SONGOFTHEWEEK: “Glimpse” by the Voodoo Katz
The Voodoo Katz perform at Capitol Roasters and the Empty Glass on Saturday to mark the release of their new “Glimpse” CD. Photos by Jeff Pierson
Listen to the title cut off the new Voodoo Katz “Glimpse” CD
By Adam Harris
For the Gazette
When the Voodoo Katz release their new CD “Glimpse” this Saturday, Nov. 3 they’ll be celebrating more than their own musical accomplishments. “Glimpse” contains some of the last recordings made by local music luminary Derick Kirk (at right), who played in numerous area bands before succumbing to cancer at the age of 28 in July.
It’s a bittersweet celebration. The album stands as a worthy testament to a talented musician. The sound reflects the positive outlook he personified in the face of his illness.
The Katz will release “Glimpse” with two shows on Saturday. The first is at Capitol Roasters at 7 p.m., followed by second show 10:30 p.m. at the Empty Glass. A portion of the CD’s proceeds will benefit the Kirk family to offset the remaining cost of Kirk’s treatments.
Kirk continued to record throughout his cancer treatments. Despite the hardship, he added an unmistakable charm to the group’s sound, from the breezy intro to “Let it Pass” to the lyrical coda of “Sandy Girl.” Kirk also sang vocals and added keyboards to some songs to fill out the group’s ensemble sound. “Derick definitely brought the jazzier edge to what we do,” drummer Ammed Solomon agreed. “He changed the group’s sound in that respect.”
“I’m a lot better musician just from being around him,” Guitarists Andy Park added. “I hope that some of Derick is in my playing from now on.”
Like the band and like Kirk, the album’s message is hopeful. The songs on “Glimpse” have a central theme of love and spirituality. Katz Guitarist Andy Park said the same spirit lives on in the band members. Solomon agreed. “The overall energy of this band has always been positive. Something about this band when we get on stage, it happens. That magic takes off.”
The magic is something all the members will cherish all the more closely with the perspective they’ve gained from losing a friend. “It just underscores nothing in this world is certain,” Park said. “We need to make the best of every moment with those we play music with and with everyone in our lives.”
IF YOU GO: Voodoo Katz CD release party for “Glimpse” is Saturday, Nov. 3, at Capitol Roasters, corner of Quarrier and Summers St. 8 p.m. No cover. Also, at The Empty Glass, Elizabeth Street, 10:30 p.m. Cover $7.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:50 pm
[…] Catch up with The Voo Doo Katz at Soundcheck. They’re holding a pair of CD release shows Saturday! Well worth checking out. […]
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:58 am
We need to see these guys on Radio Free Charleston already. Two of this town’s most eclectic treats.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:43 am
[…] We also have the VooDoo Katz. The Katz are Mark Davis-vocals and percussion, Deron Sodaro-vocals, bass and percussion, Ammed Solomon-drums, Andy Park-guitar and vocals, and Kai Haynes, bass, vocals and percussion. You may have read about their new CD over in the Soundcheckgazz blog last week. The performance we feature on the show was recorded live at the LaBelle Theater in South Charleson on Sept. 9 at the Leigh Bowlin Support Concert. The band was not at full strength that night. Ammed couldn’t make it. However, they still sounded fantastic. Deron Sodaro took over lead vocal duties from Mark Davis for the Kai Haynes song, “Magic,” which is featured on their new CD, “Glimpse.” […]
December 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
[…] Artist: Voodoo Katz (www.voodookatz.com) Album: “Glimpse” (self-produced) LISTEN: Hear the first track off the CD […]