If Less is More… Nothing is Everything (Palmetto Records)

Kate McGarry 

Released August 19, 2008

Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album 2009

YouTube:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lCveo3nBG6FHx4R9GNV7uP01JT_egObyw

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/73o96GXYoXFgmzekpv6d57?si=_tUzj7tqTDSVBU37lLMhwA&dl_branch=1

About:

Singer Kate McGarry grew up in Hyannis, Mass., one of 10 children in a musical family that spent many nights singing together. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst she earned a degree in Afro-American Music and Jazz. Kate began developing her organic vocal style through early training in jazz performance with Dr Horace Boyer and iconic saxophonist Archie Shepp. Her experiences studying at a meditation ashram and exploring Celtic, Brazilian and Indian music also contributed to her widescreen vision as a vocalist and composer. After years honing her craft in Los Angeles, McGarry moved to New York where her independently produced (by Steven Santoro) debut album, Show Me, was picked up by Palmetto Records. Jazziz Magazine declared, “With this near-flawless album, she has arrived.” 
In 2005 McGarry’s Mercy Streets album – which ranged from the Peter Gabriel title track to songs by Björk, Joni Mitchell and Irving Berlin – was called “one of the most important vocal albums of the year” by All About Jazz. Featuring originals alongside tunes by Sting and Bill Evans/Miles Davis, her album The Target was named one of the best jazz vocal albums of 2007 by Downbeat. The Downbeat reviewer called the recording “a milestone of maturity,” adding: “McGarry has the pure untrammeled voice of an ingénue who finds wonder in the simplest of things.” Her 2008 album, If Less Is More, Nothing Is Everything, was nominated for a Grammy Award, with The Wall Street Journal calling it “an exceptionally appealing blend of folk and jazz” for its mix of originals, standards, Brazilian tunes and songs by the likes of Bob Dylan. National Public Radio said: “Kate McGarry is called a jazz vocalist, but she’s hard to pin down. She draws on the music of her youth to inspire her – from the Irish tunes of her family’s roots to musical theater to pop songs.”
In 2008 Kate and her husband Keith Ganz made a foray into children’s music writing and recording 63 original children’s songs for the Heinle Picture Dictionary for Children, a bestselling international ESL educational product. Kate was then asked to sing the theme song for the hit children’s show, The WonderPets in a special jazz episode that featured the great Eartha Kitt and Jon Hendricks as The Cool Kat and the Hip Hippo. 

Track Listing:

1. Let’s Face the Music 06:35

2. You’re My Thrill 05:42

3. Just What I Needed (Ric Ocasek) 06:21

4. The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Bob Dylan) 04:23

5. Caminhos Cruzados 05:48

6. You Don’t Have to Cry 04:31

7. The Priest. 05:27

8. Flor de Lis 04:38

9. I Carry Your Heart 05:47

10. Man of God 03:23

Personnel:

Kate McGarry: vocals

Keith Ganz: guitar

Gary Versace: organ, accordion, piano

Reuben Rogers: bass

Clarence Penn: drums, percussion

Special guests:

Jo Lawry: vocals violin, triangle (6,9)

Peter Eldridge: vocals, cardboard box and brushes (4, 6)

James Shipp: pandero, cajon, talking drum (4, 6)

Donny McCaslin: saxophone (1, 3, 7, 8)

Recorded December 29, 2007 – January 8, 2008, at Maggie’s Farm, Buck’s County, PA, by Matt Balitsaris

Mastering: Scott Hull

Photography: Lourdes Delgado

Produced by Matt Balitsaris

Review:

Coming across Kate McGarry’s If Less is More… Nothing is Everything on an iPod in shuffle mode, it’s possible that “Man of God,” might be followed by “The Priest” and “Just What I Needed;” a couple of spiritual songs followed by a slow acoustic version of the hit song by The Cars. Listeners might at first be reminded of Sara Groves, Suzanne Vega, and Joni Mitchell, and not really understand the depth of McGarry’s jazz chops until hearing “You’re My Thrill” or “Let’s Face the Music.” She can flat out deliver a jazz lyric. In fairness to the producer, these are the first two tracks on the CD. 
Perhaps the iPod would land on Jobim’s “Caminhos Cruzados,” a slow bossa which features McGarry singing deliciously phrased Portuguese lyrics, backed by acoustic guitar, and accordion. “I Carry Your Heart” sets an e.e. cummings poem to music, and “You Don’t Have to Cry” features rich three-part harmonies with earthy percusion using cajon, cardboard box and brushes, and pizzicato violin. Listeners might not realize at first that this is even a jazz recording, because the tracks vary so much. 
The word this recording brings to mind is range… not just vocal range, but McGarry’s musical range in style and genre—between the great jazz singers of old (Betty Carter, Anita O’Day), Celtic music, spirituals, acoustic and percussive music—and the subtlety and great talent to express her music by combining it all. McGarry’s husband and long-time musical collaborator Keith Ganz helps bring life to the music on guitar, and Gary Versace adds his genius on organ and accordion. The addition of a rhythm section dripping with soul, and some tasty sax playing by Donny McCaslin makes for a great recording. 

It helps to have all the pieces in place. But McGarry and her collaborators, including producer Matt Balitsaris (Palmetto Records owner and founder), bring a higher vision to this project. According to Balitsaris, his label has succeeded so well “because it makes music that matters to the artist and to the audience. Palmetto Records also supports artists who are often overlooked or are considered somewhat left of center. This enables the label to help expand the boundaries and even the vocabulary of jazz, and also gives the artists the freedom they need to make great music.” This dream today is fully realized through the music of Kate McGarry. The musicians gel, and the arranging is well designed and executed. 
McGarry’s career is now in full blossom. In addition to having five recordings with Palmetto, she’s joined the faculty of Manhattan School of Music. “My challenge there has been to bring what I know and value about the jazz tradition to the education world. The trick is to teach what you know and be who you are. Being your authentic self is the only way to go.” 
Talk about practicing what you preach. This recording demonstrates her philosophy, and shows how it’s not about talent alone, or just having a great voice, or knowing the standards. It’s more about finding one’s own voice, having vision and seeing it through. Great jazz artists find a way to do just that. This should be the year that McGarry breaks through for a Grammy nomination. If Less is More… Nothing is Everything is certainly worthy.

Blaine Fallis (All About Jazz)