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Spring Brings New Music

April 14 2005

There's something about spring and warmer weather that makes one want to hear different music, different voices. Summer is good for rock and roll and all forms of jazz, while winter months invite classical music. Spring is for new beginnings and fresh sounds.

Massachusetts native Kate McGarry has a new CD, "Mercy Streets," (Palmetto Records) and it's definitely worth investigating. The disk opens with a sprightly rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning." McGarry perfectly captures the youthful exuberance of Mitchell's lyrics without imitating the composer's carefree rendition. That leads into the seductive tango of "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" (from "Damn Yankees"). The vocalist has a pleasingly varied repertoire that finds her as comfortable interpreting Irving Berlin as she is rearranging a song by Bjork. "Trouble of the World" is a gospel piece that has a deep blues feeling, while an original piece, "Going In," is a gentle manifesto, a musical reminder to take chances in life. She does a wonderful version of Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street." McGarry approaches the song with an intimacy, caressing the words, sometimes singing, other times speaking and, at the end, moving into a wordless vocal that seems to symbolize her liberation from the sadness of life.

McGarry utilizes a small ensemble featuring guitarists Steve Cardenas and Keith Ganz, bassist Sean Smith and drummer/percussionist Kenny Wolleson. She sang on pianist Fred Hersch's brilliant "Leaves of Grass" CD and he returns the favor by appearing on two songs here. All in all, "Mercy Streets" is a quiet gem that has great emotional depth. Nothing is rushed or overdone. Like a breeze through the window on a pretty April day, Kate McGarry's music is refreshing and clear.