Kristin Andreassen is best known for her affiliation with Uncle Earl but she is a wonderful singer songwriter in her own right plus an energetic and accomplished dancer. Kiss Me Hello, is Kristin's first solo project. I had the opportunity to chat with Kristin about the making of this CD. She co-produced it with Mark Shatz after she had recorded it in the kitchen of her then home in Maryland. According to Kristin, Bill Wolfe should be complimented for the amazing job of mixing the project. "People don't usually notice the mixing and the mastering but it was a long process and we were really careful about it."

Kristin's music is often light and playful. The award winning Crayola Doesn't Make a Color for Your Eyes is a great example of playfulness with its upbeat tune, colorful lyrics and deepened by the percussion beat of the patty cake clapping, delicate tingle of the triangle, and the subtle bass lines. While this song was voted the Best Children's Song in the John Lennon Song Contest in 2007, the lyrics are adult themed. Hello Where Are You? is a good-natured spoof that decries the reality of how we've become imprisoned by the demands of our ringing cell phones. A couple of the tunes have a jazzy sultry feel to them such as My Crazy.

Just Another Song about Molly Brown creatively combines Cuban rhythms with a clawhammer Banjo. Those who are familiar with Uncle Earl will recognize Pale Moon sung here in Duet with Jake Armerding.

Like the Snow is probably the most heartfelt tune on the project and topically is about letting go. The final tune on the project is Faith which Kristin explains portrays a hopeful theme. On the surface it seems deeply spiritual but the power of the song is far more intricate. According to Kristin "the song is more about learning to have faith. Learning to have faith in change. That change will bring about what is meant to be brought about in your life." I like what Kristin has to say through the lyrics of this impactful song. Musically, the tune creatively melds a subtle Celtic melody that softly underlies the primary melody until it unfolds into an obvious jig.

Kristin's writing style tends to have a universal appeal. While some of the pieces are deeply personal, the writing style reveals the emotions in such a way as to turn it back to the listener. I sense Kristin's work will most appeal to woman.

Project Title:		Kiss Me Hello
Artist:		Kristin Andreassen
Released:		2006 Yellowcar Music
Produced by:		Mark Schatz
Recorded (primarily):		Mark Schatz
Mastered and Mixed:		Randy LeRoy at Final Stage Mastering, Nashville, TN
Record Label:		Compass Records

Song List/Credits

Crayola Doesn't Make a Color for your Eyes		(Kristin Andreassen and Megan Downes, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Jump Start My Heart		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
My Crazy		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Kiss Me Hello		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Fly		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Your Ex-Life Calling		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Heat		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Pale Moon		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Like the Snow		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Dancin' in My Sleep		(Bob Lucas, Bellyboy Music – BMI (2002))
Just Another Song About Molly Brown		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Hello Where Are You		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)
Faith		(Kristin Andreassen, Yellowcar Music - ASCAP)

Guest Artists
Mark Schatz Bass; fretless banjo, whistle and choir
Jake Armerding – Harmony
Rushad Eggleston Cello
Danny Knicely Guitar, Choir
Eric Merrill Violin
Aoife O'Donovan Piano and Harmony
Frank Russo Drums
Scott Senior Percussion
Oliver Steck Piano, Choir
Ruth Ungar Harmony
Megan Downs – Patty cake, Choir
Kevin Enoch Triangle
Kim Jones Tap Dance
Del Puschert Saxophone
Sara Watkins Second Violin
Eileen Carson Schatz Chior
Neil Knicely, Choir

This CD was purchased by the reviewer at a house concert held in Jamaica Plains, MA.