KATHLEEN WILLIAMSON: Love is Best of All

Kathleen Williamson

Love is Best of All

© 2002 Kathleen Williamson/ ASCAP (659057424729)

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eclectic folk jazz blues with a story, a beat, and a pinch of philosophy

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Love is Best of All won the 2003 TAMMIES Award (Tucson Area Music Awards) for Best CD and Best Songwriter.

Kathleen Williamson was awarded a 2004 nad 2005 ASCAPLUS award by the American Society of Composers and Publishers. The ASCAPLUS is a cash award granted by ASCAP to support and encourage writers of serious music. The award is made by an independent panel of music scholars and professionals. It is based on the unique prestige value of each writer's catalog of original compositions and works performed substantially in media not typically surveyed by ASCAP. Kathleen extends a wholehearted thank you to ASCAP. Visit www.kathleenwilliamson.com or www.sonicbids.com for more info.

Bio: In November 2002, rock/folk/jazz performing songwriter Kathleen Williamson released her critically acclaimed and award winning debut CD in Europe and in the United States. Co-produced by Lisa Otey, love is best of all (Owl's Nest ), heralds a diverse but integrated variety of "post-modem" (a kathleenism) Americana styles consisting of heartfelt original songs. The styles range from what she calls "blues for post-modems" to "Zen-Irish" to US/Mex border country "pinkgrass" to "Raga&Roll" (coined by Pete Fine) to "fem-hop" to a straight on bossa nova with japanese pillow book lyrical imagery, and more; all employed to construct her moving ballads and shuck-jive dance tunes. Kathleen presents excellently produced arrangements, intelligent and humorous lyrics, and compelling grooves. Although a powerful live performer, who takes total control of a crowd with just her vocals and acoustic guitar, for xlove is best of allx Kathleen gathered her favorite Tucson musicians to obtain the perfect musical theatre for each of these songs.

love is best of all won the 2003 TAMMIES Best CD. Kathleen also earned 2003 TAMMIES BEST SONGWRITER AND 2003 TAMMIES BEST UP-AND-COMING ARTIST. She also earned the runner-up best vocalist, right behind co-producer and guest artist Lisa Otey, who took 2003 TAMMIES BEST VOCALIST, BEST KEYBOARDIST, AND BEST LOUNGE ACT. Lisa also earned the 2003 TAMMIES HALL OF FAME. Kathleen & Lisa, as a duo, are also the CHAMPIONS of statewide 2003 ARIZONA BLUES SHOWDOWN held at the Rythym Room in Phoenix in September and participated in the International Blues Showdown in Memphis in January 2004.
Kathleen began her music career in the late 60's in her native New York City, forming high school basement rock and roll bands, playing open mikes in Greenwich Village, and writing songs of love and protest. She was heavily influenced by contemporary folk, soul, jazz, and rock music. In 1974, Kathleen took her guitar to Jerome, Arizona, where she was further influenced by her mentor and friend, the renowned folk indie pioneer Katie Lee. In 1978, Kathleen toured Ireland for five months and won the prestigious Cailean Deas Balladeering Competition in Westport, Mayo. Later that year, she joined forces with the late legendary Joe Wolverton, jazz guitar virtuoso and teacher of Les Paul. Alongside her own successful solo act, she worked regularly with Joe until 1986, touring in Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, Korea, and Samoa. During the late 70s through the latter part of the 80s, Kathleen was one of the most popular solo performing acts in Central and Northern Arizona, where she regularly packed the larger venues with attentive audiences. Kathleen headlined the first Annual Guam Jazz Festival in 1983 and also was a headliner for the first Tucson Folk Festival in 1986. In the late 80's and through the 90's, she relocated to Tucson and earned doctorates in law and cultural anthropology.

Since 2000, Kathleen increased her performances both here and in Europe. Her recent performances as a solo and/or with Owl's Nest Recording Artist and founder Lisa Otey include fine listening regional eateries such as Janos Restaurant and Cushing St. Pub in Tucson and Charly's Pub in Flagstaff, as well as regional and international appearances, including the Tucson Folk Festival, the Tucson Blues Festival, the Tucson Acoustic Blues Showcase, the Benson Blues Festival, Silver City Blues Festival, the Café Central in Madrid, the Edmonton Jazz Society, the Jazz en Artois, Blues Sur Seine, and Cognac Blues Passion festivals in France, and the Boogie & Blues Night at Schouwburg De Meerse in Hoofddorp, Netherlands.

Kathleen and Lisa's dramatic performance of their original song "I Can See the New View," which is on "love is best of all," is one of the fine selections also included in KXCI-FM Tucson Folk Festival Collection CD released in May 2003. Info at www.kxci.org.

Kathleen Williamson was awarded a 2004 ASCAPLUS award by the American Society of Composers and Publishers. The ASCAPLUS is a cash award granted by ASCAP to support and encourage writers of serious music. The award is made by an independent panel of music scholars and professionals. It is based on the unique prestige value of each writer's catalog of original compositions and works performed substantially in media not typically surveyed by ASCAP. Kathleen extends a wholehearted thank you to ASCAP.

"My Hometown," one of Kathleen's original songs, about the production of war in Tucson and its export to Iraq as experienced by a television watcher empathizing with the suffering of both desert environments and cultures, has been included in a new KXCI-FM CD compilation titled "One Song at a Time." You can purchase this excellent CD, recorded live in KXCI's Studio B and which includes songs by Kevin Pakulis, Nancy McCallion, Michelle Shocked and many fine songwriters, by contacting KXCI at www.kxci.org. (Release party will be on Oct 21 2004 at THE Plush, see below). "My Hometown," was also recently featured on Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now!" which is broadcast on over 200 television and radio stations across the United States and Canada. www.democracynow.org. Visit KXCI.ORG for info on the compilation "One Song at a Time" featuring Kathleen and many other artists, including Kevin Pakulis, Michelle Shocked, Joey Burns, Calexico, Nancy McCallion, Namoli Brennett. Kathleen's "My Hometown" is one of the songs featured on the new compilation CD. (see below).


"Love is Best of All" musicians include:
* Nashville Hall of Famer Hal Rugg on pedal steel and dobro. He has returned to Tucson after 40 years of recording and playing with everyone from Patsy Cline to k.d.lang.
Lisa Otey, Tucson's award-winning favorite chanteuse and blues sister, who also co-produced the CD and has six of her own CDs with Owl's Nest Productions
* Ed Delucia, one of Tucson's prominent jazz and blues guitarists.
* Ed Friedland, a nationally respected bass player who writes for Bass Player magazine
* Jon Westfall, the piston and showman of versatile drummers, who regularly plays with Lisa Otey and has his own band, Urban Rhythm Trio
* Pete Fine: a great guitarist who turned to sitar several years ago
* Todd Hammes: one of Tucson's top drummers, who is also a devoted and innovative player of tabla
* The Flying Rosanno Triplets: of Craw-Daddy-O fame, appear on this CD playing sousaphone, clarinet, and trumpet
* The Tucson Symphony Orchestra String Quartet
* Gillian DeLear, borrowed from the Betty Diamond band for drums, percussion, and synth
* Steve Grams, bass player for the Fluffingtons, and Grams and Krieger fame on several bass tracks
* Nancy McCAllion, of the internationally reknown "Mollys" on penny whistle
* Danny Krieger, contributes his salty tenor background vocals to the song "An Hour to Maggie"
* Linda Ackermann on accordion and her daughter, Elise Ackermann on violin
* and the beat goes on!!! Karin Hendricks, Moniq Tijerano, and Diane Polakowski add background vocals.
* Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Tucson's finest, Jim Brady Recording Studios.
* Co produced by Kathleen Williamson and Lisa Otey. Album is a digipack, six page full color, with lyrics.

reviews

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  • Blending music from around the world
    author: Melesa Hamer - Flagstaff Live

