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)
