HI-FIDELITY DOTI-1001 LAUREN KINHAN CIRCLE IN A SQUARE CIRCLE MY PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY ANOTHER HILL TO CLIMB IN A CHASING THE SUN I’M LOOKIN’ FOR THAT NUMBER SQUARE TO LIVE OR DIE POCKETFUL OF HARLEM WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE TODAY CHAUSSURE’S COMPLEX BEAR WALK VANITY’S PARAMOUR THE DEEP WITHIN LAUREN

KINHAN CIRCLE IN A SQUARE

CIRCLE IN A SQUARE CHASING THE SUN Music by Lauren Kinhan & Ada Rovatti Music by Lauren Kinhan Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Andy Ezrin, piano Andy Ezrin, Fender Rhodes David Finck, bass Ben Wittman, drums + percussion Ben Wittman, drums + percussion Will Lee, bass Aaron Heick, alto flute Randy Brecker, trumpet Romero Lubambo, guitar Lauren Kinhan, Marlon Saunders, Ella Marcus, backround vocals I’M LOOKIN’ FOR THAT NUMBER Music & Lyric by Lauren Kinhan MY PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY Horn arrangement by Lauren Kinhan Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Andy Ezrin, piano and B3 organ Andy Ezrin, piano David Finck, bass David Finck, bass Ben Wittman, drums Ben Wittman, drums Donny McCaslin, tenor saxophone Joel Frahm, Soprano Saxophone John Bailey, flugel horn ANOTHER HILL TO CLIMB TO LIVE OR DIE Music & Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Music & Lyric by Lauren Kinhan String quartet arrangement by Rob Mounsey Andy Ezrin, piano Andy Ezrin, piano David Finck, bass David Finck, bass Ben Wittman, drums + percussion Ben Wittman, drums Romero Lubambo, guitar Sara Caswell (1st violin), Joseph Brent (2nd violin), Lois Martin (viola), Jody Redhage (cello) POCKETFUL OF HARLEM BEAR WALK Music by Lauren Kinhan & Andy Ezrin Music by Jiro Yoshida, Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Andy Ezrin, piano Andy Ezrin, piano Will Lee, bass Will Lee, bass Ben Wittman, drums Ben Wittman, drums + percussion Randy Brecker, trumpet Chuck Loeb, guitar Lauren Kinhan, background vocals VANITY’S PARAMOUR Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE TODAY Andy Ezrin, piano Music & Lyric by Lauren Kinhan David Finck, bass Andy Ezrin, piano Ben Wittman, drums David Finck, bass Donny McCaslin, tenor saxophone Ben Wittman, drums THE DEEP WITHIN CHAUSSURE’S COMPLEX Music by Peter Eldridge & Lauren Kinhan Music & Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Andy Ezrin, piano Peter Eldridge, piano David Finck, bass David Finck, bass Ben Wittman, drums + percussion Ben Wittman, drums Gary Versace, accordion Joel Frahm, tenor saxophone LAUREN KINHAN CIRCLE IN A SQUARE he first thing you notice is her voice, and then her savvy Let’s talk about that title track, which opens the album. “It’s choices. Lauren Kinhan possesses a rare and beautiful a bird/It’s a plane” Kinhan sings, but instead of a Superman T instrument, tough and tender, clear and fine-grained in sighting she’s hailing music itself. Sounding like a cross be- every register, whether she’s dipping down into husky chest tween Donald Fagen and Joni Mitchell, the song captures the tones or ascending into silvery head tones. With her glorious evocative power of a record spinning on a turntable with a sound, she could sing anything and make it a memorable lis- finely etched lyric married to a seductive melody that embod- tening experience, but Kinhan is defining herself as an artist ies the very transportive power Kinhan describes. It’s a bra- by creating her own material, making a compelling case that vura performance, and everything that follows lives up to its 21st century jazz singers can thrive outside the context of the implicit promise. She often makes brilliant use of contrasting American Songbook. Rooted in jazz’s improvisational impera- musical elements, like the way the jagged piano figure sets tive, she knows that you best celebrate the music by remaking off the long sinuous melody of “My Painted Lady Butterfly” it in your own image. “Think of me as a horn player who sings (a song tied together by Joel Frahm’s serpentine soprano sax a lyric or a dancer filling a phrase, a reedy voice that’s lived solo). She summons the intensity of a gospel singer on the in, adventurous and unapologetic,” Kinhan says. “It all circles deceptively languorous “Another Hill to Climb,” which initial- around living in the moment, telling a story and letting conven- ly sounds like an uplifting anthem but instead unfolds as a tions be undressed and re-outfitted.” cautionary tale. Whether rapturously becalmed (“The Deep Within”), on the good-time prowl (“Pocketful of Harlem”), or ANDY EZRIN Circle in a Square is only