamarkin, All Music Guide Far Away Places is available now at CD Baby |
