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REBECCA KILGORE - Moonshadow Dance 

Cherry Pie Music CPM101
 
Rebecca Kilgore ( vocals ) with Special Guest vocalist Susanna Mars Trio Randy Porter ( pno ) Tom Wakeling ( bass ) Todd Strait ( drs ) with Israel Annon ( perc ) Dan Balmer ( gtr ) Steve Kristofferson
( melodica ) Marco DeCarvatho ( gtr ) David Evans ( tnr )  Mike Horsfall ( vibes ) Tim Jensen ( flute / alto flute ) John Moak ( tmb ) Dick Tittering ton ( fl. Horn )
Recorded Portland 2014
 
This album is something of a departure for Rebecca Kilgore we normally associate her with stunning versions of songs from the Great American Song Book but in this instance all the songs are written by two contemporary writers and were written within the last two decades.

The writers involved are Ellen Vanderslice and Mike Horsfall who also plays vibes on the album, there is also some input from Rebecca Kilgore on both the lyrics and the music and on one number she is responsible for both the lyrics and music alone.

They may be contemporary writers but all the songs are in the great tradition and deserve to be taken up other discerning singers. As usual Rebecca Kilgore rises to the occasion  and interprets these songs in the best possible way and gives the songs that extra edge. Some of the song titles are not in the mainstream but the lyrics make the meanings clear.

The backing group are not particularly well known but provide just the right background to Rebecca Kilgore’s vocals and there are some interesting solos in particular by pianist Randy Porter and  vibist and composer Mike Horsfall.

The Opening track “I Live In A Condo” brings to mind compositions by singer songwriter Blossom Dearie with the tongue in cheek lyrics. The number opens with some nice introductory piano and also has solos by the tenor player David Evans, Mike Horsfall’s vibes solo swings with understated ease.

“In A World Made Small” is a song which would grace any half decent singers repertoire but Rebecca Kilgore’s  interpretation will be hard to better withit’s lilting vocal. Tim Jensen’s flute contribution to the backing and solo add much to the track.
Some songs seem to have a natural flow and “I’m Not Susceptible To Love” is just one of those songs and is helped along by Randy Porter’s  marvellous piano contribution.

Let us hope this is not the last of this song writing teams they have brought a breath of fresh air to a music scene where second rate seems to be the order of the day.
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As usual Rebecca Kilgore is a triumph and appears to get better with time and we must look forward to her next recording.
 
Reviewed by Roy Booth


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