CD Review: Kristin Callahan – Lost In A Dream

Kristin Callahan (vocals); Eliot Seppa (bass, most arrangements); Matvei Sigalov (guitar); Tom Teasley (perc 2,4,6) Mark Prince (drums 1,3,5); Lee Pearson (drums, conga 4,6); Carroll Dashiell 111 (drums 7); Joe Herrera (trumpet 2,3,4,6); Matt Rippetoe (sax 4)

A singer since childhood, Kristin Callahan went on to study jazz and piano and has performed at festivals and venues such as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockwood Music Hall and throughout the east coast as well as tribute shows to both Peggy Lee and Julie London.

In this, her third album, Callahan aims to give a more earthy feel and a Latin sound, with acoustic guitar and percussion, and with a repertoire of fewer traditional standards. The CD was on the whole enjoyable, with one reservation. Ms Callahan's voice was good, a pleasing alto with a light nasal tone, but for those who have an interest in lyrics, the words were not all discernible, especially at the end of vocal lines. This was especially a missed opportunity on the title track which was written by the singer herself.

The overall result was that I enjoyed the instrumental segments every bit as much as the singing.  The percussion was especially effective, with conga, cowbell, caxixi, and Cajon, added to skilled hand-drumming, notably on the short instrumental Memories Always Start, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, and Caravan. The latter track begins with an effective solo bass, then voice to hand drums and bass accompaniment before trumpet and guitar enter with an eastern theme, fading out with voice, trumpet and  hand drums.

The singing style is reflective, very noticeably on Lush Life (what a gem of a song!) and also on 'Round Midnight, where the bell-like guitar seems to chime away the hours. The final track, Jobim's Once I Loved, has the guitar playing comments between the lines of song, arpeggios (I think) my musical theory is dodgy!

Mostly enjoyable, the album is available everywhere from July 16 on Ivy Door Music. See www.kristincallahanmusic.com - Ann Alex

Lush Life; Memories Always Start; 'Round Midnight; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; Lost In A Dream; Caravan; The Shadow Of Your Smile; Once I Loved.