CD Review: Julie McKee - What A Woman Shouldn't Do

Julie McKee – What A Woman Shouldn’t Do
2008 Julie McKee

Look out. Here comes Julie McKee. Julie McKee has created one of the finest collections of jazz imbued pop you’ll hear in all of 2008. What A Woman Shouldn’t Do combines gorgeous music, intelligent and witty lyrics, and a voice you pray just won’t stop singing. Imagine if you took genetic material from Annie Lennox, Fiona Apple and Jane Siberry and mixed them all up together: You’d find someone not entirely unlike Julie McKee.

Songs range from highly personal, such as the hauntingly beautiful Nine Years Old, to the downright comical (Eric Marlow). Julie McKee will surprise you with subject matter (Mount Vesuvius), or with her lyrical prowess, such as in All About You (I tried to listen/to hold your hand/but all you wanted was a sycophant). The title song, What A Woman Shouldn’t Do, finds McKee closest to her jazz roots, discussing 1950’s attitudes about the roles of women in marriage over an accusing samba beat.

This is a gem. I don’t throw around the “Desert Island Disc” label very often, but it applies here. If you had to be stuck on an island for the rest of your life and could have only 5 CDs with you, What A Woman Shouldn’t Do would be a must. Expect big things from Julie McKee. I had a similar reaction to this album as I had many years ago listening to Tori Amos’ Little Earthquakes. Both are classically trained pianists with a penchant for gorgeous melodies who music is informed by many different styles. Where the comparison ends the truth is clear: Julie McKee is a talent in her own right.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Julie McKee at www.JulieMcKee.com, or on MySpace. What A Woman Shouldn't Do can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com/juliemckee, at Amazon.com, or as a download through iTunes.