Kathryn Bostic — “From Me to You”

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A prolific songwriter, musician and jazz singer, Kathryn Bostic has released her self-produced album of original songs, From Me to You, featuring some of the greatest musicians and artists worldwide.

Review by Pauline Adamek

Bostic is a classically trained pianist who accompanies herself on the piano and sings with a warm, jazzy style that combines impeccable phrasing with heartfelt emotion.

This is a self-made artist who ranks with the some of the best in the business (think Diana Krall). More importantly, Bostic hits the superfecta; writing, composing, singing and playing her own poignant compositions. Some say this new release is reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time (minus the country twang). Above all, Bostic’s lyrics are profound, deep and moving, especially on the song Riverman, which features a vocal duet with Grammy Award-winning artist Keb Mo and also Jeff Novack on upright bass.

In fact, her other bass player, Darryl Jones, is legendary. That’s Jones performing on tracks Rainmaker, Already There and Wings of Stone, having played over the years with various rock bands including none other than the Rolling Stones.

Commented Jones, “It was my sincere pleasure to be involved in the recording of these inspiring songs. Riverman is a visceral musical experience. It evokes a journey of the heart down the river of the soul and returns you invigorated, ‘safely home.'”

The title track, From Me to You, launches the album and immediately captures your empathy with its soulful melody, pleasing harmonies and pretty piano and guitar themes. Throughout this accomplished album, Bostic’s voice is clear and pure, like a clean-flowing creek, and her melodies are smooth and mellifluous and steal into your soul in the most endearing way. Track 2 is Shadow, which is a haunting meditation on the fragility of love and the unfinished business of past relationships.

Already There (track 3) has a more lively, almost country-rock vitality, while she brings it home with the mellow subsequent track Riverman.

Track 5 – Safely Home – has the quiet but soaring power of a hymn. Bernard Fowler duets with Bostic on track 6, a controlled but intense song entitled Rainmaker.

The remainder of the album skips lightly from one upbeat jazz-infused song to the next soft and soulful one. This is a masterful album brimming with talent. Bostic sagely surrounds herself with accomplished musicians, but there is no doubt who is the star here.

From Me to You is a gorgeous, soothing and expressive album.

Artist’s quote:

“I had the good fortune of having many dear friends participate and contribute their talent, time and energy to make these songs come alive to share with you.   Production wouldn’t have been possible without their generosity as well as the huge support from my dear friend, great engineer and editor, Bryan Zee.“

Other works:

Bostic composes music for movies, ads and numerous stage productions. Most recently, she won a Drama Desk Award for ‘Outstanding Music in a Play’ for her original composition for the Rajiv Joseph’s play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, which enjoyed a season at the Mark Taper Forum in the Kirk Douglas’ Theater from 2009-2010 and is currently being staged on Broadway at The Richard Rogers Theater. The play was also nominated for several Tony Awards, including ‘Best Sound Design,’ in which Bostic’s music plays an integral part.

For more info, visit Blue Mandala Music.

::STOP PRESS::

Kathryn Bostic will be having her official record release show and party on July 21st at:

The Catalina Jazz Club
6725 W Sunset Blvd #100
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-2210

Go here for tickets.

Kathryn Bostic recently performed at the Catalina Jazz Club. By all accounts Bostic has such an impressive stage presence that the audience can’t help falling in love with her. Go here for a review of that performance.

Kathryn Bostic’s CD, From Me to You, is now available for purchase on CDBaby.

For more info on Kathryn Bostic go here

Tracklist:
1) From Me to You

2) Shadow

3) Already There

4) Riverman (featuring Keb Mo)

5) Safely Home

6) Rainmaker (featuring Bernard Fowler)

7) Reason to Love

8 ) Travelin’

9) Fragile Vial

10) Wings of Stone

11) Beyond This

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Artists lineup and their partial roster:

* Keb Mo (guest vocals on “Riverman”) – Keb Mo!
* Bernard Fowler (guest vocals on “Rainmaker”) –  The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Sly and Robbie
* Darryl Jones (bass) – The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sting, Peter Gabriel
* Doug Wimbish (bass) – Living Color, Mos Def, Jeff Beck
* Jeff Novack (bass) – Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Little Jack Melody
* Will Calhoun (drums) – Living Color, Pharoah Sanders, Mos Def
* Herman Matthews (drums) – Kirk Whalum, Kenny Loggins, Wayman Tisdale
* Paul Peterson (drums) – Kenny Loggins, The Family
* Ricky Peterson (organ) – Dave Sanborn, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, John Mayer
* Tom Regis (synths, keyboards on”Wings of Stone”) – Celia Cruz, Ofra Haza, Marianne Faithful
* Greg Leisz (pedal steel/dobro) – Joni Mitchell, Cheryl Crow, k.d. lang, everyone!
* Nils (guitar) – Rick Braun, The Temptations
* Paul Ricci (guitar) -Edison Machado, Astrud Gilberto, Randy Brecker, Bebel Gilberto
* Bryan Zee (acoustic guitar, on “Rainmaker”)
* Jason Moss ( acoustic guitar on “Already There”) – composer/singer-songwriter
* Gospel choir partners  (on “Wings of Stone” )- Rodney Finney, Phil Furey, and Guy  Maeda

* Mastering – Dale Becker at The Mastering Cafe

* Engineering and mixing – Bryan Zee, with additional engineering by Steve Reid, Michael Wells and Michael Sena