Ann Kittredge
ReIMAGINE
(King Kozmo Music)
February 3, 2023
Reviewed by John Hoglund
Imagination begins with one thought. On her debut album, reIMAGINE, singer Ann Kittredge offers a select grouping of songs that prove to be an out-of-the-ordinary treat. It’s presented like a well-honed cabaret act, and it’s all served up with stylish imagery that makes it stand out. With her an impressive lyric soprano voice, Kittredge brings established songs to life with subtle nuances and intelligent phrasing that sparkles. The 13-track album reinvents some familiar pop songs, along with some from Broadway and Off-Broadway and some movie gems in exceptional arrangements by Christopher Denny, Wendy Bobbit, and Alex Rybeck. The album was produced by Paul Rolnick.
Kittredge is a refined storyteller who has had considerable stage experience. She is also an old-fashioned lady with a penchant for vintage romance in song. She recalls the evergreen “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life” from Naughty Marietta. This gem, made famous on film in 1935 by Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy, is here wistfully sung with brio as if it were on today’s hit parade. Written by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young in 1910, this love ditty opens softly, accompanied by Sean Harkness’ longing guitar licks. Kittredge lures the listener in as she warmly weaves the romantic narrative. That is her strength, and it is repeated throughout the disc.
After her lively rendition of “Snow” by Irving Berlin from the 1956 film White Christmas (beautifully arranged by Rybeck), she offers some engaging information about Berlin’s “Free,” telling the interesting story of how this song for Call Me Madam was cut. Later, it was reinvented by the songwriter as a prayer-like ode to freedom, and Kittredge sings it in another clever reimagining. She is so good at delivering patter that it elevates the throughline to a higher level and simply lets it flow the way it should in any well-structured act. Making it work on a recording is a challenge, but she handles it with flair and it adds to this well-defined album.
Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle” is a perfect choice to complement the mellow flavor of the songs. She continues to honor the past with her pristine phrasing that brings the folk-rock tune home in an arrangement by Cavett and Kittredge. Harkness and Denny’s arrangement of “Before I Gaze at You Again” from Camelot is given a delicate treatment, and it’s another highlight thanks to her lilting legato. It is yet another welcome treat on an intelligent debut album marked for greatness.
There are many other surprises here making this album a must-have. She wraps it up with a glorious “Edelweiss” (Rodgers and Hammerstein) from 1959’s The Sound of Music. Joined by cabaret royalty Steve Ross and tenderly arranged by him and Denny, it is the perfect ending to this journey back in time by a romantic singer whose shimmering voice is worthy of more attention. Whatever is next on her musical journey will be interesting and eagerly awaited.
