Andina and Rich

Stephen Lee Rich and Sandy Andina have been sitting in on one another’s performances for some twenty years in the Chicago area. Around 1995 Rich moved to Madison and has been performing in the area ever since. Also known as “the yodeling cowboy,” Rich has finally followed through on getting an Andina and Rich recording made. Because We Can, is thirteen songs of sometimes satirical, sometimes historical, sometimes poignant and always well-crafted tunes recorded in various live settings by Mike
Wiegmann.

There are a number of musicians joining the couple such as
Amy Curl, Ron Dennis, Doug Hamilton, Julia McConahay, Ingrid Frances
Stark and Quin Stickler.

The album kicks off with the only cover, “A Fine Romance,” a song made famous by the musical of the same name, recorded by Fred Astaire in 1936.
It’s a comical piece and Andina carries the melody until about halfway through
when Rich takes over. It’s nearly startling how Rich can sound like Willie Nelson at times, with that same deep, resonant voice seasoned with character. McConahay (Michigan’s Madison Greene band) turns in some exquisite fiddle tracks, especially on the gorgeous Rich composition “Time Has No Mercy”.

Rich’s compositions are especially memorable. Songs like “Mudball” and “Time Has No Mercy” have an emotional depth that rings true and a classic folk feel. “Buddy, I’m Just Sick To Death of Christmas” forays into more comical terrain and has one of the more interesting kazoo solos ever commited to tape.
Andina’s songs are in the storyteller vein, a bit more traditional in structure. Perhaps her best song,”Because We Can!,” is a send-up on the corporate world and taking it up the wazoo for The Man. “Safe Home” benefits from Hamilton’s
stand up bass and the interplay of guitars in the middle section is tender and effective.
- Rick's Cafe - Wisconsin's Regional Music Newspaper

Stephen Lee Rich and Sandy Andina have been sitting in on one another’s performances for some twenty years in the Chicago area. Around 1995 Rich moved to Madison and has been performing in the area ever since. Also known as “the yodeling cowboy,” Rich has finally followed through on getting an Andina and Rich recording made. Because We Can, is thirteen songs of sometimes satirical, sometimes historical, sometimes poignant and always well-crafted tunes recorded in various live settings by Mike
Wiegmann.

There are a number of musicians joining the couple such as
Amy Curl, Ron Dennis, Doug Hamilton, Julia McConahay, Ingrid Frances
Stark and Quin Stickler.

The album kicks off with the only cover, “A Fine Romance,” a song made famous by the musical of the same name, recorded by Fred Astaire in 1936.
It’s a comical piece and Andina carries the melody until about halfway through
when Rich takes over. It’s nearly startling how Rich can sound like Willie Nelson at times, with that same deep, resonant voice seasoned with character. McConahay (Michigan’s Madison Greene band) turns in some exquisite fiddle tracks, especially on the gorgeous Rich composition “Time Has No Mercy”.

Rich’s compositions are especially memorable. Songs like “Mudball” and “Time Has No Mercy” have an emotional depth that rings true and a classic folk feel. “Buddy, I’m Just Sick To Death of Christmas” forays into more comical terrain and has one of the more interesting kazoo solos ever commited to tape.
Andina’s songs are in the storyteller vein, a bit more traditional in structure. Perhaps her best song,”Because We Can!,” is a send-up on the corporate world and taking it up the wazoo for The Man. “Safe Home” benefits from Hamilton’s
stand up bass and the interplay of guitars in the middle section is tender and effective.
- Rick's Cafe - Wisconsin's Regional Music Newspaper

B Section September, 2005 Record Review Andina and Rich - Because We Can Before Stephen Lee Rich came to Madison, he spent a couple of decades on the Chicago folk scene, where he often collaborated with singer-songwriter Sandy Andina. Because We Can!, their first full-length recording as a duo, is a fast-moving tour of highlights from their joint repertoire. Andina and Rich put heart and humor into this colorful array of folk, old-time pop and novelty songs. Andina and Rich are both accomplished songwriters and musicians - Rich's guitar style and Andina's way with melody are especially strong - but they don't take themselves too seriously. There are parodies of old folk chestnuts, doo-wop harmonies, and even a couple of kazoo solos. The title track, which has made waves on the Dr. Demento radio show, is a model of political songwriting that's thoroughly entertaining. It's one of many songs on the record that show off the duo's wonderfully off-kilter timing. An inclusive folk aesthetic permeates this album, with live recordings and a jug-band jam keeping things loose and lively. You get the sense that this music is meant to be passed around and shared, especially on the community anthem You Can't Do It All On Your Own and the yellow-ribbon-reclaiming ballad Safe Home, with its pretty, singalong chorus. The many guest musicians include MSG's Amy Curl on piano and Doug Hamilton on upright bass. A few narrative and introspective folk songs bring depth to the project. Orange and Pink Prairie Sky distills the feeling of freedom on a country road trip, and has an interesting combination of pop and bluegrass textures. The dramatic Time Has No Mercy evokes America's move west. I was surprised to see Christmas songs on the album this early in the year. Fortunately, one of them grouses at the whole long season. If you feel differently, you might like the well-crafted, sentimental Christmas-and-Chanukah one that follows. Mike Wiegmann engineered Because We Can!, which he produced with Stephen Lee Rich. The production is inspired and true to the spirit of the artists' live performances. - The B Side - The monthly Newsletter of the Madison Songwriter's Group

B Section September, 2005 Record Review Andina and Rich - Because We Can Before Stephen Lee Rich came to Madison, he spent a couple of decades on the Chicago folk scene, where he often collaborated with singer-songwriter Sandy Andina. Because We Can!, their first full-length recording as a duo, is a fast-moving tour of highlights from their joint repertoire. Andina and Rich put heart and humor into this colorful array of folk, old-time pop and novelty songs. Andina and Rich are both accomplished songwriters and musicians - Rich's guitar style and Andina's way with melody are especially strong - but they don't take themselves too seriously. There are parodies of old folk chestnuts, doo-wop harmonies, and even a couple of kazoo solos. The title track, which has made waves on the Dr. Demento radio show, is a model of political songwriting that's thoroughly entertaining. It's one of many songs on the record that show off the duo's wonderfully off-kilter timing. An inclusive folk aesthetic permeates this album, with live recordings and a jug-band jam keeping things loose and lively. You get the sense that this music is meant to be passed around and shared, especially on the community anthem You Can't Do It All On Your Own and the yellow-ribbon-reclaiming ballad Safe Home, with its pretty, singalong chorus. The many guest musicians include MSG's Amy Curl on piano and Doug Hamilton on upright bass. A few narrative and introspective folk songs bring depth to the project. Orange and Pink Prairie Sky distills the feeling of freedom on a country road trip, and has an interesting combination of pop and bluegrass textures. The dramatic Time Has No Mercy evokes America's move west. I was surprised to see Christmas songs on the album this early in the year. Fortunately, one of them grouses at the whole long season. If you feel differently, you might like the well-crafted, sentimental Christmas-and-Chanukah one that follows. Mike Wiegmann engineered Because We Can!, which he produced with Stephen Lee Rich. The production is inspired and true to the spirit of the artists' live performances. - The B Side - The monthly Newsletter of the Madison Songwriter's Group