Thea Ennen and The Algorhythms' band members: Thea Ennen, Brad Bealka, John Lindell, Aaron Barnell, Jim Price, and Eric Heywood. Guest musicians included Willie Murphy, Gordie Knutson, Gordy Johnson, John Everson, Julie Everson, Mark Everson, Razz Russell, and David Neibuhr. The Algorhythms released three CDs between 1994 and 1998. Thea Ennen released two solo albums since 2000 (available at cdbaby.com) which also feature some Algorhythm members, as well as Dave Peterson, Lisa Kane, Butch Thompson, Peter Phippen, Robert Samorotto, and Brenda Notch.
Influences
Strong influences by American and British roots music - Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Donovan, Marianne Faithful, Karla Bonoff, Sandy Denny, Ferron, Jethro Tull, Edwin Hawkins Singers, Al Greene, Neil Young, Buck Owens, The Stylistics, Cat Stevens, John Prine, Joan Armatrading...
Sounds Like
Often compared to Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Janis Ian. Some comparisons to Marianne Faithfull, Jennifer Warnes...
Critics write: "...Ennen's folky vocals are consistently stunning...this is prime songwriting executed with style." College Music Journal (CMJ)
"...a heady brew that takes aim straight at the human soul." Atlantic City Press
"...bundled together with a lyrical perspective sharp enough to cut...Ennen packs alot of conceptual punch into her emotionally threadbare sagas." Dirty Linen Magazine
"...Ennen manages to bring her voice to a dull roar and still pass it off as a whisper - the skill is a stunning one, especially when applied to lyrical dreamscapes...some of the most inventive folk-rock around." Minneapolis Star and Tribune
"...darkly profound songs." St. Paul Pioneer Press
"One might superficially classify Thea's music as countryfolk, but that would be selling her far too short. She is simply a wonderful songstress, with a penchant for creating music that is multi-textured, melodically rich and lyrically adept." Album Network
Thea Ennen has released five albums - The first three were recorded with the band, Thea Ennen and The Algorhythms, between 1994 -1998. "All Aboard" (mostly recorded at Studio M in St. Paul), won a Minnesota Music Award for Best Folk. Members were: songwriter Thea Ennen -piano, dulcimer and vocals, Brad Bealka - bass and guitars, John Lindell - guitars, banjo, Hammond B3, and harmonica, Eric Heywood - pedal steel and guitars, Aaron Barnell - drums and percussion, and Jim Price - violin and mandolin. Guest musicians included: Dan Newton -accordion, Willie Murphy -bass, Razz Russell -violin, Gordy Johnson -bass, Gordie Knutson - drums, David Niebuhr - congas, and Julie, Mark, and John Everson - vocal harmony. "Hold Back the Sun" was the second release by the band - recorded at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, MN, followed by "Maintenance Angels" - also recorded at Pachyderm.
After the Algorhythms, Thea released two albums, "Still Life" and "Flowers of Spring", both of which feature guest appearances by some of the original Algorhythms as well as other Minneapolis musicians. Butch Thompson (Prairie Home Companion) plays clarinet on two songs on Flowers of Spring which was recorded at Studio M in St. Paul. Dave Peterson (Artesian Dreams) engineered Still Life at Perfect House Studios in River Falls, WI and added guitars, mandolin and viola. Julie Everson, Lisa Kane and Brenda Notch are featured on harmony, Peter Phippen on flute, Robert Samorotto on sax and clarinet.
Currently, Thea is working with Adrienne Schwartz on a project that features stong two-part harmony and simple arrangements of piano and violin. The album is scheduled for release in early 2008.
Hey Thea, thanks so much for the chicken video. i watched it with my mom and we both really liked it. one of these days i WILL be a chicken caretaker. all the best, Jeff
what can we say that charlie didn't already? it's great to see you again, if you can make it the 16th it would be great! keep it simple and do what you love, is there any other way? love you grrrl!
hey thea, thanx alot! been way too long, now maybe i can find a show or two of yours. god! it's good to see you're still playing. hey redpepper is going to be playing a private party this month on the 16, if you're free it'd be great to see you.
Glad to hear that you're working on a project with kids at the moment. What a great experience for them. I'm hoping to catch one of your upcoming shows.
