Karen Lane Organ Project - Two Steps from the Blues (2014)

Tracklist

01. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin
02. Don't Explain
03. A Handful of Soul
04. Two Steps from the Blues
05. Easy Street
06. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry
07. All Night Long
08. Gravy Waltz
09. Make Sure You're Sure
10. He Was to Good to Me
11. Sugar in My Bowl

A Hammond organ and Jazz guitar lovers delight, of moody blues tinged songs to soothe the brooding soul. Topped with Lane's sensually funky vocals and John Hoare's mellifluous trumpet licks.

This recording was inspired by one of my favorite albums of all time “Sarah Sings Soulfully” recorded in 1963. I had wanted for years to explore a line up featuring Organ, Guitar and Drums as the main backing section for a vocal album with horns featured as well in the line up. I had done many gigs ending with a blues tune, and people often asked my why I didn’t do a blues album or more blues tunes in my set. It was often “Sugar in My Bowl” (Nina Simone) featured on this album or “Baby, Baby All the Time” which was brought to my attention by the wonderful Shirley Horn – who I was lucky enough to perform see “live” in 2000 during a fleeting visit to Washington D.C at the Bohemian Caverns.

This recording features the amazing Canadian born guitarist, Dominic Ashworth who I have worked with for many years, and has more recently been getting the attention he so deserves from the mainstream British press. Nic France (Loose Tubes, Terry Callier, Tanita Tikaram) whose sensitive and intuitive drumming and percussion has featured on my other recordings. Hammond Organ player Pete Whittaker – well known in London as one of the best and busiest organ players. Just a day in the studio was all we had and so the vibe of the rhythm section is reflective of a “live” sound. John Hoare is a sensitive yet inventive player trumpet player, whose tasteful licks and solos provide the perfect foil. The repertoire is drawn from inspirations thanks to Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn and Miriam Aida.

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