Curiosity. That’s what hits me about the refreshing innocence of Kat Edmonson’s jazz infused vocal. There is a very distinct charm and grace to Kat’s music. Her personality beams through the staging of music and injects itself right into your heart. The fact that she can sing something along the lines of “it’s been raining every day, when you look for me I’ll be gone. I’ll be far away” and I have a giant smile on my face, says something about the performer’s ability to move folks. A point that is made prevalent on the songwriter’s new record “The Big Picture”.

(courtesy of the artist)

The album is fun, youthful, and buoyant. “Rainy Day Woman” may have a somber story behind it, but Edmonson’s voice lifts it to new heights, pushing an outward sense of resiliency and optimism. I love this gal’s voice. One of the strongest and best jazz inspired voices of this (or any) generation, hands down.

Why do you run away and save me for a rainy day?

She is able to sing out with seemingly effortless precision on each and every track. With songs like “Oh My Life” taking on an almost acoustic, small jazz club bar, neon lights and Manhattan’s on mahogany tables . “All The Way” lends itself to a more pop folk sound is a bit of a departure from much of the material, but a welcome one. Further displaying her ability to fuse genres and sounds into something that is interesting and just plain works.  The note that she hits at the end of the phrasing “if you lose yourself” in the song gives me chills, shudders me to the core. That last note in the line hangs with me for a long while after listening and still is.

The singer/songwriter has a timeless quality about her, both in the style of her music and personality. The record showcases her as not just a singer, but the stature she has reached as a writer – writing or co-writing all but one track on this collection. Her articulation of the ups and downs (a lot of those downs) of relations and being able to construct them into something completely and totally enjoyable and relatable is brilliant. The depth and range that fans have come to expect from Kat’s live shows is on strongly demonstrated on The Big Picture, with slow drifting ballads, fuller, fast paced arrangements, and everything in between. A variety indeed, but with a flow and movement that works extremely well.

Edmonson is an artist for the masses with a vast appeal across a broad audience, and “Big Picture” is just another example of why she has received such acclaim. Another A + effort from this incredibly talented and wonderful gal.

Anytime Kat makes her way through town, the wife and I are first in line to snatch up tickets. You can join us as she is playing a week from today at the Regatta Bar in Harvard Square on 10/8. Get your tickets at the link: http://www.getshowtix.com/regattabar/moreinfo.cgi?id=3274

http://www.katedmonson.com/