Love Goes Onby Anonymous

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October 07, 2003: Total Playing Time - 51:20 -- Playboy Magazine calls Compass Records "Nashville's hippest alternative label." Andrea Zonn lays down some great acoustic country music that provides an excellent showcase for her talents as a vocalist and violinist. She has recorded and toured with the likes of Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Pam Tillis, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Allison Krauss and James Taylor. Zonn has been a member of Gill's touring band since 1990. "Love Goes On" is sure to launch her career as a soloist and star in her own right. Now's the time to put Andrea Zonn on your musical map. Raised in a family of accomplished musicians, Zonn's father was a music professor at the University of Illinois, a clarinetist and jazz pianist. Andrea's mother is a world-class oboist and pianist, and her brother plays bass. She began studying classical violin at age five, took up bluegrass fiddling at age ten, then moved to Nashville at age 16. Along the way, she befriended Alison Krauss, who remains a close friend and mentor today. Zonn's perceptiveness, combined with her vocal and instrumental elegance, allow her to shine. She sings with a pure, unpretentious voice that is very easy to listen to and enjoy. The music is laid back, at times almost surreal. Although some may find it a bit subdued and restrained at times, Andrea's vocals are well suited to the reflective messages she presents. She can also kick it into high gear on more uptempo numbers like the Celtic-influenced "Heads Up for the Wrecking Ball" and Crowded House's popish "Weather With You." Her choice of material comes from contemporary compositions of Karla Bonoff, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Marcus Hummon, Paul Brady, Neil Finn, Leslie Satcher, Craig Carothers, Don Poythress, Chapin Hartford, Harry Stinson and others. "If He's Ever Near" was a hit for singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, and Zonn's interpretation of the song is sung with a quiet, contemplative gusto, accentuated by Jerry Douglas' hot dobro fills. Zonn's multitude of strings (fiddle, violins, viola, chin cello) impart classical leanings to some of the songs like "Galilee Road." Vince Gill sings harmony on "In My Own Backyard," and the duo really carries this song. The album slightly suffers when too many slower-tempo'ed numbers are programmed back to back. Fortunately, "New Night Dawning" and "Welcome the Rain," provide some pick-me-ups at tracks 7 and 9. Nevertheless, this album is a fine patchwork of country, folk, Celtic and classical influences that will please you the most on a rainy day when a pensive mood calls for relaxed listening. Her rendition of the album's 5-minute title cut and closer, from Paul Brady, is best described as hauntingly and seductively beautiful. Besides Vince Gill and Jerry Douglas, Zonn's project features able contributions from such well-known artists as Alison Krauss, Amy Grant, Tim O'Brien, Alison Brown, Jon Randall Stewart, Jeff White and many other fine Nashville musicians. Zonn exudes confidence as she takes us on an ethereal musical journey through life, love, inspiration, joy and bliss. Despite its subtle nature, "Love Goes On" is making some noise in musical circles, and her more uptempo and rousing numbers are those attracting the most attention from the radio dee-jays. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)