Good music captivates, but great music puts you under a spell. And that’s exactly what Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz accomplish with Genevieve & Ferdinand, a beautifully bewitching album that is simply stellar.
The record title comes from the name the duo performs under, but why Genevieve and Ferdinand? Genevieve is actually McGarry’s middle name. As for Ferdinand, on her site McGarry writes: “Keith has always reminded me of Ferdinand, the peaceful bull from that old children’s book who only wants to sit under a tree and smell the flowers while the other bulls are fighting.” Together, both names evoke an organic atmosphere of free spiritedness and purity, much like a slow breeze in nature. This is the closest way to describe how it feels to listen to this album.
With this release, the international jazz artist and her insanely talented guitarist husband perform an intimate set of eclectic tracks recorded live in concert at Soundpure Studios in Durham, North Carolina; that is, except for the album’s opening number which was done at home in only one take. However, if you think you’ll be able to pin down the genre for Genevieve & Ferdinand just as quickly, don’t bother. Blending folk, jazz and pop, with Brazilian elements thrown in for good measure, you don’t need to know what you’re listening to because your ears are in for a treat regardless.
Every song on the record is a highlight thanks to the way McGarry & Ganz play off each other. Ganz brings a subtle sophistication with his fingerpicking style of playing, complementing the eloquence of McGarry’s voice. Her phrasing is truly intoxicating, as is the way she controls her range. Every inflection in sound or pitch is full of emotion, emphasizing the authenticity of her words. “Ten Little Indians” is the perfect example of this. One of the album’s two original tracks, it pays tribute to her parents and the loving impact they made on McGarry and her nine siblings before passing.
Other noteworthy mentions include a haunting cover of Irving Berlin’s “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.” Its dark undertones and melodic and rhythmic themes make it a sensory feast for listeners. The arrangement for Todd Rundgren’s “Pretending to Care” is absolutely unforgettable. Experimental vocalist Theo Bleckmann and Australian singer Gian Slater join McGarry for this track which is packed with layers of harmonies that are quite magical. And of course, I can’t forget to include their energetic medley of Torinho Horta’s and Pat Metheny’s “Aquelas Coisas Todas/ Third Wind/ Aqui O” featuring McGarry’s soulful scat runs.
The album’s piece de resistance though is a smoldering interpretation of Jerome Kern’s and Oscar Hammerstein’s classic, “Can’t Help Loving That Man.” McGarry’s love for her husband of 10 years is clearly obvious as she delivers the lyrics. Lending a jazzy flair to Ganz’s stripped down, acoustic accompaniment, McGarry sings from the heart as if the song was written especially for them.
Heartfelt and elegant, Genevieve & Ferdinand is simply perfection.
For more information on Genevieve & Ferdinand please visit McGarry’s website.
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