Marshall stance

Tuesday, May 13, 1997

Marshall stance

By PAUL CANTIN

Ottawa Sun

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Way back in 1991, Amanda Marshall was a teenage protegee of Jeff Healey, and her first big break was opening for the guitarist at Ottawa's National Arts Centre.

Friday, she returns to the NAC with Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk, but this time, Marshall is the headliner, riding the remarkable success of her self-titled debut album.

"It feels great. We're really excited by it. The irony is definitely not lost on me," Marshall says from Chicago, where she is opening for John Mellencamp.

"Things have evolved, which is very nice. We've come to the point where we can play the NAC ourselves. That's really gratifying. Really nice."

If Marshall sounds a little blase about reaching this milestone, it's understandable. The accolades and rewards have been piling up around her like sandbags along the Red River.

In the past 18 months, her album has gone platinum worldwide, thanks in no small part to a gutsy live show that has left even the most jaded skeptic slack-jawed with wonder at the power of Marshall's voice -- a full-throated roar that seems to know no limits.

Along the way, Marshall has collected some high-profile boosters, too. Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi and Rosie O'Donnell have all heaped praise upon the singer. You'd think that might be intimidating for an artist just finding her footing in the music business, but guess again.

"You can be endorsed by the Pope, but if you get up in front of an audience and you can't deliver, you are going to be found out immediately. It doesn't matter," she says.

"On a certain level, it helps a great deal when someone with a certain celebrity status, whether it is Elton John or Jon Bon Jovi or Rosie O'Donnell or whoever, takes an interest in you. It helps on a certain level with the media, because the media loves that kind of story. They love when one celebrity takes another budding celebrity under their wing.

"I always found that to be the case, from my association with Jeff Healey up to this thing with Elton John. On one level, it is incredibly flattering. But no matter what kind of expectation might be created by him saying that, the bulk of anybody's interest in you depends on you. If you can't deliver, people know."

Naturally, her debut success will bring increased expectations for her sophomore effort. Marshallsays the one drawback of her hellacious touring schedule has been little time to ponder what the future will bring.

"I listen to the (first) album now, and I think I sound really young and I know the arrangements have matured and changed and evolved over the last year. That's the great thing about being a performer and that's why I tour. It gives you the opportunity to continue to work on your craft and continue to grow.

"I would be appalled if I walked in to make the next record and hadn't matured or changed at all as a performer and human being. One thing that experience gives you is the opportunity to grow and change. Every album you make is only going to reflect what you have done."


	Tuesday, May 13, 1997 Marshall stance By PAUL CANTIN Ottawa Sun -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Way back in 1991, Amanda Marshall was a teenage protegee of Jeff Healey, and her first big break was opening for the guitarist at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. Friday, she returns to the NAC with Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk, but this time, Marshall is the headliner, riding the remarkable success of her self-titled debut album. "It feels great. We're really excited by it. The irony is definitely not lost on me," Marshall says from Chicago, where she is opening for John Mellencamp. "Things have evolved, which is very nice. We've come to the point where we can play the NAC ourselves. That's really gratifying. Really nice." If Marshall sounds a little blase about reaching this milestone, it's understandable. The accolades and rewards have been piling up around her like sandbags along the Red River. In the past 18 months, her album has gone platinum worldwide, thanks in no small part to a gutsy live show that has left even the most jaded skeptic slack-jawed with wonder at the power of Marshall's voice -- a full-throated roar that seems to know no limits. Along the way, Marshall has collected some high-profile boosters, too. Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi and Rosie O'Donnell have all heaped praise upon the singer. You'd think that might be intimidating for an artist just finding her footing in the music business, but guess again. "You can be endorsed by the Pope, but if you get up in front of an audience and you can't deliver, you are going to be found out immediately. It doesn't matter," she says. "On a certain level, it helps a great deal when someone with a certain celebrity status, whether it is Elton John or Jon Bon Jovi or Rosie O'Donnell or whoever, takes an interest in you. It helps on a certain level with the media, because the media loves that kind of story. They love when one celebrity takes another budding celebrity under their wing. "I always found that to be the case, from my association with Jeff Healey up to this thing with Elton John. On one level, it is incredibly flattering. But no matter what kind of expectation might be created by him saying that, the bulk of anybody's interest in you depends on you. If you can't deliver, people know." Naturally, her debut success will bring increased expectations for her sophomore effort. Marshallsays the one drawback of her hellacious touring schedule has been little time to ponder what the future will bring. "I listen to the (first) album now, and I think I sound really young and I know the arrangements have matured and changed and evolved over the last year. That's the great thing about being a performer and that's why I tour. It gives you the opportunity to continue to work on your craft and continue to grow. "I would be appalled if I walked in to make the next record and hadn't matured or changed at all as a performer and human being. One thing that experience gives you is the opportunity to grow and change. Every album you make is only going to reflect what you have done."