Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - New singers launch careers every year. Most of them vanish from the spotlight at the end of their inaugural and many are never heard of again.?

Such will not be the fate of Theresa Andersson, one of those impossibly "cute" performers who quickly demonstrate singing chops that have impressed music lovers who have acquired her latest CD, the delightful and delicious "Shine" (Basin Street Records). The pretty blonde, born in Sweden, now makes her home in the United States and all this Spring has been on tour, introducing herself to increasing crowds during a long tour that probably has again demonstrated the sometimes horrors of a long and exhausting series of one-nighters.

But when this music writer caught up with Ms. Andersson, through the magic of Alexander Graham Bell's famous invention a few days ago, the compact beauty sounded as perky as someone just launching her travels across the country, instead of heading toward the end of a long, long list of clubs throughout most of the U.S. She sounded as perky and calm as a breezy day in late spring, which was exactly what was happening.

Her goals over the next five years? "I am hoping for a growth spurt with this album. I wanted to grow beyond New Orleans," which is the home of her label, Basin Street, run by the knowledgeable and savvy Mark Samuels, one of the nice guys in this weird music business. To Andersson, her immediate goal is "to sell a lot of records," which of course would help her become a "known performer and a household name."

Among those CD buyers who have paid for a copy of "Shine," the assumption will be made that the title is her first splash into the national swimming pool. But she's been around for awhile, though never having reached the amount of success and great reviews that "Shine" has achieved. With any luck, Andersson's next album should increase her reputation and perhaps win her some necessary air play.

She has been pleased by the recognition already cooking. "You'd be surprised how often I meet people who have "Shine"í and who say how much they like it. It's getting a good reception and it helps promote my name and voice."

Asked to describe herself, she calls her music "rock/pop. The unconventional thing is that I play the violin and when people see it, they assume that I'm a country singer. I try to incorporate the fiddle." She tries to incorporate the violin as an integral part of the rock/pop style, avoiding comparison with a country music style. "If you start singling out the violin too much, that could be a mistake. I want people to pick up this album and say, 'Wow, I can really relate to that.' "

"Shine" opens with a smash, the booming drums and the music pounding in a rhythm that cries out to be recognized as the work of a rocker who knows how to pull in the pop music crowd as well. While less than three minutes, the opening "Connected" sets the standard for an album that continues to keep toes tapping and fingers snapping. Andersson sings with a fury that does justice to any rocker you might want to name, while having the ability to sail along in a smooth pop manner as well. Here's a young lady who not only looks great, but seems destined to march smartly toward pop/rock achievements that could see her one of those fabled "household names" before long.

Although she has written several songs for "Shine," she has been writing for only about four years. Most of the songs that carry her name include a collaborator, although two of the tunes, "Lie to Me" and "Don't Disturb" are single efforts that show off her prowess with lyrics. The former contains these intriguing lines,

"Twist your tongue like the kudzu vine
Thereís snakes in the grass and we're out of time
Run for refuge turn to the trees
Eat them apples and do as you please."

She finds writing takes time. "I go in spurts, I go in waves. I have to take time to find inspiration and soak up some new material." She likes to soak up various artists, " ... such as Bob Dylan and Patti Smith." Andersson says although their styles are different, she finds inspiration in Smithís work. "It frees me up." Andersson also is into reading Shakespeare while continuing the tour.

She's excited over being one of four singers mentioned in a cover article in this month's issue of The Relics magazine. These ladies include Edie Brickell, Melanie, Patti Smith and Andersson. She loved the list, which The Relics called "four ladies who jam."

When listening, Andersson loves jazz and classical music. "Thereís a new group from Australia called The Dirty Three which creates interesting sounds."

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