New York City-based artist Andy Scott has turned down the amps of his previous work as “Goat” and set out on an organic and bluesy swing-tinged palate of warm storytelling on his new album, Don’t Tempt Fate, set for an exclusive iTunes release, December 16th, 2008, in stores on January 12, 2009.
With his creative leanings succinctly in place, having achieved commercial success with the feel-good hit “Great Life,” and albums Twisted Heart and All of My Friends, Andy found himself exploring a majestic jazz- and blues-inspired pop sound. After a couple of stints opening for long-time friend, jazz vocalist Madeleine Peyroux, Andy honed his smooth swagger and started writing and recording Don’t Tempt Fate. Tried as he may, Andy couldn’t convince Madeleine to produce the record, so he stepped in to perfect the effort himself, while also enlisting the help of Grammy awarding-winning engineer Dave Darlington and Madeleine did contribute vocals, guitar, and ukulele to several tracks.
Additional musicians such as keyboardist Sam Yahel, legendary drummer Victor Lewis, guitarist Jon Herington, acoustic guitar players Ben Butler and Ross Traut, and internationally-acclaimed bassist Noriko Ueda perform on Don't Tempt Fate. “Who Doesn’t Call,” the albums first animated music video features Andy singing and playing guitar live in the studio.
Madeleine, whose credits include the chart-topping effort Careless Love (2004) and the critically-acclaimed Half the Perfect World (2006), lends her signature vocals to “Don’t Tempt Fate,” a jaunty album opener featuring Andy’s unruffled sense of cool. As Andy says, “Thank goodness for temptation, it keeps things moving!”
From the sunny highlights of “Rainy Day” and “Out of the Blue” to the sweeping sentimental tones of “Lost but Not Forgotten,” Andy’s pristine lyrical imagery is so finely tuned; you believe his aim is true in capturing what it is we’re all thinking about. A sun-kissed tub-thumping tribute cues “Fishin’,” to Andy’s fly-fishing days with his father, baseball great Al Rosen.
In addition to issuing Don’t Tempt Fate, many of Andy’s songs have received prominent placements in television (“CSI,” “Aliens in America, “Reaper” “Standoff,” and “Wildfire”) and film (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Super Cop, Return to Sleepaway Camp, Dinner Rush, Waltzing Anna, Approaching Union Square). His version of the Malvina Reynolds folk classic, “Little Boxes,” has been used as a ringtone for the Showtime series hit, “Weeds.”
Opening slot for Madeleine Peyroux at the sold-out 1800 capacity Bass Hall: “Nicely setting the mood was Andy, who played jazz piano with the intense focus of Peanuts' Schroeder...his calming vocals are like a human version of a muted trumpet. The only thing that could enhance this kind of laid-back, cozy performance is for the audience to sit at tables and swirl some kind of smooth liquor around rocks.”
- Fort Worth Star Telegram
Check out Andy's video for "Who Doesn't Call". Almost 200,000 plays on YouTube!
Joe’s Pub concert will be performed by: Andy Scott (vocals, piano, guitar), Noriko Ueda (bass), Ben Butler (guitar), Gary Seligson (drums), Jon Herington (guitar), & Greg Skaff (guitar)
“a delightful, relaxed groovy affair of original jazz- and blues-influenced tunes purveyed by musicians comfortable in both modes, with nice acoustic touches dotting the otherwise-electric ambiance. Scott offers a slight bluesy swagger and drawl in his vocal style--Mac Rebbenack and Randy Newman are the most obvious influences here--every bit as natural as his guitar and keyboard playing is fluid. The attitude is generally upbeat, with potential heartbreakers rendered from the standpoint of a warm afterglow memory of a good, and gone, romance…” -The Blue Grass Special
PRESS QUOTES: “... an ultra-smooth, classically tuneful, Rat Pack-esque professional balladeer.” - Washington Post Express
“An excellent pianist… vocals range from celebratory to animated, occasionally sentimental, but always intense and demonstrative.” - Nashville City Paper
“…clever songwriting and quirky grooves highlight the music of this New York performer...” - Chicago Sun-Times
“He has a great ear for clever melody, and his voice has just enough grit in it to make it interesting.” - Up Against the Wall
With amps turned down from previous works as “Goat” (Great Life and Two sides to Love) now in comes Andy Scott with a majestic jazz and blues-inspired pop sound