Kinhan’s third release under her tormented by the search for unknowable answers (“To Live or own name, but she’s already established a vivid identity as Die”), Kinhan turns each piece into a self-contained emotional BEN WITTMAN a songwriter with a gift for capturing the emotional currents narrative driven by her unerring musical taste. DAVID FINCK of everyday life. She made a powerful first impression with 2000’s Hardly Blinking, an eclectic program of original songs A master at folding her particular gifts into collaborations WILL LEE exploring an array of topics and instrumental textures. A de- with other musicians, Kinhan has spent her illustrious career cade later, she followed up with the highly personal Avalon, keeping superlative company. None other than avant-garde an album deeply informed by her experience of motherhood, legend Ornette Coleman gave her an early boost, featuring with and the pleasures and challenges of family life. In many ways Kinhan on “Don’t You Know by Now,” a ravishing tune from Circle In a Square picks up where Avalon left off, evoking the his 1996 album Sound Museum, Three Women. He was so SPECIAL GUESTS numinous possibilities in a flirty pair of shoes, a familiar mel- taken with her voice and presence that he invited her to re- ody, or an insinuating groove. prise the song with him at Lincoln Center and to sing one of RANDY BRECKER her originals. But she’s best known as a singer who thrives Part of what makes Circle in a Square so revelatory is that amongst fellow vocalists, particularly for her ongoing 20-year ROMERO LUBAMBO it provides a rare 360-degree glimpse into Kinhan’s musical tenure with New York Voices. She’s also a founding member of world. She wrote all the lyrics and almost all the music for ev- CHUCK LOEB two other vocal supergroups, the quintet Moss (with Luciana ery piece, and shaped each arrangement working with her core Souza, Kate McGarry, Theo Bleckmann, and Peter Eldridge), rhythm section of pianist/keyboardist Andy Ezrin and drummer DONNY MCCASLIN and the trio JaLaLa (with Janis Siegel and Laurel Massé). But Ben Wittman (the well-traveled Will Lee and David Finck di- there’s no denying the scope and power of Kinhan’s individual JOEL FRAHM vide bass duties). The steady personnel provides a cohesive vision. With Circle in a Square she fully reveals herself as an feel throughout the album, while an all-star gallery of special GARY VERSACE and inspired singer and songwriter whose voice gains depth with guests contributes instrumental commentary and eloquent so- every listen. PETER ELDRIDGE los, such as Brazilian guitar great Romero Lubambo’s perfectly sculpted acoustic passage on the intricate, lyric-less “Chasing Andrew Gilbert is a music writer in Berkeley, Calif. who the Sun” and trumpet maestro Randy Brecker’s melodically writes for the San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury charged passage on the title track. News, JazzTimes and other publications. would first like to thank my dear friend and partner Elliot heart. You just know how to get to the essence of the music Thank you to my mom, brothers and sisters, close knit friends Scheiner for making this one of the most creative and and say the most profound things. Donny, having known you and extended family in New York Voices for your constant I pleasurable recording experiences of my life. You create from our Berklee College of Music days, you are that unique support. Heartfelt thanks to Paul Slifer, Amy Estrin, Don Frank, an environment of trust and respect that everyone thrives in. and powerful voice that comes along once in a lifetime. And Linda Kinhan, David Kinhan, Char Fitzpatrick, and Sarah Slifer Thank you for opening your home to me and sharing your won- Peter, my dear friend and colleague, I know my musical life is for your fine art creations for this project. And finally, thank you derful family (that means you Diana). Which leads me to your grander because of you. to my husband Rob and daughter Ella for sharing this dream talented and charming son, Mathew Scheiner, who began en- with me everyday and making our life one big circle of love, Thank you Rob Mounsey for the delicious string quartet ar- gineering our vocal sessions and quickly became a core part of art and laughter. rangement that was in turn so divinely played by Jody Red- the realization of the project. Awright, now! Thank you to my hage, Sara Caswell, Joseph Brent and Lois Martin. Thanks trio extraordinaire. Whether the formation was Andy, Ben and to Aaron Heick for adding the deep moan of the Alto flute on David or