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Kate Reid: The Heart Already Knows

By Jerome Wilson
September 27, 2018
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There's a special sort of intimacy achieved when a singer performs with the accompaniment of only one instrument. On this CD

Kate Reid

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Kate Reid explores that in a big way, recording duets with two different pianists and three different guitarists.

Reid has an appealingly husky alto voice with a casual coziness that adapts nicely to the styles of her various duet partners. Guitarist

Paul Meyers

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Meyers makes a sensitive foil for her on

Billy Strayhorn

piano
1915 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Strayhorn's "Something To Live For" and brings a jaunty swagger to

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "Lucky So And So."

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Koonse breezily glides through "Confessin'" as Reid shows off her silken scatting ability. Then on

Joni Mitchell

vocals
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Joni Mitchell's "Two Grey Rooms" he provides a dreamy, folk-inflected mesh of acoustic and electric guitars under a vocal performance that highlights the similarities of Reid's voice to Mitchell's mature sound of the 70's.

Romero Lubambo

guitar
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Romero Lubambo brings a dramatic edge to the set with his intricate samba rhythms on

Fred Hersch

piano
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Hersch's "Stars" and thick, tender chords on

Ivan Lins

piano and vocals
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Ivan Lins' "Minds Of Their Own" which enhance the sensual glow of Reid's singing.

Elsewhere Reid is accompanied by one of two excellent pianists.

Taylor Eigsti

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Taylor Eigsti fills in a lush backdrop on the subtle torch song, "Busy Being Blue" and injects some drama into the homey philosophy of James Taylor's "Secret Of Life." Then there is Fred Hersch himself who displays his talents three different ways on his tracks. He is as icy and minimal as

Ran Blake

piano
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">Ran Blake on "No More," does compact, subtle swinging on an up-tempo "If I Should Lose You" and plays elegant, drawling stride piano on "Lazin' Around With You."

For all the fine work the guitarists and pianists do, the center of the session is Kate Reid. Her voice is a deep, sensual instrument full of easy charm and grace, never seeming to stretch for notes. Her voice is intoxicating in this close setting. She makes a lot of wonderful music with her five partners and produces an exceptional work of vocal jazz.

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Track Listing

Something To Live For; Confessin'; No More; Two Grey Rooms; Stars; Busy Being Blue; Just A Lucky So And So; Secret Of Life; If I Should Lose You; Minds Of Their Own; Lazin' Around With You.

Personnel

Kate Reid

vocals

Kate Reid: vocal; Taylor Eigsti: piano (6,8); Fred Hersch: piano (3,9,11); Larry Koonse: guitar (2,4); Romero Lubambo: guitar (5,10); Paul Meyers: guitar (1,7).

Album information

Title: The Heart Already Knows | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Self Produced

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