Andy Schneider
Took the B Train
© 2003 Andy Schneider (625989403927)
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A marriage of 8-String jazz guitar and moody singer/songwriter New York. Like Charlie Hunter backing Norah Jones.
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New York - A dimly lit train station at 2:15 AM. Andy Schneider is heading back uptown from a downtown music venue. "This record is a bit of a milestone for me. I've been wanting to get back to making records simply for quite a while." An uptown A rounds the corner and enters the station.
A milestone it is. "Took the B Train" takes a dingy view through a train window at the comings and goings of a city at work and at rest. Edgy and unsettling, sweet and soothing, the record tugs the listener into dreamland. Schneider and Jerry Smith on drums, play songs that just as well could be bedtime tales for sleepy Gothamers.
"I thought the title said a lot about where I've been up to now. If the instructions say 'Take the A...', I'm going to take the B or C. What fun is it to do the predictable?"
Andy compares his latest work this way, "In the words of Robert Evans, 'Every success I've had and every failure I've had is because I said 'Yes' when I meant 'No'."
A recent transplant from Austin, Texas, Andy has come to find his musical home in Harlem. "Manhattan is the first place I've been that felt like home. The people and the music, always are familiar, but surprising."
"Everything is about simplifing right now. I'm simplifing my music, my guitar, my equipment, everything," says Andy. "Even though it looks like a handful, it really is more simple than the guitars I played before."
Those familiar with Andy's unique counter-point style know that his axe of choice until now has been a 1964 Vox converted into a baritone guitar. "The baritone was strung low, E to E. So many of the sounds I heard in my head just weren't possible on the baritone. This new guitar opens up worlds of possibilities. Every day I find a new avenue to explore."
Built by Ralph Novak of Novax Guitars, the Charlie Hunter model 8-string guitar is a jazzers dream. Two courses of strings, 3 bass and 5 guitar, each have their own set of Bartolini pickups with separate outputs. The separate outputs go to a bass and a guitar amp each. The setup lets Andy walk bass lines and hold down guitar parts or organ-esque chords, both with incredible tones.
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Refreshing twist on the solo 8 string guitar bag.
author: Jeffrey LindAndy grows with each cd. I really was not prepared for how great this one sounded. Andy's baritone work has always had such a warm tone, but Andy has always had a good sense of melodic development and harmonic adventure. This cd is no exception, except it also includes his new Ralph Novak guitar. The outside vocal harmonies against the walking bass on With Fishes would break a lesser soul, but not Andy. Highly recommended.