I've become aware of several events I'm looking forward to this concert season. I notice on Suzy Bogguss' website that she's got no less than 4 gigs in the state of Utah this year. She better get herself a permanent residence if this keeps up! Seriously, I know of no other artist on my list of favorites outside of the locals who play the state more than Suzy. Utah loves ya gal! This year she'll be in Vernal, Ogden, Heber City and Moab, in that order. I'll most likely take in her show at the Heber City cowboy poetry event much as I did last year since it's the closest to my home. Also at the Heber event this year will be an appearance by a Western Swing group I recently fell in love with thanks to an Amazon recommendation. They are the Quebe Sisters Band that consists of 3 sisters on fiddle and vocals with a guitar and bass player. They have an interesting sound vocally, much like the Andrews Sisters. Instrumentally I don't even know who they compare to! Just know it's way cool. I've got tickets for Stadium of Fire this year with a goodly number of family members. Who can resist the Beach Boys? OK, at this point maybe Beach Geezers is more fitting, but hey, it's the sound of my youth! I'm also committed to seeing Bonnie Raitt in August at Red Butte Garden. Love her sound! But maybe the coolest thing I've heard yet is that Katherine Jenkins will be in Utah soon. She let it slip during a recent 4 Utah interview with Mark Ballas. The reporter asked him when he'd be in state next due to the fact he's taught dance lessons here in the past. He said he had some classes he'd be teaching here soon. His DWTS partner Katherine, who was standing nearby, jumped in with the news that she'd also be coming to Utah to sing with the MormonTabernacle Choir in July. I questioned a friend at work who sings with the choir about it and he thought it probably meant she'd be coming for the Pioneer Day concert prior to the 24th of July that the choir does every year. They generally have a guest performer come. He hadn't hear who it was and indeed had no knowledge of her at all. He thought she probably spoke out of turn much as Natalie Cole had done prior to her appearance with the choir. I'm still waiting official word. An internet search will turn up nothing. Channel 4 must have been required to pull the interview. I'm very anxious to see the official announcement so I can be among the first to put in a ticket request. I'm stoked! I recently purchased Katherine's cd Daydream and am loving it to death. Talk about voice of an angel! I love the fact that she's a soprano with a mellow tone. She's been accused of not being dramatic enough, but I like that she sings with a bit of British reserve. I hope the U. S. finally will take a shine to her music. As a classical crossover artist, she's as good as it gets. Here's what Allmusic has to say about Daydream. I'm pretty much in agreement, so no need to write my own review:
Allmusic Review
Slightly tip-toeing away from the mainstream pop sound which saw her cover the likes of Evanescence and Queen on her last record, Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins' eighth studio album, Daydream, is largely a back-to-basics affair which pays homage to several of the songs which have inspired her glittering career. There are still a couple of crossover pop/rock efforts, such as the Radio 2-friendly "Can't Slow Down," the gentle piano balladry of "Your Silhouette," and a faithful cover version of Delta Goodrem's soaring, midtempo "Break It to My Heart." But Jenkins' powerful and enchanting tones have always appeared more comfortable when tackling material closer to her classically trained beginnings than on the attempts to crossover to the MOR pop world, something which she appears to have realized, judging by this fairly traditional set of songs. Alongside several compositions showcasing her multi-lingual skills, including Ennio Morricone's Italian-sung "L'alba Verra (The Dawn Will Come)," a rare French version of Les Miserables' signature tune, "I Dreamed a Dream" ("J'Avais Reve d'Une Autre Vie"), and two tracks recorded in her native Welsh tongue, "Love Divine (Hyfrydol)" and "Blaenwern" (the first time she's sung in Welsh since 2006's Serenade), there are string-soaked renditions of Celtic folk songs "Black Is the Colour" and "Carrickfergus," a brand new interpretation of "Ave Maria," and a moving take of Kismet show tune "And This Is My Beloved." But it's the closing number, "Abigail's Song," which will already be familiar to most Jenkins fans, that her stunning vocal presence really goes up a notch. Backed by some haunting choral chants and a magical arrangement from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, her contribution to the Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol soundtrack is arguably one of the strongest original songs of her career, and is a perfect way to finish a charming, highly personal, and well-crafted affair which proves that Jenkins is at her best when she embraces her classical roots.
Allmusic gives it 3.5 stars. I like it a little better than that and am giving it 4.5 stars.
Here's her live take on Ave Maria, a song that appears on the album:
