Kate Reid (vocals, most arrangements); Paul Meyers (guitar 1, 7); Larry Koonse (it’s that man again! Guitar 2,4); Fred Hersch (piano 3,9,11); Romero Lubambo (guitar 5, 10); Taylor Eigsti (piano 6,8); Peter Eldridge (producer)
(Review by Ann Alex).
Chances are that you’ve heard the pleasing, sultry voice of Ms Reid before, on films such as Star Trek into Darkness and Men in Black III. She hails from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, plays piano (though not on this CD) and is a very accomplished lady with a Doctorate of Music Arts from the University of Miami. Our singer has appeared with her quartet in the Los Angeles area, and worked with many great jazz musicians, not least the stellar selection on this album, which is her third CD. The tunes are a well thought out mixture of jazz standards, modern jazz, and pop tunes, some of which were new to me. All tracks are duos, giving a different take on many of the songs, which, listed by track, are:
1/ Something to Live For. Ellington/Strayhorn’s song of reflection, with clever comments from Meyers’ guitar, between the lyrical lines.
2/ I’m Confessin’. The guitar, Koonse this time, improvises on the tune throughout as the singer cleverly weaves her way through the tune, ending with some gentle scat.
3/ No More. A moody ballad with passionate piano from Fred Hersch. A favourite song of Billie Holiday’s. The lyrics say that the singer won’t miss the lost lover, but the mood belies the words.
4/ Two Grey Rooms. A Joni Mitchell song with powerful images of longing and loneliness.
5/ Endless Stars. Lyrics by Norma Winstone. The guitar (Lubambo) plays a fast Latin rhythm to a slow, sad love song, with lots of nature images.
6/ Busy Being Blue. A slow ballad about what to do to get over being blue, which is lyrically amusing.
7/ I’m Just a Lucky So and So. Another Ellington song, this time with lyrics by Mack David. It’s a fast swinger, including the verse, with clever guitar (Meyers’ turn), solos.
8/ Secret Of Life. A James Taylor song, a wonderfully optimistic bit of philosophy, (‘try not to try too hard’) with effective piano jazz accompaniment by Eigsti.
9/ If I Should Lose You. A fast swinging number, with scat, yet it somehow manages to convey the sadness of the lyrics, proving that you don’t have to do a sad song slowly.
10/ Minds Of Their Own. Lyrics by Peter Eldridge. Another rather philosophical song.
11/ Lazin’ Around. An excellent way to end a worthwhile compilation. Relaxed, swinging piano from Hersch and a singer who encourages us to laze in the sun, then go back home to laze some more. Ms Reid must have known about the last week’s weather!
The CD is available from July 20 2018 at Amazon and iTunes.
Ann Alex
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