Over the Moon
Kate Bennett
Independent
1999
13 tracks
Kate Bennett comes with excellent credentials. Among her friends performing on Over the Moon are Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina, and Jeff Pevar. With these musical connections, one might expect this release to lean toward rock or country. And although this is a debut release, one would expect Bennett's work to live up to the quality of her guests. Bennett's writing and performance do live up to expectations. However, the music is clearly her own, a sometimes sweet and sometimes edgy blend of folk and pop styles.
While Over the Moon has the unity one expects of any well-crafted work of art, it is also a broadly eclectic collection of songs. Bennett's style ranges broadly from Sarah McLachlan to Loreena McKennitt, from classic folk sounds through cool blues to slow Alannah Miles rock. It's a strange, delightful stew that's sure to enchant the listener.
Bennett tells the story of "Irene" with all the passion of any Sixties folk singer. A gentle orchestration fills out the background without ever being intrusive or taking away from the story. "Irene" more than holds its own as a traditional folk song and as a contemporary ballad. It's effect is potent and moving.
At the other end of the spectrum, "Home" is a slow rocker with a solid bluesy backbeat and sultry vocal reminiscent of Alannah Miles' "Black Velvet." Featuring tight production and concise, almost mystical lyrics, "Home" is perhaps best among the excellent tracks on this release.
With "Here and Gone" Bennett again demonstrates her strengths as a singer of slow rocking blues, bringing an eerie sensuality to her well-written lyrics.
Another folky sounding song, "Indigo Blue" illustrates that Bennett, as much as lyricist is a poet able to paint pictures with her evocative imagery and concise language. Her lyrics are as enjoyable to read as to hear sung.
"Buddha" feels very much like a Leonard Cohen song. The melody and rhythms of "Buddha" sound very much like those Cohen uses in several of his songs. The lyrics bring with them a religious imagery so common in Cohen's work. Even so, this is very clearly Bennett's song and stands very well on its own.
The final song on Over the Moon, "The Harvest" is well placed. When the music has ended, the melody remains echoing in the listener's head long afterward, a lasting reminder of the songwriting skill of Kate Bennett.
As a debut album, Over the Moon bodes well for Kate Bennett's career, not just as a performer but especially as a very talented poet and songwriter. It will be interesting to see where this young artist goes next.
Those interested in more information on Kate Bennett and her music will find it at www.katebennett.com.
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