Kate McGarry: Show Me (2003)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: July 25, 2003

A vocalist of many vocals, Kate McGarry can change her tone and timbre at will, dictated by what the song requires. Compare the tight coquettish trill of "Show Me" with the alto elastic sexuality of "Gypsy in My Soul." Then compare that with the sleek, deep purr or "Moon and Sand." McGarry is quite handy at setting a mood with her tonal bag of tricks.

"The Thrill is Gone" is a Peggy Lee-Anita O'Day vamp sliding over Steve Cardenas' guitar and Karen Hammack's strolling piano. Perhaps the best song on the disc is "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." McGarry sings this over Scott Colley's capable bass and Kenny Wolleson's post bop drumming. She scats like a dream with out caricature.

Show Me is a serious debut and should be considered as such by listeners. McGarry's carefully crafted approach and dense professionalism offers a very welcome change from a great deal of jazz vocal outings heard this year. I hope to hear much more from her in the future.

For more information, see Palmetto Records and Kate McGarry .

Track Listing: Show Me; Gypsy In My Soul; Moon And Sand; The Thrill Is Gone; Oceano; Aqui O; East Of The Sun; This Is Always; Get Out Of Town; One Eye Laughs, One Eye Weeps.

Personnel: Kate McGarry: vocals; Steve Cardenas: guitar; Scott Colley: bass; Karen Hammack: piano; Kenny Wolleson: drums; Bill McHenry: saxophones; Mauro Refrosco: percussion.

Record Label: Palmetto Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream