Reviews of this CD:
"Tight, upbeat arrangements range from danceable funk to acoustic rock and wah-wah blues." Kat Valentine, The Denver Post, April 16, 2004.
"...'One-Way Street,' 'Gravity' and a slinky version of Bill Withers's 'Use Me' are seasoned with a dash of sass, and 'I Can't Go,' a bonus track, is alluringly intimate." Michael Roberts, Westword, April 29, 2004.
"Her musicianship is solid, her vocals are expressive and sensual." Brad Weismann, Colorado Daily, April 30, 2004.
BIO
Though born in New York City, Wendy Woo grew up in Colorado. Her energetic personality, musical skills, and spirited songwriting have made her a media and fan favorite.
Multicultural in both heritage and outlook, Woo displays a blend of soul, vibrancy, and wild child attitude. A passionate live performer who connects instantly with her audiences, she has been playing to sold out venues every week and attracting national music industry attention.
Whether playing by herself or with her band, she draws you in and holds you there. Her voice is simultaneously intimate and assured. Her songs are wide-ranging in style but always pure in emotion: from down and dirty blues to defiant ex-lover funks to summer day sambas to wistful ballads. Her guitar-playing includes fretwork riffs so unusual they always generate cheers.
Her talent has not gone unnoticed. Her music has been featured in "Uncommon Goals," a 1999 Discovery Channel documentary about the gold medal-winning U.S. women's soccer team, and the Food Network's "FoodNation with Bobby Flay." She also sings the theme song for "Good Day Colorado," the weekday morning show on Denver's Fox affiliate.
In addition, she has won numerous accolades including:
*Best Singer/Songwriter (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004), Best Nationally Undiscovered Artist, and Best Acoustic Artist (Denver's Westword).
*Independent Artist of the Year (2003) (Hapi Skratch Entertainment).
*Best Musician (The Boulder Weekly).
*Best Singer/Songwriter (The Boulder Daily Camera).
*Best Local Artist (Colorado Daily).
*Winner of the Colorado Lilith Fair Talent Search.
*Named to music critics' "Best Colorado CDs of the Year" lists: "Ecolalia" (The Denver Post and Westword) and "Gonna Wear Red" (DenverLocalMusicScene)
She was part of the 1999 Lilith Fair in Denver, sharing the stage with Sarah McLachlan and The Indigo Girls. She has opened for many national acts including Sheryl Crow, India.Arie, Counting Crows, Shawn Colvin, Dave Mason, Stanley Jordan, Eric Johnson, Karla Bonoff, The Crash Test Dummies, Sonia Dada, Sean Mullins, Sophie B. Hawkins, and Loudon Wainwright III.
Woo's parents, Jane, an artist, and Bataan, a poet, were founding faculty members of Boulder's legendary Naropa Institute. The Faigao home was a gathering spot for such literary icons as Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, Merry Prankster Ken Kesey, and 1960s chronicler Norman Mailer. Local music critics have lauded her as a significant member of Boulder's "organic" music scene.
Her musical experience includes studying classical guitar and music theory in college; working at Boulder's most famous music venue, the Fox Theater; organizing the Women from Mars (an on-going music festival); and serving as a producer for multiple projects including CDs for herself and Sally Taylor, daughter of Carly Simon and James Taylor.
Woo has released five CDs, displaying a wide variety of styles.
"Angels in the Crowd" (1997) is a collection of mellow jazz and folk-inspired ballads.
"Wide Awake and Dreaming" (1999) is a full band production with funk and jazz rhythms.
"Ecolalia" (2000) features Woo's songs and acoustic guitar interwoven with her father's poetry.
"Gonna Wear Red" (2002) is a tightly produced series of rock tunes with touches of funk, blues, and folk, featuring intricate acoustic and electric guitar styles and Woo's sweet and powerful voice.
"Walking the Skyline" (2004) captures the intimacy of Woo's solo performances and the energy of her band shows.
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