I’ve had the chance to see Kim Massie perform several times in St. Louis. I leave each performance amazed, delighted and quite perplexed. How can that much voice be packed into just one woman? My answer came with her latest release, Attitude.
Viewed as a staple on the St. Louis blues scene, Attitude shows a side of Massie that may have been previously unknown to music lovers. Recorded live at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, Massie offers a well-chosen collection of both jazz and blues songs that remarkably compliment her vocal dynamics.
Playing the musical temptress, Massie lets her voice purr with songs like "Temptation" and "Fever." By comparison, she floats through "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Dance with My Father" with eloquence and grace. Songs that are familiar to the heart are also pleasing renewed to the ears. Arrangements of "I Am a Woman" and "Peel Me a Grape" give listeners a true taste of what this diva can do. The band and supporting musicians stay tight and warmly free-spirited throughout the various tracks. You get a sense that there is joy and confidence in this performance by everyone involved.
With the release of Attitude, Massie successfully demonstrates that she is a uniquely talented songstress that easily harnesses the powerhouse within. Perhaps we could all benefit from a little Attitude.
