Ann Kittredge’s Romantic Notions

For the follow up to her award-winning debut album re-IMAGINE, Ann Kittredge wanted her new album, Romantic Notions, to be even more diverse and ambitious, featuring a wider display of rhythms and sentiments. She has brought her most recent album to life, receiving rave reviews at the premiere at Birdland earlier this year.

Although you’ll find a few of the requisite love songs, the title is meant to be far more catholic and all-encompassing. Besides the basic tropes of love, Ann gives musical voice to the seesawing emotional underpinnings that fuel, and sometimes dismantle, relationships. There are songs by recognized giants from Pop (Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Carole King Jimmy Webb, and Billy Joel,) as well as formidable figures from the world of Country music (John Prine, Jon Vezner and Don Henry) and, in one instance, a less well known but stellar contributor from the pop music canon (Darnell White). All of these writers have been treated with Ann’s unwavering musical sensitivity, respect – and the unmistakable inevitability of artistry and talent. Marilyn Lester of NiteLife Exchange called it a “Thrilling show!” and “This the singer delivered with a natural grace and authenticity tinged with a terrific sense of humor and humility. Kittredge is also blessed with a clear, operatic-style soprano that adjusts perfectly to pop and standards with range. A pop tune, “Didn’t We,” written in 1967 by Jimmy Webb (listen to the first recording by James Darren) and now a modern standard, was sung with an achingly intimate take.”