June 1998 Sara K - Hobo
Chesky
Jazz JD155
Released: 1997
by Steven Rochlin
steve@soundstage.com
Musical
Performance |
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Recording
Quality |
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Overall
Enjoyment |
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Even with
all the hype about the DAD disc (24-bit/96kHz) at the
WCES, Chesky has been using this technology for recording
for some time now. Sara K.'s newest CD (16-bit/44.1kHz) Hobo,
was recorded at the DAD standards by the highly respected
Bob Katz and then brought down to the CD's lower rates.
The CD has surely come a long way in sound quality, and
this recording shows it. Of course, having music as
wonderfully played as it is on Hobo doesn't hurt
either. Sara K. has this really mellow-yes, lustalicious-voice
that seems to call out to my more seductive side. Most of
you remember the song "Brick House." Usually I
hate covers, although Sara surely handles this one with
style. It starts out with acoustic bass layin' down the
bass rhythms, and then the band followed by Sara comes
in. She has this way of grabbing the flow of music and
making it shine with gusto when needed. There are small
and tasty riffs throughout--nothing that outwardly grabs
your attention, but they just are there in a great way.
Because Hobo was recorded in a church, it's very
airy-sounding, and there's good transparency all around.
"Oh Well" might
not immediately seem familiar until you hear it played.
We gen-Xers definitely remember the tune. Here are the
first few lines to shake the memory:
"Can't help it
'bout the shape I'm in
Can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to"
It's a great song and
lottsa fun. Musta played it over and over again five
times in a row (thank goodness for the repeat function on
my CD transport). The songs "If I Don't See You
Later" and "Hobo" are really mellow and
sweet-great for relaxin' to, especially during a mellow
night or rainy/snowy day. Beautiful musicianship, great
music-both recorded well. The hall can be a bit much, yet
we all have our preferences about "hall sound"
at times. What more can I say? I enjoy almost every song
on this new Sara K. recording and humbly recommend that
you check it out.
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