Andy, Ben and Will, you guys gave me such rich and “Chasing the Sun.” And a big hug to my dear friend Marlon nuanced performances. Andy, thank you for the extra care in Saunders for “whooping up” the “Circle in the Square” vocals, preparing for the session. You are an exquisite musician and along with my talented daughter Ella Marcus who is becoming human being. Ben, we have shared all three of my solo proj- quite the beautiful singer and musician. ects together and on each one you graced it with your artist- ry, generosity of spirit and taught me so much along the way. Thank you to Ada Rovatti, Jiro Yoshida, Andy Ezrin and Peter David, thank you for bringing your magnificent sound and vibe Eldridge for your wonderful contributions to the compositions. to the music. And Will, wow, what a thrill to have you be a Much gratitude to Michael Brorby at Acoustic Recording and part of this. You bring so much more than personality and good Cynthia Daniels at Monk Music Studios. Sandrine Lee for the wardrobe, you are all about the music. Your attention to detail beautiful photos and vision, Burton Yount for another exquisite and willingness to explore showed your heart and why you are package, and the talented Flynn Pyykkonen and Madeleleine the Cat and always will be the Cat! Cooke. Also, thank you to Melissa Hammons for helping me Thank you to my very special guests who took this from a love- hold all the pieces together on the big tracking days. ly trio and voice record to a densely layered chocolate cake. Thank you to Ann Braithwaite, Max Horowitz, Andy Gilbert, Randy, you are a master and one heck of a cool dude. Romero, Jonas Herbsman, Linda Lorence, and Pat Rustici for the pro- you gave the songs that extra helping of passion and groove fessional support. that I was looking for. Chuck, I’m so honored we found a way for you to add your incredible voice to the “Pocket.” Gary, what A special shout out goes to my Kickstarter family that got can I say, I’m still laughing and crying at the same time, you are this whole thing started. I could not have done it without you. an extraordinary musician and nailed the vibe on the French Thanks to Steve Ridley, Peter Gontha and Stephanie Barada for bistro piece. Joel, you never cease to amaze me with your your special generosity and faith. And sometimes there’s just another hill to climb An accomplice to a crime, a suitcase on the ledge CIRCLE IN A SQUARE An intoxicating stairway going nowhere in the end Music by Lauren Kinhan and Ada Rovatti Just when the day is done Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Where the lost boys play with the melodramatic toys and the doubt begins to holler So they’ll never be lonely…..except for now It’s a bird, it’s a plane, have you heard And another chance to shine just slipped away I’m gonna play a record on the Hi Fi To my surprise, the pain is my sister So take these tears and hold me tight Analog, outta date, antiquate Giving my loneliness a harbor to escape, So the pieces of my life can somehow explain The echo of a generation gone by to escape, I’ve got to let it go now, and get away To live or die, I’m asking why In the mind of one so young To live or die is worth fighting for You replay it, relive it And in the morning I got nothin’ but a feeling A circle in a square A condition that just won’t go away A handshake in the dark, no after to the fact Sacred rite, black as night, turn me on, To keep trying so hard, I gotta try so hard, So you’re off to join the circus with those So I can be reminded of my first love I gotta keep trying so hard monkeys on your back Where the lost boys play Hey Mr. Newton, Sir, put another nickel in the Oh, While away with their “I’m not afraid to die” juke box electric Its just another ordinary day So they’ll never be sorry … Except for now It sings to me, plays to my very soul And sometimes there’s just another hill to climb Didn’t I hear you say, with every motion So take these tears and hold me close there’s a counterpoint at play So the fragments of my life can somehow explain It’s added ten years to my life just by turnin’ up I’M LOOKIN’ FOR THAT NUMBER Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan To live or die, I’m asking why the volume louder To live or die is worth fighting for Hey Mr. Newton, Sir, put another nickel in the I got a bone to pick, I got an itch to scratch juke box electric I’m feeling palpitations of a heart attack The gravity’s pushing and pulling me higher and higher I gotta tie that bonnet hard across my back POCKETFUL OF HARLEM And shoulder my pride, and shoulder