Kathleen Grace (with Larry Goldings) Tie Me To You

Kathleen Grace (with Larry Goldings)
Tie Me To You
Monsoon Records

Singer and songwriter Kathleen Grace embraces roots within the blues, folk, and pop realms with a jazz tinge. With keyboardist Larry Goldings, who has worked with James Taylor, Norah Jones, John Mayer, and others, she has engaged in this project with bassist David Piltch and violinist Gabe Witcher contributing to this effort. Goldings himself plays piano, organ, pocket piano, and glockenspiel.

This recording arose in part because of Grace's awakening self-awareness. This self-awareness led to changes in her social relationships. As a result, she wrote songs that dealt with these changes. "Tie Me To You" features original music by both Grace and Goldings as well as covers of pieces by French icon Francois Hardy, blues legend Son House, and The Beatles, and standards by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Rodgers & Hart.

What impresses one listening to this recording is not merely how lovely a voice Kathleen Grace has, but the clarity and purity of her singing with a heartfelt expression of hurt and love in the performances. The title track, with Goldings' harpsichord sounding keyboards and Witcher's subtle one-person string session, has her sweet plea to be tied to her love. Her soft voice provides a melancholy interpretation of the Rodgers-Hart penned "Where or When" with Goldings' overdubbed keyboards providing an understated backing for the yearning she expresses here.

Grace's "Everywhere" would be at home on an Americana show or folk festival with her folk-guitar and Witcher's folk-country fiddle accompanying her sweet singing. An unexpected cover is her adaptation of Son House's recording of "John the Revelator." Of course, her soft, clean diction and gentle phrasing contrasts to Son House, who sang as if he was pouring out his entire soul. Goldings adds a simple, uncluttered solo here. Grace sings with charm in French on "Berceuse," a song that evokes a French musical hall or cabaret. This song is followed by a plaintive interpretation of the torch song, "The Thrill is Gone." It has another splendid accompaniment and solo by Goldings. Like most of this recording, the listener is moved by the simple directness of the performance. Witcher's one-person string section and Goldings' skeletal accompaniment, Grace treats the listener to a subtly seductive performance of 'Love For Sale."

On "What'll I Do," Grace wonders how she will recover from the end of a romance. Golding's elegant piano accompanies her honeyed vocal. On her last song, she provides an answer singing she will follow the sun, even if she must leave one behind on a tuneful cover of The Beatles' "I'll Follow the Sun." It caps an exquisite, sophisticated, and very appealing recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of  Kathleen Grace and Larry Goldings performing Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do."

 

John Scofield Country For Old Men

John Scofield
Country For Old Men
Impulse

This new release by John Scofield has him reinvestigating his country/folk roots alongside accomplished colleagues Steve Swallow, Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart. It is a homage to such greats as George Jones, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, James Taylor and Hank Williams among others, with some songs evoking a classic honky tonk feel like the opening rendition of a George Jones classic "Mr. Fool," with Scofield's twang and use of sustain set against Goldings' country-flavored piano and a simple rhythm groove while a few others taking a different tack as the transformation of Hank Williams' lament. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," into a rollicking roadhouse stomp and almost a mash up with Jay McShann's "Jumpin' the Blues," on a stunning performance with some fiery playing in his improvisation.

There is the restrained rendition of James Taylor's "Bartender's Blues," the percolating groove over a spirited "Wildwood Flower," and a sober "Wayfaring Stranger." The sparkling flavor of the interpretation of Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried," contrasts the bluesy flavor of the rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Other treats include the Bob Wills' classic ballad "Faded Love," and the classic "Red River Valley," transformed into a rocking organ-guitar feature with some of Scofield's most inventive improvisation. A brief, acoustic statement of the theme of "I'm an Old Cowhand," serves to end a most appealing album of jazz renditions of classic country tunes.

I received a download to review from publicist. Here is John Scofield performing the country classic that was redone by Ray Charles, "You Don't Know Me."

Arnold McCuller's Soulful New CD

A real surprise is a new release by vocalist Arnold McCuller, "Soon As I Get Paid" (What's Good Records). As a vocalist he has worked as a session singer with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt Phil Collins, Lyle Lovett and James Taylor as well as had his own choice recordings issued over two decades and a half. His early singing was rooted in the church and was with the national Touring Company of "Hair." More recently he has been touring with James Taylor, and involved with upcoming Ry Cooder and Eric Clapton recordings.

From the opening moments with the title track, McCuller shows himself to be a terrific singer, rooted in the blues and soul. His vocals are wonderfully delivered and the backing complements his expressiveness. Even the blues-rock touches are generally understated. It is hard pressed to pick out standout tracks. The title track is a stunning bluesy piece while Gasoline and Matches, is a marvelous duet with Thelma Jones. It is followed by a fine rendition of the Big Jay McNeely-Little Sonny Warner classic There is Something On Your Mind, with a fine guitar solo from Mike Landau.

McCuller does a wonderful re-imaging of the Jackie Wilson classic Lonely Teardrops, slowing down the tempo and singing in a fashion that captures a fair amount of the heartache of the lyrics. McCuller observes that Wilson was performing this when he suffered a heart attack and stroke that left him in a coma for 8 years and obviously is a significant influence on McCuller. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man is a nice rendition of the Dan Penn and Chips Moman tunes that Aretha is most identified with. Obviously having a man sing it gives the words somewhat a different tenor. The catholicity of McCuller's repertoire is also displayed by his solid rendition of JB Lenoir's The Whale Swallowed Me, with his aching vocal complemented by Landau's spare trebly guitar and Larry Goldings restrained organ.

Soon As I Get Paid was a revelation as Arnold McCuller shows himself to be a first-rate singer, backed by a sympathetic band on this impressive release. His website is http://www.arnoldmcculler.com/ and this can be ordered there.

I received my review copy from a publicist for this release.