Music
Press
"Amanda Walker's new self-titled CD on the local Rabadash Records is an intimate, bewitching collection of original songs that feature Walker's dramatic voice alone with her piano" -Keith Spera - The Times Picayune.
"From the mold of Anna Nalick and Alanis Morrissette comes the debut cd from Amanda Walker, a collection of more than a dozen heartfelt tracks. With the simplicity of the instrumentation, which consists of merely piano and vocals, one might falsely presume that this offering lacks variety. Like all talented singer/ songwriters of the genre, Walker leaves the door to her heart ajar and lets her listeners peer inside, exposing her flaws, joys, inspirations, and heartaches. The diversity, therefore, comes from the multiplicity of perspectives through which we view her existance through these engaging vignettes. This promising debut gives the impression of a young artist from a small Missouri town with her eyes open wide to a world of exploration, basking in the wonder of it all and absorbing each and every one of life's distinctive episodes." - Craig Cortello - Where Y'at Magazine
"This debut album of original songs by songwriter/performer Amanda Walker has a quality of innocence, of diary writing put to music. Her voice is soft and sweet as she journeys through emotional landscapes filled with big dreams, lessons learned from love and growing pains. Walker has good intentions and the music holds a pretty promise that she sincerely keeps song after song." - Ruby Masters - OffBeat Magazine
Discography
Amanda Walker (LP) Rabadash Records (2006)
Photos
Bio
Rabadash Records artist AMANDA WALKER is blazing an inspired new trail on the New Orleans scene. With her sensuous, bluesy vocals, classically trained piano chops and warm, intelligent, pop-structured originals. She is emerging as a unique contemporary musical voice. Her talents have put her onstage and in the studio alongside many of the Crescent City's finest, including the legendary "Creole Beethoven", arranger/producer Wardell Quezerque (who's work includes classic recordings with Dr. John, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Aaron Neville, B.B. King, Willie Nelson and countless others). Quezerque not only requested Amanda's silky vocals on his current recording project, he invited her to re-cut her song "Believe" with the full compliment of his world-class band and Grammy-winning arranging skills. Other luminaries who have employed Amanda's musical abilities include Anders Osborne, Dash Rip Rock, Fred LeBlanc, Big Daddy O, John Autin, Jimmy Robinson, Marc Stone, West Bank Mike, and Big Blue Marble. Her classic good looks merged with her piano technique to land her a role in the upcoming feature film "The Deadline", doubling and providing piano training for "American Beauty" and "Ghost World" star Thora Birch.
Born into a musical household in rural Dexter, MO, Amanda was singing and playing piano by the time she could walk. Her mother was a professional pianist and music instructor, and the constant exposure to music and musical education imbued Amanda with prodigious instrumental and vocal skills, as well as an immaculate ear. She began performing classical piano recitals at festivals by age 10. She continued to perform throughout high school, but put music aside when she entered college to make time for her successful career as an NCAA tennis player. She resumed performing professionally while living in New Orleans and attending Tulane Law School. Her work at French Quarter night spots quickly earned her the respect and recognition of other musicians and landed her a recording deal with Rabadash Records. Many of the songs from her all-original debut CD have received airplay in a variety of markets worldwide. Her song "Paul McCartney" was chosen for repeated spins by the BBC on McCartney's most recent birthday.
In addition to her musical career, Amanda is now practicing law in New Orleans, after having passed both the Missouri and Louisiana bar exams earlier this year. She is in private practice serving the local music community as well as clerking for a juvenile court judge. Amanda can be seen at clubs and festivals around the New Orleans area performing as a solo, with her own acoustic band or as an accompanist for artists in a multitude of styles.
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