With Every Breath I Take – Kathryn Smith

Kathryn Smith – With Every Breath I Take
Released – April, 2010

I’ve come to think of Kathryn Smith as the “mystery woman.”  The one-sheet that came with the disc from the publicist says Ms. Smith is originally from Indiana; now in New York by way of Ireland and London’s West end.

And that’s about it.

A Google search turns up nothing.  No website.  No Facebook.  No MySpace.  No upcoming performances.  Too bad, because Ms. Smith has a unique talent, and has assembled a fine band to back her up on this recording.

A delicate soprano, Ms. Smith is best with the earnest ballads – such as “You Go To My Head,” which opens with a sparse guitar-only backing, and then opens up with Ed Xiques on sax noodling around, and then taking a stretch at the bridge.  Good stuff.

Ms. Smith’s earnest interpretation of the lyrics mostly works, but sometimes seems a little out of place when (well, when I think) the material calls for a little lighter touch, such as Dave Frishberg’s silly “My Attorney Bernie,” or Duke Ellington’s “Squeeze Me.”

But a whole bunch of tracks from this one will be in the iPod rotation, including “So Many Stars,” along with the original, “For Now (Time To Strut),” written by Brian Conigliaro, who also produces and plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica on this disc. Click here for a free download of “So Many Stars” (MP3, 5.17MB)

Ron Vincent on Percussion, Dave Samuels on vibes, and Michael Goetz on Bass round out the backing group.

I’ll look forward to solving the mystery of this mystery woman before her next disc is released.

Highly recommended.

Publicist’s website


The UK’s Alesha Dixon (“The Boy Does Nothing”) has a new single out today – it’s titled “Drummer Boy,” and it’s okay. But for my money, not as good as “The Boy Does Nothing,” and the follow-up single from that album, “The Alesha Show.”

So – you can find the new track in about ten seconds if you Google it; but here’s my favorite from the first disc, “Breathe Slow.” Did I mention that she was a winner on “Strictly Come Dancing,” the UK’s version of the US program, “Dancing With The Stars?”



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Loverly – Davis and Dow

Davis and Dow – Loverly
Released – January, 2009

Eleven tracks on this disc, from Julie Davis-Dow and Kelly Dow. She sings, he plays.

Guitar.

Husband and wife, making music since the mid 90s. Together, they’re aces. Ms. Davis-Dow has the nifty ability to sound like several of my favorite singers, but most often settles on (to my ears) a young Nancy Wilson, especially on the title track that opens the disc, from Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady.” (free download of this track here - 4.5MB)

I’m always intrigued by originals that sound classic. The duo’s “Dancing In The Sand,” inspired by Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz,” falls into that category. Lyrics like, “Take my heart and lead me to that wonderland | While we are slowly dancing in the sand,” set to a compact bossa beat – had me adding this one in heavy rotation on the ‘pod.

The propaganda with the disc says Ms. Davis-Dow has won several South Florida reader’s polls as “Best Jazz Vocalist,” and the duo has won “Best Jazz Group” in those surveys, as well. Not surprised. She’s fearless in her approach to each track.  None are clunkers, and several are real winners – including surprising “gypsy swing” versions of the Beatle’s classic “Honey Pie,” and the Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman.”

I’ve received a ton of discs from singers who are married to (or clearly involved with) bass players. I don’t know what the attraction is.

I really don’t.

Speaking as an end-user, guitar players are clearly superior choices as partners, ladies. I don’t care how good they are, not every track needs a bass solo.  But if the guitar takes a turn or two (or three) – or ends up a little heavy in the mix – it’s okay, especially when they’re as talented as Mr. Dow.

Take a pointer from Peggy Lee.

Or Julie Davis.

Find yourself a good guitar player.

Sublime – and very highly recommended.

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(Photo of Julie Davis-Dow by Jasmina Meyer – www.jdmeyerphotography.com)


I am hooked on Craig Ferguson’s late-night show.  Usually, the late shows feature some new-music group that has me reaching for the remote and muttering the things my father used to say.  But not last night.  The group was Marina and the Diamonds – fronted by Marina Lambrini Diamandis, who is Welsh – but of Greek heritage.

I am smitten.

I probably liked the selection they performed, “I Am Not A Robot,” having heard it on BBC’s Radio One, to which I often listen while driving.  But I didn’t notice it until last night.

When it clicked.  And now that I’ve heard it, I must have it.  Just like the old Top-40 radio days.

Here’s the official video, but the clip from the show is probably viewable at tv.com.

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Bom Tempo: Sergio Mendes

It’s been very hot here in Washington for the past several days.  One of my small pleasures after work is a cold beer, and summer music on the speakers in the big room.

Here’s one that keeps playing, over and over.


Sergio Mendes – Bom Tempo (Concord)
Released – June 1, 2010

I’ve been listening to “Bom Tempo,” the latest release from Sergio Mendes, nearly non stop on the commute for the past several days.

Yeah, it’s that good.

