 |
N
E
W |
|
|
|
The musicians: Katie King - vocals, Bill
Anschell - piano, Craig Flory - saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, Jeff Johnson -
bass, D-vonne Lewis - drums
$16.99 + 3.00
S&H
|
|
Titles -
Harry's Fight,
Across the Universe,
All or Nothing at All,
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Last Night, Do I Move You?,
Alone Together, Come
Together, Wayfaring Stranger, Throw It Away, And Now,
Inch Worm, Here Comes the Sun
Review by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
To paraphrase a line from the film, "Jerry Maguire,"
vocalist Katie King "had me at (her musical) 'hello' "
on this album.
This lady is, without a doubt, the finest singer I've
heard in years. She can handle any style, and her unique
approach makes each style her own. Her voice is
marvelous and her phrasing impeccable, and she hits
every note dead-on. There's no "hunting," yet she can
"bend" her voice for effect as necessary.
If her singing weren't enough, King is backed by as
tasty and swinging a quartet as you'll ever hear: Bill
Anschell on piano; Jeff Johnson on Bass; Craig Flory on
sax, bass clarinet and flute; and D'Vonne Lewis on
drums.
|
| Review of
One for My Baby by Alex Henderson |
 |
All too often, talented singers
have been sabotaged by clueless A&R people -- if the singer
isn't saddled with incompetent musicians, he or she is given
inappropriate songs to work with. But One for My Baby
is just the opposite; in fact, this CD is an example of
intelligent, thoughtful A&R and the right decisions
being made. |
Katie King is accompanied by competent Seattle jazzmen,
and all of the songs chosen are appropriate for her. One of
King's strong points is sassy, playful blues, and Z.Z. Hill's
"Steppin' Out," Bessie Smith's "Good O' Wagon" and Louis
Jordan's "Early in the Morning" are perfect choices. Another
major asset is King's sultry, bluesy way with ballads and
torch songs, and she couldn't have had more appropriate
vehicles than "Everything Happens to Me" and "One for My
Baby." Finally, there's King's need for the occasional
fast-tempo bop swinger, and "Love Come Back to Me" and "I'm
Old Fashioned" fill that need nicely. Because the right
decisions were made, One for My Baby paints an
appealing and cohesive picture of King's talents.
Titles -
There'll Be Some
Changes Made,
Lover Come Back To Me, Don't Worry 'bout Me, Early In The Morning, If I Had You, What A Wonderful World, I'm Old Fashioned, Steppin' Out,
Ain't Misbehavin', Everything Happens To Me Clear Out Of This World, Good 'ol Wagon |
|
|
Review of Jazz
Figures by Dave Nathan |
 |
Good jazz singers take risks and
few are more riskier than putting lyrics to and vocalizing
classic bop tunes. This tricky task is what Katie King and her
musical cohorts have successfully accomplished on Jazz
Figures. Most of the music was composed by Wayne Shorter.
|
King's style is characterized with subtlety and grace.
"Timeless Moments" ("Nefertiti") is languidly delivered
creating a picture of an attractive woman lounging in a
diaphanous gown, drinking Southern Comfort and reminiscing of
past good times that are not likely to pass this way again.
Talented multi-instrumentalist Jay Thomas, as he has done on
other of her albums, provides the perfect foil for King.
Listen to his soprano, appropriately, on "I Need Rest" built
on John Coltrane's "Impressions" and his shimmering Miles
Davis muted trumpet on "Follow the Footsteps." The work Thomas
and King alone are reason enough to justify this recording.
The rhythm section of Seattle- based musicians Bob Nixon, Jeff
Johnson and Steven Bentley are very supportive. Nixon's
pianistic talent is featured throughout, but especially on
"All the Notes Are Blue" ("Blue in Green").
Titles -
Tell Me Yes or No, Follow The Footsteps.
All The Notes Are Blue, I Need Rest, I'm In Fall. Timeless Moments, The Prince, Time Remembered, All The Notes Are Blue (reprise)
|
|
Review of
Mostly Ballads by Dave Nathan |
| |
 |
Katie King made her recording
debut with Mostly Ballads,
which showed her to be an expressive jazz singer with a
sultry, bluesy delivery. As its title suggests, this CD
emphasizes ballads but doesn't exclude comfortable
medium tempos. |
The Seattle-based vocalist
was going for a dusky, torchy jazz-noir ambiance, and
the well known standards she chooses (which include
"You're My Thrill," "How Deep Is The Ocean," "Don't
Explain" and "Baltimore Oriole") were quite appropriate
for the mood of the session. "If I Should Lose You" is
given a likable Afro-Cuban makeover, and equally
appealing is King's sparse version of Mongo Santamaria's
"Afro Blue." A satisfying... debut, Mostly Ballads
indicated that King was an artist to keep an eye on.
Titles -
Some Other Spring,
If I Should Lose You.
Afro Blue, You're My Thrill, Baltimore Oriole, Don't
Explain, You're Mine You, I'm All Smiles, My Silent
Love. How Deep Is The Ocean |
|