    Hints of Eastern Music lull the listener into a hypnotically groovy trance. Old-school blues remind you of a smoky backroom jazz club where Duke Ellington might once have sung. Subtle hints of hip-hop get you shaking to the beat. What performer could hit all these different styles and blend them so seamlessly together? Kathleen Williamson. It is a complex background of influences and styles which lends Williamson’s set list such amazing diversity. Williamson’s style is so broad across the spectrum of genres there’s bound to be something everyone loves. Her new CD, “Love is Best of All,” features 10 incredible originals. It reflects her vast world experiences and eclectic musical expressions. When asked to describe her music, Williamson offers up that this blending of styles has resulted in new genres, such as “raga and roll, Zen Irish, border country, pinkgrass, fem-hop and urban folk.” Melesa Hamer -- From Flagstaff Live -

  • mesmerizing
    author: Banisa Saint Damian

    "Love is Best of All" MESMERIZED me. Each individual piece stands successfully alone, several of them as jewels for the heart that hears. We played the CD for the several hours of drive through the pristine white of Northern Vermont on our way to Sugar Bush, and the melodies haunted me as we skiied and snowshoed in the clear silence. I like so many of the songs, but right now the one stuck in my head is "I can see the new view." It is a masterpiece. Dr. Erica Banisa Saint Damian, Pair o' Docs Productions, New Hampshire

  • Love is Best of All is a Triumph for Williamson
    author: Gene Armstrong of the Tucson Weekly

    Love Is Best of All, Kathleen Williamson. Owl’s Nest Productions. The primary strength of this album is its stylistic diversity. Listening to its combination of folk, country, pop, jazz, novelty and blues, listeners may feel that they are stuck in the corner of a comfy pub with the coolest jukebox in town. Better still is that many of Kathleen Williamson’s songs, which frankly are too sophisticated and complex to become Top 40 hits, take on new and deeper meaning on repeated listening. Throughout the CD, the core band – pianist Lisa Otey, drummer John Westfall and bassist Ed Friedland – does a marvelous job of creating and evoking a variety of moods and settings. The album starts out with a welcome surprise – the Indian-inflected title track, which is backed by local group Sanjaya (Pete Fine, sitar; Todd Hammes, tabla; Stefin Gordon, tamboura). Against this tapestry, Williamson weaves a mantra-like, impressionistic chant that isn’t so much a pop song as it is a tone poem about the “cornucopia” that is a life filled with love. Sweet-tempered cocktail jazz with a Brazilian lilt is the vehicle for the sultry “Secret Song.” Guitarist Ed Delucia shines here, as he does throughout. Jazz is further explored in a whimsical fashion on “Jazz Fiesta Show,” a high-energy romp – composed for a jazz festival, in fact – that name-checks bundles of classic jazz tunes. What could have been a throwaway novelty has become a joyful, unself-conscious celebration and some pretty cool abstract poetry: “’Round midnight, scotch and soda / Takin’ five, when Sonny gets the blues / Nefertiti, Mr. PC, freedom jazz dance, since I fell for you.” Then comes time for the rapping. No, that’s not a typo, Williamson does a “suave” mumbling sort of rap over the funky “Big Deal Small Talk,” a hilarious rumination on those empty conversations of meaningless chatter and the empty people who inhabit them. Although the music bops and rolls, it also is infused by Lisa Otey’s salsa-style piano playing. Her rap flow is even more convincing on “I Can’t Make a Livin’ Lovin’ You,” an exploration of lower-socioeconomic realities that balances blues and hip-hop, as well as featuring potent saxophone and flute by Hurricane Carla Brownlee. “The Stars Draw Near” is a jaunty, ambitious track that is ostensibly a Western tune, but evolves into something greater. While Williamson adopts a sweet, slightly updated version of an Appalachian vocal melody, it’s filled with cool guest stars, most notably music-biz veteran Hall Rugg, who contributes pedal steel and Dobro, as well as the fabulous Rosano Triplets on horns. This impeccably crafted work explores in beautiful symbolism a longtime love and the forces that strive to divide it. And there’s a subversive musicological element in the way Williamson throws into the break a German polka followed by a mariachi interlude, eventually bringing the two styles together in a rollicking finish. “I Can See the New View,” an example of restrained, awe-filled Americana, juxtaposes the immigrant experience with the aftermath of 9/11. Beautiful, warm melodies make the perfect couch for Williamson’s dusky alto. Love is Best of All is a triumph for Williamson. -- Gene Armstrong

