Matt Andersen

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox by signing up for The Coast Daily newsletter.

[
        
          {
            "name": "Air - Inline Content - Upper",
            "component": "26908817",
            "insertPoint": "1/4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "8"
          },{
            "name": "Air - Inline Content - Middle",
            "component": "26908818",
            "insertPoint": "1/2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "8"
          },{
            "name": "Air - Inline Content - Lower",
            "component": "26908819",
            "insertPoint": "100",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          }
        
        ]

From the high-tone cover art to Colin Linden producing in Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, NY, Coal Mining Blues looks to be Andersen’s move uptown. Loyal fans of the king-size New Brunswick blues belter may miss the rough edges. With four original and two cover ballads included, Andersen is challenging himself and the listener. Since the standout among these is by Willie P. Bennett, the uptempo numbers need to be solid, and they are. “I Don’t Want to Give In” and “Lay it on the Line” make the political personal, and his love songs are quite effective when he's in a bit of a lather.