Album Notes

Tahni - Woman with Guitar

Born and raised in Hollywood, California, Tahni Handal began playing piano at the age of eight, switching to guitar after being smacked with a book by her hot-headed piano instructor. From the beginning, Motown, the Beatles and early R&B records had an impact on her. In her late teens and early twenties Tahni played lead guitar for all-girl heavy metal band Tantrum and appeared in the Allan Arkush film "Get Crazy" with Malcolm McDowell, Lou Reed, Lee Ving and John Densmore. During the 80s glam heyday she played regularly on the world-famous Sunset Strip and around Los Angeles, at legendary places like Gazzarri's, The Whiskey, The Country Club and The Troubadour, often sharing the bill with bands like Ratt, Queensrych, Exciter and Y & T (she actually shared rehearsal space with Mötley Crüe!). Not long after, she would be drawn into the soulful blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan, which would have more of an impact on her career choices than she realized. Eventually Tahni enrolled in GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology), looking to expand her palette of styles and generally improve her skills as a player.

Shortly after the new millennium, driven by intuition and the lasting influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tahni made the long pilgrimage to Austin, TX. It was here that inspiration, focus and creative nurturing came together, as Tahni began work on what would become her first CD. In 2004 she released "Back Again", a catchy pop/rhythm and blues album that chronicles a spiritual journey from broken promises and crushed dreams, through lost-yet-lingering loves, to motherhood and new inspiration. Always optimistic, Tahni somehow manages to question her faith without ever losing faith. With several shades of The Beatles, hints of Van Morrison and a little Fleetwood Mac, "Back Again" is a tapestry of melodies and dynamic vocal arrangements with Tahni's guitar work woven in like fine embroidery.

Also check out Tahni's second release, SweetSpot, which features some of Austin's finest players, including Dony Wynn (drums, Robert Palmer), Chris Maresh (bass, Eric Johnson) and Larry Chaney (guitar, Edwin McCain).