Lili Ańel, a Philadelphia resident as of September 2004, had begun winning local fans performing at places like The Point, World Café Live! and Tin Angel. Since her arrival, the 6 ft tall performer has shared the stage with Rhett Miller, Teddy Thompson, Jeffrey Gaines, Alana Davis, Richie Havens, John Hammond and Alejandro Escovedo to name a few. Lili was listed in the top 25 independent artists of 2005 by C-Notes, an internet radio station. Her musical style caught the attention of Philadelphia NPR station WXPN, as she was asked to participate in their 2005 one year anniversary broadcast. In addition, she was interviewed in 2006 by WXPN, Delaware's WSTW and New York 's WFUV. Later in the year Lili formed "The Dream Again Band" featuring veteran musicians Cooke Harvey- bass, Dave "Boz" Bozenhard- guitars and John DiGiovanni- drums, percussion. The band was named after the January 13, 2007 independent release "Dream Again" which they contributed to. In addition, Lili along with her bassist extraordinaire, Cooke Harvey, for the first time had full creative control in producing "Dream Again." As a result the CD received rave reviews in JazzTimes and The Long Island Press.
“Ańel posseses unusual power, fearless emotional directness, and a wide-open timbre….”Stephen Holden/NY Times
As a Songwriter, Lili honed her skill in NYC’s Greenwich Village thriving music scene. She successfully showed diversity within her musical ideas and sensibilities, performing both solo or with her band executing her music and voice with amazing power, rhythmically and melodically. Lili and her band opened for legendary acts like Etta James, Taj Mahal, Stuff (featuring the Saturday Night Live Band) and The Persuasions
Lili was nominated for a 1987 New York Music Award in the “Best Songwriter” category, winning in 1989 in the “Best Unsigned Artist” category. When living in Canada, Lili appeared on "Soul In The City" a program from the MuchMusic TV show. Her first CD "Laughed Last" was internationally distributed. She toured all over the U.S. and Canada in support of "Laughed Last", as well in New York at such venues as The Bitter End, The Bottom Line and Joe’s Pub.
“People have often said my music is Joan Armatrading meets Joni Mitchell meets Steely Dan, Lili says. “I agree and disagree. I do resemble Joan somewhat in my singing, my songwriting style is heavily influenced by Joni amongst many others (The Beatles, Janis Ian, etc.) and I love the sound of Steely Dan. But I don’t sing exactly like Joan, I don’t write exactly like Joni and the album doesn’t sound exactly like Steely Dan. I am influenced by a great deal of other songwriters and musical styles that many people aren’t even familiar with, GARLAND JEFFREYS, to name one.”
“When The Beatles arrived in America, the damage was done. Mom brought me Introducing The Beatles (V-Jay Records) and my sister Meet The Beatles on Capitol. From that point on I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up”.
Hiatus- After the successful national tour of Laughed Last and years of playing countless gigs, Lili took a well deserved break from the music scene. From 1997 to 2001 she focused her energies on her family. From the end of 2001 to 2002 Lili returned to the studio and worked with some of the finest musicians around to create her second CD, "Hi-Octane Coffee" including: Drew Zingg -acoustic and electric guitar, best known for his work with Steely Dan; Andy Burton- keyboards (presently on tour with Ian Hunter); and Johnny Gale- guitar who recently produced Ryan Shaw's CD.
“Laughed Last” (Palmetto Records) and “Hi-Octane Coffee” (OJB Records) prove that Lili’s got the goods to be a mainstay in the music industry. While compared to various artists at times, she’s truly one of a kind. [sic] “… and every indication says she'll win big…” [Cashbox]
“Amid those spunky Beatlesque hooks and melodies she seasons her tunes with liberal inches of funk, jazz and folk...Blends an urgent rawness with an elegant professionalism...This CD never ceases to fascinate me!”
San Mateo, CA (“Laughed Last” review)
“Sometimes a fine voice is all it takes to grab a listener and hold on. When the songs are this good it just puts the icing on the cake.” Acoustic Musician Magazine