Amy Hart

"Amy Hart can really sing. A Native Chicagoan based in Nashville, she wends her way thru melodic blues rock originals that are sunnier than one might expect from someone whose life was upended by the Gulf Coast oil rig calamity.This trouper picks herself up dusts herself off and keeps moving on ,"Put Me Back" and "Be That Way". Kittenish and ironic, Hart has her entertainment needle at full throttle on the title track..." Frank John-Hadley, Downbeat Magazine - July 2012. - DownBeat Magazine July Issue 2012

NATIONAL CD REVIEWS-by Bob Silvestri
June 2012

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Amy Hart-Congratulations-

I just love when we get a disc from an artist we are not familiar with and they simply blow you away. Such is the case with the latest disc from Amy Hart titled Congratulations. This girl can flat out sing a song with a honey dipped voice that actually sings and doesn't try to overpower the song, the music or the lyrics. Recorded in Nashville Hart possess a deep sense of the blues that shines throughout the ten tracks on the disc. Highlights include "Put Me Back", "Even Country Gets the Blues", "When Love Comes To Call" and "Rich Ass Daddy". But it is the title cut "Congratulations" that really stands out. A hot bottom heavy blues thumper in which Hart proclaims "Congratulations you got the blues" all behind the Dobro playing of Gene Bush and the amazing lead guitar playing of Bob Britt. Hart also wrote or co-wrote the songs, co-produced the disc with bassist and husband Wally Hoffmann and added rhythm guitar to boot. Amy Hart's latest release Congratulations is a thoroughly entertaining disc. Go to www.amyhart.com to find out more.

? - http://www.bestofwny.com/entertainment/silvestri/

Amy Hart: Congratulations (Painted Rock Records)

This release returns Ms. Hart to her ‘blues’ sensibilities. Having grown up in Chicago and opened for the likes of Junior Wells and Koko Taylor her roots are strong and they are shown off very well here.

Opening with the title track ‘Congratulations’ we have a nice shuffle that at once introduces Ms. Harts’ voice and song writing talents. Dealing with bottom of the barrel life situations termed as hitting the jackpot, and shooting the moon which leads to the road to redemption by getting the blues.

Another interesting topic is ‘Put Me Back’ a rhythmic prayer to the Lord to Put Me Back together right this time. Penned as an every woman “dilemma, she is scattered on the carpet, sprinkled on the floor and other domestic situations. Kids are screaming, dog has up and died, baby’s started drinkin’ and when he does he likes to fight”. This is done to with a steady beat, that has a rock-a-billy meets the blues edge to it. Another fine display of her songwriting abilities and feel for the subject.

‘Rich Ass Daddy’ is a rockin’ statement that states outright that she needs a big fat rich ass daddy to take care of her and the young buck broke-assed punks should let her be. It harkens to a phrase my daddy once told me before passing, ‘it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich girl as it is with a poor girl, so choose wisely’. HAH ! A fun upbeat song that I can see becoming a theme of sorts for the women in the audiences as she tours.

This is a fine release of ten well-written with songs dressed up nicely and ready to be seen marching in the cotillion through the streets and clubs along Blues Street. Stop and give them a listen and get a feel for what goes on inside the heart and soul of Ms. Hart, and when you are through, offer her congratulations on a very tasty release.

