In theory I have nothing against jazz singer cum singer songwriter Kat Edmondson at all but in my practice a little of her goes a long long way. Her voice is so distinctive that it is distinctive to the point of distraction, though beautiful as it channels some sort of hybrid white jazz way.
Consider Kat an updated Diana Krall matched with Joni Mitchell US Division. Kat is from Houston, a bit of shocker given her urban sensibility, and while she can’t arrange as well Diana or write as well as Joni, she can arrange better than Joni and write better than Diana.
This year’s The Big Picture had moments, maybe not enough, but it did have one thing that seemed to clip all her detractors wings, the moving Paul Simon inspired “Who’s Counting” about the passing of time and the steadfastness of love (maybe).
It’s enough to get me ponying up $25 ($30 with handling fees but who’s counting?) to check her out at Le Poisson Rouge even though it is on a dreaded Tuesday (arrrrhhh!) on March 3 rd (110 days from now), she is good enough to deserve a closer look. Robert Ellis, who was pretty good opening for Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell at Lincoln Center last summer, is well worth getting there early for.
