This country song via Austin based Andrew Heller is sure to one day be remembered as one of the classic songs of recent time. Its pure country music the way it used to be, full of cautionary tales, whiskey drinkin’ and a tall tale. Scrap Piece of Paper will take you back to a simpler time, before people started airing their dirty laundry out on the Radio to dry. First a little bit about Heller: Heller sounds like a trained pop tenor who sings only one type of song: those he loves. “I have to believe in a song to want to sing it,” he said, “and to make the audience believe it. If I don’t believe in what I’m doing, I don’t expect them to. If you listen to Willie, Sinatra, even Pavarotti, they’ve never sung songs they didn’t believe in. That’s what I do.” Andrew Heller is a gifted vocalist who has sung with the Austin Symphony, the Philadelphia Philharmonic and the Texas Playboys, just to name a few, and performed at events from the inaugural ball for President Obama to the annual South by Southwest music festival in Austin, where he resides. He’s twice been nominated for the Entertainer of the Year award by the Inspirational Country Music Association (he lost out in 2010 to Christian megastars Point of Grace), but he also sings show tunes, songs from the Great American Songbook, Christmas music…well, in other words, the guy can sing the phone book. From beginning to end “Scrap Piece of Paper” lets it all hang out with catchy vibe, fun musical landscape full of power and happy go luck overtones. One thing that impressed me the most about this album/band is the sheer “good tyme rag” vibe one gets. There is an ambience that really sucks in the listener into their musical world — very professional. The instrumentation and tones give you that genuine feel of good music and writing from a generation ago. It also has a solid feel reminiscent of Country music popular in the sixties and seventies as well. Heller reminds me of a modern day version of Jimmy Buffett but I can also hear Coco Montoya, Duke Robillard, and Jimmie Vaughan. All members in Heller’s band are solid musically. Kudos goes out to the amazing Pedal Steel guitar playing and impressive vocal touch. “Scrap Piece of Paper” captures Lighting in a Bottle that will ring true not only for older more experienced listeners but new ones as well. “Scrap Piece of Paper” wraps up a well rounded 4 minute ride that delivers an interesting cross section of classic Americana Folk-Rock, and Classic Country. Despite this it is accessible to modern day listeners. How is this possible? Only an experienced artist and composer can pull it off, backed up by a solid production instincts via brilliant musical mastermind personality that is Andrew Heller. Need I say more?
Posted by Scottie Carlito edited by Markus Druery
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