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Falling Rising
Pickpocket Records
Described as a soul/jazz/rock band, Gretchen and the Pickpockets present a fresh musical sound led by the singing of Gretchen Klempa who leads this band with her brother bassist Mike Klempa. The rest of the band consists of Ryan O’Connell on trumpet and guitar; Tom O’Connell on drums and percussion; Richie Smith on guitar; and Diego Tunjano on saxophone with some other brass added to this recording. Based out of Boston, they been active in new England since 2013.
They are heard on ten originals that have a strong jazz feel manifested by Gretchen's lithe, but sultry, vocals and the loosely structured backings that allow a certain amount of improvisation in these oft atmospheric performances. Gretchen sings subtly but vibrantly, with clarity and subtle shifts in phrasing in her heartfelt delivery of the lyrics. Ryan O'Connell's trumpet makes his presence heard in short solos and obligatos to the vocals on the opening"Keep Talking," and the longing she expresses on "Love You Forever."
The low-key support on"Easy on My Heart" provides an apt setting for her plea to her lover to stay, while there is a country-tinge to her vocal on "Devil's Due." Its melody hints at The Eagles' "Take It To The Limit," while it also has a handsome horn arrangement. "Let Me Do My Thing" has a funky feel with a hint at a New Orleans groove, while "Back And Forth," has a Memphis feel to it. There is plenty of variety here with a jazzy flavor present throughout including "Time and Time Ago," with its frenzied close along with haunting trumpet. This caps a wonderfully played and sublime recording that crosses genre lines to great effect.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a clip of Gretchen and the Pickpockets performing "Let Me Do My Thing."
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