Canadian through and through, Sharron Katz's gentle soulful storytelling gives us a double A-side with 'Leaving Eden' from her album Portrait, and an original special holiday song 'Santa Soulmate.' Arriving now, the double A-side shows Katz's ability to deliver truthful emotion straight from the heart without any frills.
Check out “Santa’s Soulmate” on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/15UVHFgoKv3r3Z1ggWO2xY
Throughout both tracks, there is Alanis Morrisette style-storytelling present with a foundation of roots, blues, and folk. Plus, an added nod to the 90s with a Seattle-sounding production, delivering a welcoming nostalgia to Katz's sound.
A move to Stratford Ontario from Toronto and a change of circumstances 7 years ago mixed-up Katz's life for the better. 'Leaving Eden' was the result of this experience with Katz offering a new perspective on the Adam and Eve story.
Check out “Leaving Eden” on YouTube here:
"This project is dedicated to anyone with the courage to travel off the beaten path. I love the story of Adam and Eve. I see it in a new light and offer up an alternate story," Katz says.
The result is a clean acoustic and piano lead affair with Katz's clear dulcet tones resting on top. An almost Pearl Jam-inspired intro starts the song with a classic array of piano and heavily strummed guitar before that 90s alt-sounding bass and drums arrive to roll the song along. Katz opens up more about the lyrics. Explaining an alternative view of the biblical tale, Katz introduces us to a different Eve, from the one that has traditionally been painted as the temptress, leading Adam astray.
"Now some say that eve never had a choice
But I think that Eve simply found her voice
The apple so tasty-the apple so moist
If an apple meant freedom- she would rejoice"
Katz goes on to ask the question throughout.
"What human would not want to eat from the tree of knowledge?"
The track features a plethora of musical talent including Tim Smythe on electric guitar, Paul DeLong on drums, Don Baird on keys, and Robbie Patterson taking up bass duties. Katz plays acoustic and takes the full lead on vocals. Bringing in her husband Mike McCullough who took charge of engineering 'Leaving Eden' with it being produced and mixed by both the wife and husband duo.
The second single, 'Santa Soulmate' on this double A side gives us a holiday track with a surprise beginning. Katz explains how the song was born out of sorrow and being alone at Christmas. She explains openly how the song had an emotional foundation.
"Well, it was going to be another Jewish Christmas — Chinese food and a movie. So, I sat in bed, crying, and suddenly I picked up my guitar and began writing a Christmas song."
With a surprise twist and with a new lease on life, Katz brings us a fresh vision for the song. Reworking the track to bring a more untroubled holiday tune. 'Santa Soulmate' is about manifesting the perfect Santa that comes and brings joy to the life of the protagonist of the song.
"If I could dream up my perfect guy
He’d be just like Santa, funny kind and wise
He’s care about his fellow man, do the things he’d say
See the world with loving eyes each and every day"
The idea of the perfect Santa whether he's a friend, companion, or lover comes across in this heartfelt track by Katz. Like 'Leaving Eden' Katz brings us Alanis Morrisette's unburdened truth and storytelling alongside gentle pianos, acoustics, bass, and drums. And of course, jingle bells being added to the song gives this the instant Christmas sound that it deserves.
The original version started with Katz on vocals and acoustic with James Mallin and Myke Mazzei on guitars and bass duties. The revamped version brings in Don Baird on keys and Katz's husband Mike McCullough adds Santa's persona and those ever-important jingle bells, as well as fine-tuning the production and engineering.
These two singles showcase what a talent Sharron Katz is and how she can work her tuneful magic through two different types of songs. 'Leaving Eden' and 'Santa Soulmate' by Sharron Katz are available on all music platforms now.
