Album Review: Kristina Koller - Walk on By (self-produced)

Kristina Koller (vocals, arranger, producer); Fima Chupakhin (piano, Rhodes); James Robbins (bass, arranger); Cory Cox (drums).

The songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David have been recorded by over a thousand artists. The music of that legendary team is in every way that appealing. So, for an artist to take on some of the Maestro’s greatest and most iconic commercial hits – and having the chutzpah to attempt to reimagine them - is a very dicey game. However, by offering ten of Burt’s best through different eyes, Walk on By from vocalist, arranger, Kristina Koller is indeed a winner.    

I’ll Never Fall in Love Again opens and is covered in a faux rock-funk vein. Koller buys wholeheartedly into the vibe and approaches things with a little more of an edge than as was in the Dionne Warwick original. The exchange between keys and drummer, as well as a slick anticipated jumped lyric before the finale, add to the uniqueness of this track.

The Carpenters hit, Close to You (originally recorded by Richard Chamberlain), here is re-arranged inside-out in a quirky 5/4 meter. The interesting effect, enhanced by drummer Cox’s time is truly unique. Koller wisely avoids miming Carpenter’s sweetness and Karen’s more innocent approach to the lines. Cox’s fine set-work, whether done intentionally or not, salutes Carpenter’s fine drumming abilities. Fima Chupakhin delivers an energized solo. It is a unique, highlight track. 

A House Is Not a Home, here slightly and spookily reharmonized and with a swaying 12/8 feel, has Koller soulful, but not overbearing. Her lyric/melodic timings are highly individual. Certainly less “operatic” than as the extravagantly-presented original, it is a fascinating take. 

That’s What Friends Are For, a Bacharach-Warwick hit song that developed into a phenomenon, is delivered fairly straightforward, although with some double-time underpinnings. Vocalist Rosemary Minkler joins Koller to reinforce the message. The slick engineered reverb segment (Minkler is an audio engineer, by the way) along with Chupakhin’s jazz stylings teases the listener for repeated playing of the track.

Koller has a higher, colorful and interesting voice. Not afraid to melodically and rhythmically tight-rope walk, her approach is versatile, unique and inviting. Pianist Fima Chupakhin is a fine, elaborate and energized player – and, an exceptional accompanist. Bassist James Robbins and drummer Cory Cox propel things along admirably throughout. The arrangements done by Koller and Robbins are truly imaginative and never lose focus.

If one recalls Warwick’s Don’t Make Me Over, it was a layered, heavily produced track with vocalist, orchestra, and chorus en masse sending out the command. Here we encounter a slimmer version with Koller more reserved, yet certainly getting the point across. She’s a softer messenger, yet vividly enhanced by Chupakhin’s accompaniments. Her movement into her upper register, i.e., “accept me for what I am …” is exceptional. Another interesting track. 

Distinguished from the straight-forward original, Walk on By is a “time sandbox” for Koller in which to play lyrically, melodically, and rhythmically. The effect is infectious. Purists might react, but this track adds a neat noir-like vibe to the tune. Bassist James Robbins offers a deep messaged solo. 

Bacharach’s Loving Is a Way of Living was originally recorded by Steve Lawrence (sans Eydie) in 1959, flopped (the B-side, I Don’t Care (Only Love Me) was the hit), and, when it is listened to today, has an odd out-of-place vibe. Koller and crew slow the tune down, opening with a nice piano intro. The presentation here is balladic with the vocalist accompanied by piano. Koller’s cover is so absolutely lovely that you would think it is a smash hit song from a current Disney animated film. An absolutely perfect example of re-imagination.

Knowing how musically discerning and genius-perfectionist Burt Bacharach was in-studio, I wonder what he might offer as a reaction to Kristina Koller’s breakthrough, Walk on By. Something tells me that given the high quality Koller and her fine playmates present, he might just ask to sit in. Nick Mondello

I’ll Never Fall in Love Again; Close to You; A House Is Not a Home; That’s What Friends Are For; Say a Little Prayer; Don’t Make Me Over; Walk on By; Reach Out for Me; Loving Is a Way of Living; What the World Needs Now.