  • author: Sing Out! Magazine

    SING OUT! MAGAZINE FALL 03--"Combining world mysticism, soul, and jazz, Kathleen Williamson brings a new relevance to the word "eclectic." The title track harks back to George Harrisons's sitar-tinged work; 'Secret Song' recalls Astrud Gilberto; and 'Big Deal Small Talk' combines funky guitar and rap. Love may be best of all, but genre hopping is lots of fun, too."- RL

  • And to think that I knew her when.
    author: Charles Auerbach

    The CD was professionally mastered, and is being played constantly in my automobile. I think it is great. In addition, I was very happy to learn that the CD is dedicated to the memory of my late best friend, Albert T. Sabin.

  • A finely crafted CD
    author: Lynnette Bennet (Desert BluesBeat)

    Love is Best of All Kathleen Williamson CD Review by Lynnette Bennett – “Desert Bluesbeat” Aug/Sept 2003 (Tucson Blues Society) If you didn’t already know Kathleen Williamson has eclectic interests, you’ll discover that about this singer/songwriter/guitarist right out of the gate with her release Love is Best of All. It's such a finely crafted CD, and what a treat to listen to an educated thinker. The title track, a stream of phrases and symbolisms that detail love’s riches, is an appealing mantra accompanied by sitar, tabla and tambour. From there the journey winds through folk, blues, jazz - and one, The Stars Draw Near, that combines country, polka and mariachi (believe it!) - on its approach to the closing Celtic song, An Hour to Maggie. Along the way there’s time to be playful, contemplative, smooth, sassy and to advocate. I enjoyed every song and several tracks stand out but none more than I Can See the New View, a metaphor–laden tribute to 9/11. To two 9/11s actually: the 2001 date we’re familiar with, and another in 1605 when Henry Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon, first sailed into New York. This understated yet powerful testament to the hope and faith that we can build a peaceful existence on this shared earth is alone worth the price of the album. Co-authored by Lisa Otey, whose piano work shines here, I Can See the New View is brilliantly written, masterfully arranged, beautifully orchestrated and movingly delivered. It’s one of those songs you hear once in awhile where the music contributes to a story rather than simply backs a singer. In this instance violins, cello, viola, guitar and bass delicately fill in what’s left unspoken and keep the listener anchored to developments. Written from juxtaposing perspectives of an immigrant arriving at the New York coastline and Statue of Liberty upon escaping violence in the country of birth, and that of another perishing in the violent tragedy in the Twin Towers, Williamson puts the listener inescapably in the moment of each. The gentle and tender storytelling is unexpected, belying the complexities presented while underscoring the message. We’ve all heard a lot of 9/11 tribute songs but this is far and away my favorite. You will be touched the first time you listen… and the hundredth. Another favorite is I Can’t Make a Livin’ Lovin’ You, a Hip-Hop flavored ditty about some of the barriers, decisions and bureaucracies a pregnant woman with four kids faces when needing out of an abusive relationship. Despite the subject matter, it has an infectious rhythm and the accompaniment of a cool backing vocal chorus. The contributions from “Hurricane” Carla Brownlee on flute and sax are downright awesome, maintaining important undertones of the story. This is a real yummy tune; you just go right on makin’ a scene, Kathleen! The production is good quality throughout and the entire CD is a great listen; you’ll want the replay button close at hand. Williamson wrote all of the 10 songs and they are excellent showcases for her strong, clear voice. I especially appreciated that each song differed in vocal intensity, range and style and think you’ll like that uniqueness about the CD too. And if you’re inclined to unravel nuances, you’ll find every song layered upon layer of insight, concern and the interesting contrast of revelations about social issues set to danceable music. All the songs on the CD aren’t blues but they are what blues is all about. In addition to guest players mentioned above, others you’re familiar with include Ed DeLucia, Nancy McCallion, Danny Krieger, the Rosano brothers, Steve Grams, Gillian DeLear and Jon Westfall. And there are more that you may want to become familiar with after this.

