Missy Andersen

In the Moment
Main Squeeze Records

Missy Andersen has released a delicious sophomore recording with In The Moment. Based in San Diego, by way of Detroit and New York, she has built a reputation that is well deserved for her soulful and powerful voice that has been featured in the past working with Earl Thomas and backing at times people like Ray Charles, Cissy Houston and BB King.

A truly exciting band including husband Heine Andersen on guitar, Hammond master Ben Moore, and one of California’s premier rhythm section in drummer Marty Dodson and Bill Stuve on bass. The sound also receives a lot of power from the horns of Robbie Smith on trumpet and saxmen Gerald Nolan and Bob Mathes. Other guests of note are James Harman blowing harp on “Better Or Worse,” Nathan James on guitar for a couple tracks and pianist Sue Palmer who also wrote the number “Ladies Shoes.”

The album bursts out of the gates with the lively “Rent Party” which sets the jumping theme for the disc. Missy tells us all that she is proficient as a “Night Stalker,” able to catch a cheating man. There are eleven tracks on this superb disc including eight originals, five that Missy co-penned with Heine. The remaining three offer exceptional takes on Snooks Eaglin’s “I’ve Been Walkin’” with Sue Palmer’s burning keyboards, Benny Clark’s aforementioned “Rent Party” and “Same Things Make You Laugh Will Make You Cry” from Sly & The Family Stone’s repertoire comes across with that perfect sense of soul groove. Tracks like “Reach Out” and “More Than Enough” also bring about that feeling of classic 60s/70s soul.

Missy Andersen is a natural talent, full of passion in her singing and a seeming ease with her presentation. This is an artist to keep a watch on. She certainly has a winning disc with In The Moment that should be a cross-over delight for fans of blues, soul and jazz.

Total Time: 50:17

Rent Party / Whole Lotta Nuthin’ / Night Stalker / More Than Enough / Better Or Worse / No Regrets / Same Things Make You Laugh Will Make You Cry / Reach Out / Ladies Shoes / Hey Now / I’ve Been Walkin’