Katie Cruel - The Roving Jewel (2017)

Who is Katie Cruel? A real person? The pseudonym of an artist? Neither one. This is the title of a folk song from the last century, which came to America via Scotland during the period of the Civil War. It deals with a mysterious woman whose social behavior did not necessarily coincide with social norms. However, that is precisely the reason why it is unique and difficult to define.

The musical liaison between the American guitarist Geoff Goodman and the Albanian singer Fjoralba Turku is also called "Katie Cruel” now. As a result, fruitful and successful collaboration of many years has finally found an appropriate name. Not like those jazz bands who call themselves after the initiator of the respective project and then add a conservative term such as "Quartet", "Trio" or "Duo" behind it. Or those who want to appear smart, trendy and modern and give their ensemble a peppy, garnish name. No, simply Katie Cruel. It fits. It directs you neither to this nor that pigeonhole, because Goodman and Turku are also actually unique in their own way, do not fit into any pre-conceived pattern and their musical philosophy is even more difficult to define than previously, especially just after their debut CD "The Roving Jewel".

Wait a second! Debut CD? "Yes in a sense," Geoff Goodman winked, knowing that both already have a common recording on CD shelves with "At The Middle" (Tutu). "But that was three years ago," Fjoralba Turku explained. "A lot has happened since then. I have evolved further as a singer, approach music much more freely and consequently can produce more colors and stories than before." Goodman suspects that some people could possibly consider "Katie Cruel” as a farewell to his previously way taken as a jazz guitarist. “But exactly the opposite is the case! These songs signify a kind of homecoming for me. All the musical influences in it are rooted deep inside me." The view into the innermost actually initially discloses incompatible recipes, but surprisingly well tolerated after a short time together; they flow into each other, begin to come together, even make you enthusiastic at some time, overpower and captivate you. Turku and Goodman naturally put traditional American folk songs and blues from the South alongside Albanian, Greek or Turkish folklore. Startled listeners realize with shivers down their spine how gently sparkling pop harmonies, powerful rock metrics or jazz settle similar loops in all open structures. The finely balanced playing of the violinist Max Grosch helps accomplish this and contributes a melancholy depth with his instrument on four songs.