Winter Soulstice
88, 2022
9/10
The singer-songwriter and pianist Kelley Hunt has done much in her lengthy and esteemed career, but, until now, a holiday album hasn’t been one of them, and she’s got some of Kansas City’s best along with her for the originals and standards.
“Go Tell It On The Mountain” opens the listen with a vibrant, gospel feeling, where her soulful voice is met with Brandon Graves’ lively drumming and booming brass, and “Ancient Bell” follows with Hunt’s warm keys and intimate singing in the powerful, expressive climate.
At the halfway point, “Bright Lights” benefits much from Hunt’s firm piano, eloquent pipes and the cello-violin duo The Wires adding much beauty to the album highlight, while “Silent Night” puts a very spiritual spin on the classic with a stirring mood.
At the end, “You You You” rumbles louder with textured, soulful rock and vocal harmonies from Wanda Jae and Allena Ross, and two different versions of “Auld Lang Syne” finish the affair, where one unfolds like a hymn, and other is lively, infectious and will get your body moving to the frisky sax and rollicking rhythm section.
A very diverse listen, we’re treated to both balladry and swift tunes, and the very precise musicianship from Hunt and company makes for a very distinct version of Americana that is so much more than just another holiday record destined for background music.
Travels well with: Janiva Magness- Hard To Kill; Ruthie Foster- Healing Time