Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz: Genevieve & Ferdinand - Live

6

Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz: Genevieve & Ferdinand - Live

By

Sign in to view read count
Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz: Genevieve & Ferdinand - Live
Kate McGarry has always defied easy classification. She's a jazz singer, and a folk singer too; she could also be filed under mainstream pop, but then, what's all that esoteric Brazilian music doing in her repertoire?

The answer is simple: McGarry is her own genre, applying her clear and beautiful voice to whatever material speaks to her soul. This is obvious on Genevieve and Ferdinand, where she's equally passionate and expressive whether interpreting the American Songbook, James Taylor, Toninho Horta, or her own pensive original; her signature eloquence is especially intimate here, when her only accompaniment is her husband, the exquisite guitarist Keith Ganz. Nearly breathing in unison, they have created an eclectic and deeply melodic set that embraces Jerome Kern and Todd Rundgren as well as Paul Simon and Irving Berlin, while finding new colors in familiar lyrics.

Jazz aficionados will savor the haunting re-harmonization of "Let's Face the Music and Dance," while Taylor followers will delight in how his "Line 'Em Up" is taken out for a swing. And anyone who enjoys poetic contemplation will be drawn to McGarry's "Ten Little Indians," a powerful memoir about her nine siblings and their parents' deaths within a year of each other. Surprisingly, it's neither maudlin nor depressing, but full of love and redemption; chances are it will move anyone who's experienced that particular rite of passage, no matter what their favorite genre may be. Moreover, this tune is emblematic of McGarry's unique musicality: a contrivance-free zone in which honesty and simplicity are blended into the highest technical art.

For those wondering about the CD's title, "Genevieve" is McGarry's middle name, while Ganz reminds her of the gentle "Ferdinand," the famous bull who preferred flowers to fighting. Certainly his strong and subtle playing is the perfect companion to her sound and sensibility, especially since this CD is recorded with such clarity and warmth. The bottom line is that Genevieve and Ferdinand is heartfelt, intelligent, and unforgettable.

Track Listing

American Tune; Ten Little Indians; Aquelas Coisas Todas/Third Wind/Aqui O; Can’t Help Loving That Man; Plea For a Good Night’s Rest; Line ‘Em Up; Mr. Long Gones; Let’s Face the Music and Dance; Pretending to Care; Smile; Beneath a Crozet Trestle Bridge.

Personnel

Kate McGarry, voice; Keith Ganz, guitar; Theo Bleckmann, Gian Slater, vocals, track 9.

Album information

Title: Genevieve & Ferdinand - Live | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.