  • Olvidando los malos momentos
    author: NO TE ECHES LA SIESTA radio show (Santos Suárez, Madrid)

    Como reza el título "Love is best of all"(el amor es lo mejor de todo), en tiempos de distorsión social lo mejor es refugiarse en el amor. Kathleen nos ofrece un repertorio que va desde las influencias de George Harrison hasta el rap, pasando por el blues,country, hot-jazz y la canción lenta. Especialmente destacable la canción "I can See The New View" (merecedora de cualquier tipo de premio) que nos anima a reconstruir un mundo que se derrumba. Canciones para reir, llorar, soñar y bailar, con una estupenda producción y acompañada de grandes músicos interpretando un repertorio elaborado por Kathleen que recoge la evolución del mundo de la música en USA en las últimas décadas. Comprar el cd y tendréis un compendio de estilos musicales fabulosamente interpretados por una mujer que lleva la música en las venas.

  • Fab!
    author: BEV SECKINGER, Musician, Professor Media Arts & dashing gal abo

    Fabulous variety in the songwriting, strong arrangements, and ace musicianship (not to mention a very attractive cover).

  • author: Scott Barker, Tucson Lifestyle, March 2003

    It's easy to run out of superlatives trying to describe Kathleen Williamson. She's as smart as a room full of Nobel Laureates, has a sly sense of humor, and is an uncommonly talented musician/singer/songwriter. She also loves to stretch her boundaries, which is one of the things that makes her new CD -- Love is Best of All (Owl's Nest Productions) -- so much fun. Williamson moves effortlessly between song styles on this album, working in genres as diverse as smooth jazz ("Secret Song"), Eastern ("Love is Best of All"), country ("The Stars Draw Near"), and gently rockin' blues ("I Didn't Know What I Was In For"). Her core band includes pianist/vocalist Lisa Otey, drummer Jon Westfall, and bassist Ed Friedland. They're joined by everyone from Pete Fine on sitar to the Tucson Symphony Orchestra String Quartet to Hurrican Carla Brownlee on flute and sax. The disc was recorded, engineered and mastered by the multitalented Jim Brady, and the cool portrait photos are by Deb Whalen.

  • In ten words or less? One: "WOW!!!"
    author: Lane Aldridge, Tucson, AZ

    I had seen Kathleen on stage several times, in the company of Lisa Otey, so I knew she was talented. I knew she was funny. I knew she had "presence" on stage (and how!). And I knew she was a songwriter--from Lisa Otey's CDs. Then her own LOVE IS BEST OF ALL came out. In spite of all I (thought I) already knew, I listened to it and kept hearing myself say, "Wow!" There's love, there's fun, there's sadness, there's politics--none of it offered as a smack-in-the-face blow, but as a caress -- through a voice with a timbre that makes one listen all the way from the soul. This is a CD that affected me not unlike my first introduction to Ferron, years ago, and I dare say it provides a heads up to "what WE're in for": THIS "star draws near"! Keep it coming, Kathleen.

  • A diverse and wonderful entertaining CD that electrify the soul.
    author: Sadelle McAndrew

    It is a great CD with sounds from all around the world. As I grew you in Ireland I can hear the some of the Irish music in the songs. A CD for all ages full of love and laughter.

  • Eclectic Electric & Acoustic!! It's Great &Universal!
    author: Claire Jinks

    I loved the diversity! It touches all my emotions. Kathleen & all her Musician sound like they love music & reach your soul! Kathleens voice is the best I've heard in Years Recommend to All!

