Ana Egge Album Review:
The Universe Expands at 2005-04-17
River Under the Road had a song Made of Iron that went to the top of my personal top ten and is one of my all-time favorites. Ana Egge, the North Dakota girl, has become a breathtaking artist on this delightful set. Out Past the Lights brings together her strengths. Anas voice has a wistful quality that always makes her seem like she is mining the depths of emotion. Straight to My Head is one of the more rock-oriented tracks with Anas edgy electric lead and her vocal filled with desire and longing, All you need is love tonight; I wanna be as soft as the air, disappear before your eyes and wake up with you in your bed. Wedding Dress is a great folk ballad that relates the story of a couple and how their lives are impacted by marriage. Egge takes routine details of her characters daily life and poetically weaves them into powerful emotional images, Anne Marie lives in Kansas City; shes a Christian; she loves living there; She says, Im flying back to Brooklyn, rolls her eyes and fixes her hair, cleans houses with her Mom for work, goes to school and dreams of dirt. Sailor has an exquisite melody with Egges simple acoustic guitar and vocals communicating great longing, Some questions are only to keep us thinking, the universe expands and we keep blinking. Ways of Waiting is another exquisite strong track where Egge sings as if an observer watching a performer, These ways of waiting, now theyre rushing out, I wont make a sound til I see your face and say your name out loud; My imagination made me your girl, such a fascination with your world. All of the tracks on this set are good from the acoustic Birds to the rocky Closer to the Motor. Ana Egge continues her artistic journey on this CD with incredible results. Bravo!


Ana Egge Album Editorial:
I want to be soft as the air / and disappear before your eyes. With this elusive image Ana Egge captures the intoxicating evanescent spark of passion in Straight To My Head the first single from her stunning release IOut Past the Lights. The CD marks the end of Anas own vanishing act of sorts. With three breathtaking albums under her belt and having shared spotlights opening shows for Shawn Colvin Richard Thompson Jimmie Dale Gilmore Jane Siberry George Jones and more Ana opted for a low profile. Known for building her own guitar Ana turned to building herself a house in the New Mexico desert outside of Silver City. Then leaving her beloved white truck and motorcycle behind she pulled up stakes for the relative anonymity of Brooklyn. Over the next three years Ana played elite New York clubs while impressing a dazzling array of musicians. Among them was IOut Past the Lights co-producer and bassist Jason Mercer for years the anchor of Ani Difrancos band. p Together Egge and Mercer have crafted a rare gem. The IBoston Globe writes [Now age 28] Egge has the voice of a woman at least twice her age--and thats intended as a compliment. Her smoky powerful pipes are perfectly suited to her country/bluesy songs about unrequited love. Kate Messer of the IAustin Chronicle joins the chorus of praise for Anas musical gifts: ..[her] sensual voice and tenderly baffling guitar work... p With IOut Past the Lights Ana Egge shatters the typical folky singer-songwriter mold with a collection of mesmerizing songs that as in the opening track Apple Tree embark upon a journey through dreams filled with lush orchards exhilarating backroad motorcycle rides virgin snowfalls shotgun weddings deserted cityscapes desperate rural hollows starry seas and the enduring icons of New York--the City of Liberty.

Ana Egge Album Review:
One hit wonder...I hope not. at 2000-04-24
I have been waiting for a new release from Ana Egge since I fell in love with River Under the Road two years ago. I still listen to that first album a lot and had great expectations for this new release. But, Im sorry to report this was a real disappointment. First, why are five of the 12 songs repeats from River Under the Road? This new album was recorded at her concerts with no backup. They sound so much better on the studio produced first album. Her voice comes off as flat and the tempo is very slow. A friend walked in when I had it on and thought there was something wrong with my CD player. It even seemed to me that she forgot some lines in one of the older songs. And, why do performers think we want to listen to clapping from the audience or conversation during the performance? I really hope she can pull it together in future releases. The first one is so good.
Ana Egge Album Review:
Excellent cd! Her best so far at 2000-11-27
This collection including several live tracks is outstanding in every way. The cd is great all the way through, but her cover of Ferrons Aint Life a Brook is the best I have ever heard. Buy this cd if you are a singer/songwriter/folk fan. It will not disappoint!
Ana Egge Album Review:
Excellent cd! Her best so far at 2000-11-27
This collection including several live tracks is outstanding in every way. The cd is great all the way through, but her cover of Ferrons Aint Life a Brook is the best I have ever heard. Buy this cd if you are a singer/songwriter/folk fan. It will not disappoint!
Ana Egge Album Review:
Excellent cd! Her best so far at 2000-11-27
This collection including several live tracks is outstanding in every way. The cd is great all the way through, but her cover of Ferrons Aint Life a Brook is the best I have ever heard. Buy this cd if you are a singer/songwriter/folk fan. It will not disappoint!


