Cathy Segal-Garcia - Social Anthems, Volume 2
Cathy Segal-Garcia - Social Anthems, Volume 2
(Dash Hoffman Records, 2024)
Cathy Segal-Garcia has put together an impressive discography over the last decade: In2uition (Dash Hoffman Records, 2017), The Jazz Chamber (Dash Hoffman Records, 2018), Dreamsville (Dash Hoffman Records, 2019), Social Anthems, Volume 1 (Origin Records, 2021), Live in Japan (Origin Records, 2022). Social Anthems, Volume 1 featured Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth” and keen mash up of the Youngbloods’ “Get Together” with Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home.” Volume 2 seeks more elusive fruit, songs precious to Segal-Garcia.
With this recording, Segal-Garcia recasts familiar songs in the guise of other artists. After transforming Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” from a love song into an international political mantra in her smoothest voice tempered by Nick Mancini’s vibraphone. They sharpened Marvin Gaye's definitive statement, "Inner City Blues/Make Me Wanna Holler," turning it into a Les McCann "Compared To What" funkfest propelled by Will Brahm's palm-muted guitar figure..
The wonderful Mon David joins Segal-Garcia on Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” again nudging Wonder’s original intention into a softer, gospel-tinged direction. guided by Carey Frank’s Hammond B3, pushed along by Brahm’s muted chords. Lattice like, the song remains potently effective. Segal-Garcia welcomes Paul Jost on a second Peter Gabriel offering “The Book Of Love.” Jost insinuates himself like a lover into Segal-Garcia’s vision, weaving in and out of the most elaborate arrangement on the disc. Segal Garcia transforms Stephen Still's "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" into an untethered song of wonder and suspicion.. The most inventive and potent song is the intersection of Sting’s “Russians,” Segal-Garcia’s “My Russia,” and a ripple of Serge Prokofiev on “Russians/My Russia.” If this collection has a heartbeat, this is it.