New CD 'Quiet Blue' Now Available from CdBaby
www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristinaolsen5
Finally Kristina has released her long-awaited blues album - Acoustic blues with a bawdy storyline edge. Laced with slide guitar, mandolin, drums and Kristina's raw velvet voice, recorded 'live in-studio' in Australia.
Kristina Olsen is one of the most entertaining and compelling performers on the international folk circuit.
A fine instrumentalist (acoustic guitar, steel-body slide guitar, saxophone, concertina and piano) as well as a powerful songwriter with a big bluesy voice, Kristina has audiences around the world coming back for more.
Her mix of strong songs in the troubadour tradition, some jazz-inspired sounds and powerful bottleneck blues (as well as her hilarious storytelling) makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage and on disc.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Asbury during the 1960's, Kristina's approach to music and life was formed by that environment of vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical influences.
She now calls Venice Beach, Los Angeles home but rarely sees it from touring ten months a year!
It was on one of those tours that she met Peter Grayling, a cellist from Western Australia and a new musical alliance was formed.
In March 1998 'Duet' was released in Australia, their first duo recording.
In 1999 the pair released 'Truth of a Woman' and in Feb 2002 a live cd 'All Over Down Under' (recorded in Australia - as you might have guessed from the title!) with the addition of Melbourne based accordian player George Butrumlis, In Your Darkened Room in 2004 and in 2005 a Live DVD. and has just released 'Quiet Blue' (Dec 2008).
Before 1999 Kristina had released four critically acclaimed CDs on the Philo/Rounder label.
Fairport Convention recorded her song 'Dangerous' on their '97 release, 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?' and she performed at the Cropredy Festival and the Sidmouth Festival in summer '97.
She performed on Michelle Shocked's album 'Short Sharp Shocked' and also won the Kerrville Songwriting award with her song for battered women 'I'm Keeping This Life of Mine'.
Like many modern artists, Kristina isn't easily pigeonholed. What can't be denied though is her honest enthusiasm for her craft.
"I love writing songs, but my favorite songs don't seem to come from me, they seem to come through me, like maybe I am the channel for that song - It is an absolutely euphoric feeling when it happens," Kristina stated in an interview with 'The Performing Songwriter'.
"I couldn't say what I was feeling so I had to write songs to keep from exploding, there was no choice in the matter, I had to write."
Kristina's Website Recordings Page
Kristina's music is available as Mp3's through all the major download sites including iTunes , Napster and Payplay
Cd's can be ordered in Record stores worldwide via Super D Distribution, from CdBaby (also as mp3 'album' now from CdBaby) or Burke's Music (Australia)
(Footage from recent McCabes concert below - There are 20 Kristina videos on Youtube )
It would be impossible for anyone with blood in their veins not to empathise with her… full-
throated voice and crisp guitar. John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
Olsen rocked the audience with her traditional blues style laced with modern lyrics. “She’s
original and she’s modern. She was the best performer here,†said one of the vendors who
had been listening to the blues for two days. Kendra Milligan, Sun News, New Mexico
Olsen’s singing is as powerful as it is delicate, forceful as it is tender, and she asks a lot of
herself, instrumentally, vocally, and emotionally. The audience loved it, demanding that Olsen
return to the stage for three encores. Patrick Shepherd, The Press, Christchurch, NZ
"A joy to watch and hear" Maddy Prior
"Kristina once seen and heard is not easily forgotten.
Her skills in writing and performance along with the charm of her musical personality have always ensured this - miss her and miss out" Simon Nicol, Fairport Convention
"A magnificent singer who talks about rude things!!" Les Barker
"Kristina changed my life" Jackie Hanham, workshop participant
"Kristina Olsen not only reduces grown men to quivering wrecks with her songs, she also knits socks between sets... That's talent for you" Caz Graham
To Contact Kristina email [email protected]