Chefjimi Patricola Blues411.com 11/25/2011


- ChefJimi Patricola Blues 411

Amy Hart-PICK OF THE WEEK
Congratulations
Amy Hart hails from the Chicago area and got her start playing festival stages. Since then, she has been rocking everywhere from the Gulf Coast to Nashville. Landing a hit in the movie soundtrack for Girls Just Want To Have Fun, she has also worked with Tim Tobias and John Ryan (Styx, Doobie Bros.). Congratulations is her 2011 release.
“Congratulations” is the title track for this album and it is a worthy piece. Funky and full of energy, the picking of the guitar carries you right into a strong percussion element. An electric guitar wails and keeps pace with the drums and Hart’s bluesy vocals. This song has to be my favorite on the album. It has all the elements of a great rock and blues song. The bittersweet flavor of the vocals and the twang of a little country showing through now and again make this a song that goes beyond just one genre.
“Rich Ass Daddy” is a fun frolic filled with bold longings of the heart. Smokin guitar playing blazes across the stage with this one. The percussion and the guitar do a musical dance around each other, each vying for attention. Stoking the fire are Hart’s vocals, wishing for a “big fat rich ass daddy.” This song will make you laugh out loud and you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing around the living room. The guitar is what makes it hot and you can see in your mind a young woman scoping out some rich Texas billionaire to be her next sugar daddy. This song gave me a chuckle, but I loved the composition and the creative energy that spun out of it like a force of nature.
“”Be That Way” leads in with strong guitar playing that will make you pause and listen. The vocals Hart projects are elegant and more country than some of the pieces on this album. The lyrics are slow and thought provoking and have an almost melancholy quality to them. This piece has great harmony and is very compelling. Musically, it is well defined and the subtle balance between the softer multi-instrumentation is well done.
Amy Hart’s newest album Congratulations is a great example of a musician that can go from rock to blues to country without even trying. Hart’s vocals can be steamy and full of fun like in “Rich Ass Daddy” or turn your heart inside out with songs like “Be That Way.” Any way she spins it, Hart has the talent that will continue to take her places. If you like music that crosses musical genres and has a heart give this album a try.

Key Tracks- Rich Ass Daddy, Congratulations, Be That Way
Dana Wright-Muzikreviews.com Staff
November 23, 2011
©Muzikreviews.com - MuzikReviews.com

AMY HART

CONGRATULATIONS

PAINTED ROCK RECORDS PRR 2011

CONGRATULATIONS–GET READY–PUT ME BACK–EVEN COUNTRY GETS THE BLUES–GET THE GIRLS DANCING–WHEN LOVE COMES TO CALL–RICH ASS DADDY–BE THAT WAY–RIBCAGE–I’VE GOT A FRIEND


Amy Hart grew up in Chicago and was immersed the rich blues heritage of that town. She has a sweet-and-sassy way with a story, and has opened for Koko, Cotton, and Jr. Wells. Her latest set was recorded right here in Music City, and is entitled “Congratulations” and is ten tracks that pair her with some of the finest session cats anywhere, including Bob Britt, Wayne Killius, and Mike Rojas, to name a few.


These ten originals showcase her writing chops and that sweet vocal delivery that goes from breathy to brazen in one note. The leadoff title cut is a good example of her boldness, tellin’ a no-good, unemployed, bottom-of-the-barrel-of-luck lover, “Congratulations, you’ve got the blues!” A woman who’s reached the end of her rope seeks help to “Put Me Back together right this time,” and features some funky guitar work. And, cool slide and B-3 back Amy in her recipe for “a guaranteed good night,’ “Get The Girls Dancing.”


We had two favorites, too. Brush-stroked drums, muted piano and the hard-luck lyrics of a broken-down truck at 3 AM, right after love has gone straight to hell, is the theme of the torchy “Even Country Gets The Blues.” And, broke-ass punks need not apply as Amy needs “a big fat rich-ass daddy takin’ care of me,” because “money can’t buy love, but it’ll sho’ nuff buy the groceries!”


Amy Hart’s looks at life and love with a touch of attitude may remind some listeners of Lucinda Williams, and “Congratulations” is a well-crafted and very well-performed set!! Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society. - Nashville Blues Society

Chico news and Review


Amy Hart, Congratulations, Painted Rock Records



Amy Hart’s new album came in the mail on the same day I got five other CDs for review, and this was clearly the cream of that particular crop, a sassy set of blues, all ten tracks written and sung by Ms. Hart in richly distinctive style. I just knew I was in good hands from the opening track—“Congratulations”—which kicks off the album with some cagey lyrics and great guitar licks by Bob Britt who puts in fills between the choruses like a master mason laying brick.


Amy Hart is not famous, and that’s just not fair. With this review, I’ve got a pretty good shot at bringing Amy Hart to your attention for the first time. She used to gig around Lake Tahoe a decade or so ago, and she had a previous album that didn’t get much attention. To the best of my knowledge, she’s never played Chico but, with this new album, it’s entirely possible she’s going to get better known right quick, here, there, and everywhere.


For those of us who like the blues (with a little country flavoring) there’s not much here that’s not to like. Her voice has a quality all its own, and she’s got a sure bead on the blues sensibility. When she sings about her hopes of finding a “Rich Ass Daddy,” she’s just pure-dee attitude, but she shows a sweet side on the closing track, “I’ve Got a Friend.” For Congratulations, she deserves congratulations.


--Jaime O'Neill

- Chico News and Reveiw