Album Notes

"a strong but nuanced sense of pulse and a gift for lovely melodies" - Guitar Player Magazine

Andy Sheppard is a protégé of Don Ross and Pierre Bensusan, two of the best steel-string players in the world.

"a tremendous guitarist" - Matt Galloway - Here And Now - CBC Toronto.

He combines influences from around the world, all performed with a remarkable guitar technique. The result is a vibrant musical palette, with songs that range from blistering show-stoppers, to the most delicate and beautiful melodies from exotic places and cultures.

“andy throws a party everytime he picks up his guitar”– Stephanie Hodnett, Parlo.com - New York.

Andy is not just a great guitarist and songwriter, but he’s also a storyteller. He brings tales of musical adventure to every show - from launching rockets in South East Asia, to dodging bandits in North Africa, to living through earthquakes in the South Pacific.

"it's as if the Central American influences of Bruce Cockburn met the drums of the South Sea islands" - Peter Bowman - Dundas Review

In January 2006, Andy released his third album. The new CD brings together many of the styles he has encountered in his musical travels. Songs inspired by the folk music of Appalachia, traditional Samba in Brazil, the Palm Wine guitar music of Sierra Leone, the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Haiti, and the unstoppable rhythms of Zimbabwe.

“a true instrumental virtuoso” - Jeff Robson – UMFM Radio - Winnipeg

Borealis Records has included music from Andy’s new album on the third volume of their successful Six Strings North of the Border compilation. Andy joins the ranks of great Canadian guitarists such as Kevin Breit, Harry Manx, and Alpha Ya Ya Diallo on this edition in the series. Past compilations have featured Bruce Cockburn, Don Ross, Colin Linden, and Stephen Fearing. Six Strings North of the Border, vol. 3 was released internationally in February 2006. Andy's song 'Dragonfly Helicopter has gone on to become one of the top downloads from the album on iTunes.

"this is fine playing... if andy comes to your town, watch for him" - Margaret Isaacs - CBC Radio, Halifax

Andy has performed at intimate clubs in tiny rural communities, and major venues and festivals in Canada’s biggest cities. Andy will be on tour in Europe this summer, and competeing in the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas in Fall 2007.

Websites:

www.andysheppard.com
www.cdbaby.com/sheppard3
www.myspace.com/andysheppard2