  • I was both moved and inspired. Kathleen continues to unfold magically as an amaz
    author: ann v. quinlan
  • Terrific !! Enormous content---wonderful arrangements--talented voice.
    author: Roberta Anderson

    Astounding eclectic original selections. I can't keep it off my player. Is this a first? I would love to have more !!!

  • author: Fred DELFORGE, France

    Difficile de faire bref quand on parle de Kathleen Williamson tant la dame force le respect … Avant tout, parce qu'elle est une des rares américaines à manger des escargots et à les aimer, mais surtout parce que c'est une formidable chanteuse qui laisse passer une foule d'émotion dans ses compositions. Aux côtés de l'artiste, on retrouve la fabuleuse Lisa Otey au piano, John Westfall à la batterie et Ed Friedland à la basse mais aussi une foule d'intervenants ponctuels. Enregistré et mixé à Tucson, Arizona, par Lisa Otey et Kathleen Williamson elle-même, " Love is the best of all " se veut une ode à la diversité des genres, faisant la part belle tant au blues et au jazz qu'à la musique orientale … Un exemple de musiques du monde un tantinet différent de ce qu'on a l'habitude de rencontrer au détour de nos platines. _Les connotations asiatiques du titre générique de l'album combleront d'entrée de jeu les amateurs de sonorités chaudes et subtiles. Les fans de morceaux langoureux et poignants craqueront à l'écoute de " I can see the new view ", " Didn't know what I was in for " ou " An hour to Maggie " tandis que les fondus de prouesses linguistiques s'extasieront au son des " Big deal small talk " et autres " Jazz fiesta show ". Il y en a pour tout le monde chez Kathleen Williamson et on assiste même à de fabuleux passages de blues rap ou à des envolées dignes des chevauchées épiques du far west … Les racines irlandaises de la chanteuse font régulièrement surface et une chose est certaine, on a pas fini de chercher à s'approprier l'album en cherchant si tout compte fait s'il ne serait pas plus jazz que blues ou plus celte que folk. Et si tout le monde s'accordait le plus simplement du monde à voir en " Love is the best of all " un excellent album tous styles confondus ? Fred DELFORGE - 21 Decembre 2002, http://www.zicazic.com

  • author: Av Quinlan, Boston

    Have been seeking Kathleen Williamson ---since I moved east last year! Kathleen Williamson is a rare talent. I have been honored to hear her perform live on a number of occasions She plays with joy, humor and passion. She arouses the deeper musical soul in those of us who only stand and cheer! Kathleen Williamson's musical journey continues to inspire me. She is generous with every note. She is worthy of great applause.

  • A Whole lotta must have great singing, songwriting, and music.
    author: Joan Calcagno, Tucson

    Kathleen Williamson’s new CD "Love Is Best Of All" is a must have. Eclectic, but not all-over-the-place, like some independently produced CDs can be. There is a tone and sensibility that keeps it all together—from the middle eastern flavored title cut, to a bosa nova beat, jazzy scat, plain ‘ol good time spunk n’ funk, to name a few, and—Kathleen’s own –"fem-hop." Kathleen’s voice and sense of style make them ALL really work. The musical arrangements and backup music are first rate (just look at the array of musicians involved and you’ll see why). There’s a discernible worldview here, but it’s not hit-me-over-the-head-with-politics. Of course, if you want additional insights, give a listen to "Don’t Make A Scene Kathleen" on Lisa Otey’s CD: Hard Workin’ Woman. The scene in Love Is Best Of All is a whole lotta great music and excellent songwriting.

  • As a long time fan of the artist this is definatley her greatest project
    author: Corinne Butler

    As a wholesale manager for a NY Ethereal Independant record lable I could not be more pleased with this release, not only does the album stand on its own as her best work to date but it is her first material to be released on CD. I recommend it highly to listeners and buyers as well. Her powerful voice and excellent production value create chilling waves comparable to a Blue-Grass oriented Sarah McLaughlin or Paula Cole with a hint of Etta James.

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