KAREN MACK

CATCH & KEEP

KmackMusic

Karen Mack, vocals; Peter Eldridge, piano/organ; Jesse Lewis, guitars; Matt Aronoff, upright bass; Jaren Schonig, drums/percussion; Ben Wittman, percussion. SPECIAL GUESTS: Darmon Meader, saxophones; Nadje Noordhuis, trumpet flugelhorn; Elliot Roth, piano/vocals.

Karen Mack conceived this album with her mother-in-law in mind.  She wanted to record a bunch of jazz standards as a gift to her husband’s mom for her birthday.  She was thinking EP, maybe five or six songs.  So, Mack and her good friend, pianist/producer, Peter Eldridge, began work on the project.  It soon became apparent they had enough songs picked for a full album. That’s how “Catch & Keep” came to fruition.

There is something comfortable about Karen Mack’s voice, when she sings “Imagination,” on top of a very original arrangement that carries me back to the 1960s Rock/Pop era. It reminds me of the Mamas and Papas who were headlined by the pretty voice of Mama Cass.  There is something nostalgic and pop about this arrangement.

On the other hand, Mack’s opening tune clearly establishes that this vocalist can swing.  “Nothing Like You” is a great opener for her album. Mack has a bright, crystal-clear vocal style and a relaxed delivery that sells her songs.  I believe her when she sings the opening verse to the Harry Warren/Mack Gordon standard, “This is Always.”  She has a little girl, Blossom Dearie kind of voice.  Karen Mack could easily crossover to the pop world.  I hear her lean into folk/pop music on her original song that she co-wrote with Peter Eldridge and Elliot Roth called “November Day.”

She’s back to jazz on her other original song called “Hurry Up and Wait.”  Karen Mack swings free and easy on this tune with catchy lyrics and an impressive saxophone solo by Darmon Meader.  Matt Aronoff walks briskly on his upright bass, locking the groove in with Jaren Schonig’s dynamic drums. Together they pump this tune up beneath Mack’s jazzy delivery. This is a very well-written song and quickly becomes another favorite from Karen Mack’s sophomore album. Peter Eldrige is the co-writer and also plays piano and organ on this project. He’s also a founding member of the internationally acclaimed vocal group, New York Voices.

Mack currently has a residency at Pangea in New York City’s East Village with pianist and vocalist Elliot Roth, who sings a duet with her on the bonus track of this album.

I was pleasantly surprised to see they had covered a song by Southern California’s own singer/songwriter and living legend, Betty Bryant. I love Betty’s writing.  She generally has a tongue-in-cheek humor peeking through her catchy lyrics.  Mack’s vocals match the very well-written, Bryant composition called “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye.”

Karen Mack won a Bistro Award for her versatility in 2024. Mack’s ability to sing everything from the Great American Songbook to contemporary jazz and pop/rock shines on this project.  Her voice and repertoire are both appealing and entertaining.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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