Kristina Olsen

Kristina Olsen (born May 26, 1957) is an American folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who also incorporates influences from acoustic blues. As at 2022 she has released 13 albums (four on the recognised independent label Philo Records); all of her Philo albums achieved between 3 and 4 stars (represented as dog bones) in the 1998 MusicHound Folk:Essential Album Guide. On her Philo albums her accompanying musicians include U.S. guitarist Nina Gerber while several of her later albums include collaborations with the Australian cellist Peter Grayling. Her 2014 album Chemistry is a collaboration with U.S. guitarist Peter Snell who has previously worked with the well known songwriter and performer Lyle Lovett. Olsen is also noted for her extensive touring schedule both nationally and internationally. Commencing in 1992 she recorded 4 albums for Philo Records which were well received critically, with Kristina Olsen and Love, Kristina both receiving 3 stars (dog bones), Hurry On Home 3 and a half stars, and Live from Around the World four stars in the comprehensive MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide encyclopedia of the folk music genre.

Olsen writes songs loosely in the folk/acoustic singer-songwriter genre but incorporates influences from blues and jazz; she has a particular regard for the songs of blues artist Robert Johnson and often incorporates one or two of his numbers in her live performances, accompanying herself on bottleneck resonator guitar. For most of her own songs, she uses regular acoustic guitar but also incorporates piano, banjo and concertina as accompanying instruments. According to Allmusic, in addition to guitar and piano, she plays 13 other instruments.

Reviewing Live Around The World (1997), Stephen Ide wrote in Dirty Linen: "She tells stories of trekking through Alaska on snowmobiles to gigs or of dancing with a drunk, and then sings everything from sweet, passionate piano ballads to rollicking folk-rock or growling, raucous blues. For Kristina Olsen, the message is personal and delivered with fire."

Pamela Murray Winters, in the MusicHound's Folk Essential Album Guide, writes: "Her music and manner are unabashedly warm and inviting. Olsen is a folk singer in the most literal sense of "folk"; even in the throes of bluesy longing, her voice and delivery draw the listener into the circle."

Discography It Don't Take Too Much (Take A Break Productions, 1983) Cupid Is Stupid (by Kristina Olsen & The Loose String Band) (Take A Break Productions, 1985) Kristina Olsen (Philo, 1992) - featuring Nina Gerber (guitar), Cary Black (bass) plus others Love, Kristina (Philo, 1993) - featuring Nina Gerber (guitar), Cary Black (bass), Joe Craven (percussion) plus others Hurry On Home (Philo, 1995) - featuring Nina Gerber (guitar), Joe Craven) (percussion) plus others Live From Around the World (Philo, 1997) - featuring Nina Gerber (guitar), Ed Johnson & Kim Scanlon (harmony vocals), Al Petteway (guitar) Duet (by Kristina Olsen and Peter Grayling) (self released, 1998) Truth of a Woman (Take A Break Productions, 1999) - featuring Peter Grayling (cello, mandocello, mandolin & harmony vocals) All Over Down Under ("by Kristina Olsen with Peter Grayling and George Butrumlis") (Take A Break Productions, 2002) In Your Darkened Room (Take A Break Productions, 2004) - featuring Peter Grayling (cello, mandolin), Paul Elliott (violin), George Butrumlis (accordion), Ed Johnson (harmony vocals) Kristina Olsen & Peter Grayling Live DVD (2004) Quiet Blue (Take A Break Productions, 2008) - featuring mandolinist Al Hughes and drummer Scott Hills They Paid Us in Tub Time (Audiobook/Ebook) (Take A Break Productions, 2013) Chemistry (by Kristina Olsen and Pete Snell) (Take A Break Productions, 2014) Sweet Stillness (Take A Break Productions, 2016) - featuring Bill Coon