Ana Egge Album Editorial:
Americana/Folk/Ana Egge

Ana Egge Album Review:
If Shes Only 20 now...? at 1999-01-16
Texas is home to more great songwriters than anywhere in the US, so I am predisposed to giving a new name from that state a positive listen. And Ana Egge did not disappoint me.Her voice has a warmth and depth you would expect in someone more mature, and her writing is simple and clear. You wont find heavy-handed poetry or maudlin self-indulged musings, just great straight-ahead story telling. The title track, River Under the Road, is a beautiful and quietly meaningful tune. There is a vague resemblance to Gillian Welch on several tracks, but with a more contemporary treatment.The arrangements and production are tasteful and appropriate for the material. My only criticism, (and in light of the material, a small one!) is that Anas voice is too deep in the mix and you lose lyrics. This is a common problem with indie recordings, but certainly not much of a reason to bypass this record. It is a stunner, and this young woman should have a long and healthy career ahead of her.
Ana Egge Album Review:
Her voice woke me out of a deep sleep. at 1998-08-23
My clock radio goes off at 5 am. A few days ago i was listening to NPR when they aired a profile of Ana Egge. Her voice was so beautiful that it woke me out of a sound sleep. Unfortunately it wasnt soon enough to catch her name. After searching all over the Web I tracked down this CD. It was well worth the effort. She has a lovely voice. While I dont usually listen to country music, this album is fresh and lively and goes beyond the usual cliches of country lyrics and music. Thanks NPR!
Ana Egge Album Review:
This album is seriously great. at 1999-04-27
If you like Shawn Colvin, Lyle Lovett, Gillian Welch, et al, you will love Ana! Buy her cd, she is really a wonderful singer/songwriter. Shes real country, which is laid back, no that country pop nonsense, and not held down by labels.
Ana Egge Album Review:
Independent music at its best. at 1999-03-14
I had never heard of Ana Egge before I saw her as the opening act for Shawn Colvin in April 1998. This was at a club called Bogarts in Cincinnati, OH. She came out onto the stage with no accompaniment, just a guitar she had made herself. As she sang her songs, I was amazed. She has a beautiful voice, and sings songs perfectly suited to herself. After the show I stopped by the vendors stand to buy the only Ana Egge CD available, River Under the Road. I cant count the number of times that Ive listened to it since then. Some of the stand out songs from the CD (and her performance) are Talco Girl, Fierro, and Fairest Of Them All. If you enjoy singer/songwriters like Shawn Colvin, Lucinda Williams, and Mary-Chapin Carpenter, then Ana Egge is an artist that you will come to love. Highly reccommended!
Ana Egge Album Review:
Dakota Lady at 2002-12-12
Ana Egges River Under the Road is one of those obscure CDs that youll be glad you took the time to find. Her soft country-folk mix is moving and emotional. Dave Sanger, Asleep at the Wheels drummer, has done excellent production work, bringing out her vocal talents without overpowering them. The title track is a great midtempo country tune. Fairest of Them All is an extremely strong track that pulses with energy, In the lamplight of a motel room she writes home to the moon, say goodnight to my old bedroom, Ill be home to visit someday soon. Another plum is the soft Bless Me Mother, a soft lament, It shouldnt hurt so to love like this, its not your face, its your voice I miss. Jason Roberts fiddle turns Empty Hands into a treat. Pedal steel is mixed heavy on The Bramble and the Rose. Soft acoustic guitar backs the pretty Souls Out Sailing, I was waiting for tomorrow in the midnight rain, your velvet voice filled the night. Born in Saskatchewan and raised in Ambrose, North Dakota, Ana sings Dakota about the little town of 50 from where she came. Another favorite of mine is Made of Iron, as emotionally powerful as it is catchy, sung from a male point of view, Youre the preachers daughter all dressed in white; I want to take you dancing, twirl around the world holding me tight. Mind Over Matter is a good track whose lyrics speak of emotional pain while the music is upbeat and joyful. Fierro is a ballad about a little town in New Mexico. The CD concludes with Anas reading of Talco Girl about a Dallas motel room. This CD has variety from the rocking toe tappers, to country weepers, to the folky melodies. U snooze U lose with this great CD!


Ana Egge Album Editorial:
The debut from this New Mexican singer-songwriter blends a country twang with a folkies lyrical weight. Buttressed by Austins heavyweight musical community and Dave Sangers crisp production Egge is free to roam through the fields of her New Mexico home with a whispering crystalline voice reminiscent of her inspiration Shawn Colvin. For whatever reason Egge seems to thrive in the grittier rootsier settings: The title track (co-written with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and blues bassist Sarah Brown) offers classic Austin guitar crunch; Empty Hands rolls atop Danny Barness banjo; Barbara Keiths The Bramble and the Rose features pedal-steel tinges from Lucky Oceans; Made of Iron has Paul Glasses delicate mandolin; and Steve Jamess exquisite Talco Girl includes Mississippi John-like fingerpicking. All the while Egges melodic gift adds an infectious pop shine. Marc Greilsamer