Andi Camp - The Perfect Stranger
(Grafton)
The Perfect Stranger is my introduction to Andi Camp, who has been around for a while, and has already released several albums with other musicians and as a solo artist. I'm happy to have heard this album. It's a refreshing and moving collection of songs.
Andi Camp's music is unique in several ways. The most obvious is the choice of instruments on The Perfect Stranger. Andi is a pianist, and plays with intensity and feeling. She portrays a great deal of emotion with her instrument. The piano varies from simple, yearning, and restrained to complex and almost frantic. The piano is one of the best things about the album. The other instruments are drums, saxophone, cello, double bass, and trumpet. The trumpet is all right, but sometimes sounds obtrusive and bland compared with the other instruments. The strings and saxophone add warmth and personality, and are played beautifully.
Next to the piano, the drums are the most prominent, and in some songs the drums and piano are played together without accompanying instruments. It seems unusual for drums and piano to play together, but they blend perfectly. Like the piano, the drums are dynamic and flowing.
The Perfect Stranger is also unique because the music is so open and frank. Andi doesn't seem to be trying to prove anything; she is simply playing her music. This feeling probably comes through Andi's voice and lyrics. The vocals are not overbearing, but they are a significant part of the music. The lyrics are well written, and Andi's voice is mellow and unadorned, which makes the music even less pretentious.
Although the songs are similar in style and instrumentation, the melodies, tempos, and arrangements are varied and interesting all the way through. The album is inviting in many ways. It's nice to hear such lovely music.
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