Mr. Mendes, of “Brazil ’66″ fame, pretty much wrote the soundtrack of my late sixties life. The lush Brazilian beats, backing the iconic vocals of Lani Hall, Karen Philipp and Janis Hansen were recordings I played until the vinyl just plain wore out. Mr. Mendes has never been out of style in my book…although it’s clear he’s been working hard to reach out to a new generation.

“Timeless,” released in 2006 featured collaborations with several then-current pop acts, including The Black Eyed Peas, India.Arie and (yikes!) Justin Timberlake. “Encanto,” a 2008 release, featured more work with Fergie and the guys, as well as a reunion with Ms. Hall, and her husband – Herb Alpert.

But this year’s offering, “Bom Tempo,” may just be the best yet.

I’m particularly smitten with Nayanna Holley (pictured here), who is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. She takes the lead on the disco-tinged “You And I,” as well as “Emorio,” the track that leads off the disc, and includes samples of those sixties classic tracks like “Mas Que Nada” and “The Frog.” Ms. Holley, whose resume includes backing work with Sheryl Crow and Queen Latifah is also a familiar voice from a slew of commercials and television appearances.

Katie Hampton leads a driving version of Stevie Wonder’s “The Real Thing,” and teams with Gracinha Leporace (Mr. Mendes’ wife), and Jessica Taylor on an update of “Pais Tropical,” one of those signature tunes from Mr. Mendes’ songbook. Hampton and Leporace also update “Ye-Me-Le,” the title track from a 1969 recording.

With the right blend of today’s music sensibilities and a nod to the past, “Bom Tempo” is a very good time.  I’ll be playing this one over and over, all summer.

Highest recommendation.

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Speaking of summer music, here’s one of my favorites from k.d. lang.  From 2000, and the album “Invincible Summer,” here’s “Summerfling.”



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Ooh, Canada! Part Two: Karin Plato

The number of Canadian artists on the ‘pod is out of proportion.  I don’t quite know the reason.

Not that it matters.

Here is another to add to the mix.


Karin Plato – Out of Town
Released – May 25, 2010

There are two different albums here, – one, I listened to on the big speakers across the room; the other is the one I listened to on the headphones while working; or through the earbuds on the train to and from work.

Of course, it’s the same album. But for me, the difference is huge, and I like the album I heard up close much better.  What I’m saying is that Karin Plato’s voice is more suited for a more intimate way of listening.

And it’s quite a voice.  No tricks with a band this small – piano (John Roney), Cello (Chrstine Newland) and bass (Brendan Davis),  Ms. Plato hides behind nothing.

Not that she should.

This is intimacy of the highest order, swing without noise, improvisation without mumbly scat, heat without flame.

Seventeen tracks across a pair of discs – if I’d been producing, I’d have saved the money and chosen a dozen or so, but it wouldn’t have been easy, and where to cut is always the problem, isn’t it?  Especially tough with this material.  Some off-the-beaten path covers like “The Breeze and I” from Cuba, and “Blackberry Winter,” a song that’s only been recorded a few times since it was written some 35 years ago.

Two originals that I was able to identify – Ms. Plato’s own “I’d Rather Be Somewhere Hot,” which stands up just fine amongst this crowd (better than some), and “Reality,” written by Marguerita Spencer.  It’s only a slightly eclectic group – songbook classics such as “Blue Skies,” or “Day In, Day Out,” are along side “If I Only Had A Brain” and Sondheim’s “I Remember,” from a mostly-forgotten mid-sixties TV special.

Yeah, I would have cut it down to a single disc.  But it would have been tough.  Juno-nominated, Ms. Plato is another reason my iPod is full of great Canadian vocalists.

This is a set of recordings that wears its smart on its sleeve.

And it’s very highly recommended.

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I spent some of my Father’s Day iTunes loot on the soundtrack from “Promises, Promises” – the revival that stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes.

And was struck by a couple of things – how well the music of Hal David and Burt Bacharach stacks up against anything else from Broadway; and how Ms. Chenoweth is just about the best all-around performer working in musical theatre.  The “authorized” clips I found from the musical are really too short – so here’s a bootleg from “Regis and Kelly” with “I Say A Little Prayer.”



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Jennifer Zarine: Fresh Made Cuppa Tea

The discs have been piling up during this little hiatus, and for that I apologize.  No excuses.  Sorry about that.

But you ask, “What aroused you from your reverie?”

Fair question.

Stuff like this:


Jennifer Zarine – Fresh Made Cuppa Tea
Released – March 23, 2010

So many sound so alike in this genre – that’s not the case here.  A saucy romp through standards both old and new, Jennifer Zarine displays not only her theatre background, but the rare ability to dial it back for the recording studio without losing the emotion.

Covering a lot of territory, from the Nat King Cole classic “Orange Colored Sky,” to Mick Jagger’s “Paint It Black,” Ms. Zarine and the guys manage to put their own stamp on this material, and stand out from that crowd. Continue reading

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