my pride Music by Lauren Kinhan and Andy Ezrin Lyric by Lauren Kinhan If all the questions asked were ever satisfied MY PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY Spoken like a man of means, And everyone could have a piece of cherry pie Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Pocketful of Harlem dreams Would the combat warrant what we sacrifice The day will come when the simple truth Kinks inside the armor, cool effecting his disarming Or could we shoulder our pride will set your world on fire Of a certain Satin Doll, Could we shoulder our pride Saying goodbye to what’s said and done as stubborn as the days were long is all that I desire for you, it’s true Because I’m fit to be tied of singing the blues Hot, the humid weather, Close your eyes my painted lady butterfly The cows in the meadow, and the man’s on the moon melts the science she’s pretending and dream, the forest for the trees The concept is simple, but concepts elude Time and again, somebody is going to hit their head If anybody knows where I’m growing old Light as a cloud, you are free to roam Losing the thread, It’s the same ole song I’m lookin for that number the land (sea) and sky alone Dangerous and Debonair, call the Devil, he may care Tattooed and wild kaleidoscope Well if you said to stay or if you said to jump No stranger to friction, an imposter for a living returning nature’s call to let live and let live And everybody had a case of monkey does Following a nightingale, enchanting the n’ere do well Cuz to want for more is what you can’t deprive Would the slapback feel just like a hand in glove No one saw it coming, his undoing by her charming the wonder, the thistle, the hunger Or could you shoulder your pride Say could you shoulder it baby Time and again, somebody is going to hit their head Losing the thread, It’s the same ole song ANOTHER HILL TO CLIMB Cuz there’s an omen in the point of no return Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan And there’s a beauty in the face of what’s absurd Dangerous and Debonair, call the Devil, he may care How many million dreams are hanging in the balance But right now I stand before you bare and burned No stranger to friction, an imposter for a living It’s a mystery we just can’t understand And I can shoulder my pride, said I can shoulder Following a nightingale, enchanting the n’ere do well Just tell me how to set my direction my pride No one saw it coming, his undoing by her charming self composure, and the Knowing that time is the condition we can’t change feeling that it’s over we can’t change it, no matter how hard we try, we can’t change TO LIVE OR DIE Seen through a looking glass, Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan the problems, they just get larger A Hobbit in a hole, an Alice up a tree Cuz the more I look, the more I realize An imaginary hero fighting back the enemy I try so hard, I try so hard, I just try too hard Where the lost boys play with their psychosomatic schemes Oh, While away So they’ll never be lonely … except for now Its just an ordinary day no one hears your sneakers sneakin’ You got to hang on to reason, WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE TODAY out that garden door while you walk the crooked mile Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Side steppin’ the wrath of the Concubine I used to think that anything could happen Who’s that sittin’ in my chair A dreamer’s disillusion realized What’s that cookin’ on the stove Oh, down you go Like falling up an escalator’s staircase You’ll regret your passing fancy Where it stops, ain’t nobody gonna know We’d measure every year in photographs if you think the grass is grassy on the other side You’re all foot loose, in your fancy feather bed You just a blind sighted, bold submission But now the book is harder to remember Dig this, you made a mess a me and you, heavy on the sacreligion With every page I turn, I question how so what cha waitin’ for B flat, bull fight, short stick, hell of a sacrifice How can anybody tell me what to write here Seems like, there’s only liquor when the plot When words, like photographs, just can’t be found gets thicker Oh, down you go Ask Miss Ridinghood Where it stops, ain’t nobody gonna know We’re not going anywhere today But you’re all foot loose, in your fancy feather bed We’re not having company at all Lock that honey in the pot You just a blind sighted, bold submission The laundry’s folded neatly near the alabaster wall Hawk that apple that cha cored heavy on the sacreligion If anyone could find me, Doncha be so high falutin’ every little thing’s so convoluted they’d see no one’s home at all when you’ve got no where to move in, an aphrodisiac infusion The mirror doesn’t change our soft reflection eat that humble pie B flat, bull fight, short stick hell of a sacrifice And how the lines are playing tricks on me To years spent in the quiet Straighten up the game is over, you regained your self composure, of the house we used to make nothin’ left to hide Problem with the dalliances, guilty feet have got no chances left to compromise THE DEEP WITHIN The answer to my question can’t un-say Music by Lauren Kinhan and Peter Eldridge That we’re not going anywhere today Certainly you can’t be thinkin’ no one hears your sneakers sneakin’ Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Get that message through your head Tulips edge the cornerstone Grass is growing green again CHAUSSURE’S COMPLEX Sweater on my shoulders sit Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Unfurling leaves on trees amidst Love Me, don’t let shoes stand in the way The spring showers will fall of all this awkward romance VANITY’S PARAMOR Birds sing random haikus Unless it’s clear Music and Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Often heard across the lawn You’d prefer another pair to wear, Pied a Terre Ten in one, you go out to a habitat Dandelions laugh at order Just say you may, Trip the night away everyone there is anonymous Promising a sea of gold I don’t mind at all Lead Me, of our own volition, no misgivings, chaussurre’s complex Preying on all the dark alley dances When you’re hand in mine, to music you heard at the carnival No, the heart revives, it always does sends a tempo to my heel and toe Haven’t you had enough of spinning that empty bottle? The eyes will have their turtledove Before you know Baby you can’t afford your addiction It’s written in our porous skin The stockings hung from whence the shoe was flung is leading you only to posthumous The sleeve that holds the deep within Stay, if you will Don’t let the arms of Aphrodite push you around Sundays I don’t go to church Remain perfectly still with a pomegranate smile, One day trees will tell their tale Just to contrast the beat of my heart she leads you under ground Apples fall to the seeker Leave it at that, on the small of my back You got to hang on to reason, Hand to mouth and fruit to cheek Let loose to roam where it will while you walk the crooked mile As natural as the day Side steppin’ the wrath of the Concubine None the wiser for the taking Hold Me, like a slipper’s fit, Fantasy over facing the music Nature holds us in suspense we’ll contemplate the last temptation Ages spent in solitary On the heals of love, is daring the walls to come down on you Agony over taming the elephant Yield the human melancholy We’ll incorporate the him, the her, the pas de deux Is this all there is? Before too long, we’ll have a fav’rite song taking up space in your living room Rehearsing all our tomorrows from now on When you go waking up, No, the heart revives, it always does you’ll see you’re in mighty quick sand The eyes will have their turtledove Saber and Cape in hand, you’re a Matador It’s written in our porous skin BEAR WALK looking for Vanity’s Paramour The sleeve that holds the deep within Music by Jiro Yoshida, Lyric by Lauren Kinhan Don’t let the arms of Aphrodite push you around Who’s that sleepin’ in my bed with a pomegranate smile, What’s that stocking on the floor she leads you under ground Certainly you can’t be thinkin’ 1 CIRCLE IN A SQUARE 4:59 7 POCKETFUL OF HARLEM 4:44 (L. KINHAN, A. ROVATTI) (L. KINHAN, A. EZRIN) Best of Kin, SESAC, Ada Rovatti SIAE Best of Kin, SESAC, Ez It Iz Music, ASCAP 2 MY PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY 4:56 8 WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE TODAY 5:05 (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC 3 ANOTHER HILL TO CLIMB 6:46 9 CHAUSSURE’S COMPLEX 5:52 (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC 4 CHASING THE SUN 5:18 10 BEAR WALK 6:18 (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC (J. YOSHIDA, L. KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC, Columbia Japan, Platonic Ltd. 5 I’M LOOKIN’ FOR THAT NUMBER 5:26 (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC 11 VANITY’S PARAMOUR 4:50 (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC 6 TO LIVE OR DIE 4:51 (LAUREN KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC 12 THE DEEP WITHIN 4:49 (P. ELDRIDGE, L. KINHAN) Best of Kin, SESAC, Rueben’s Tunes, ASCAP

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