Sing Out!
Bonnie Koloc
Timeless

Reviewed by Mike Regenstreif

Most of Bonnie Koloc’s recordings, particularly a string of fine LPs from the 1970s, have long been out-of-print.  That makes this two-CD set of previously unreleased tracks, most of them live, recorded between 1973 and 1990, particularly welcome.   And it is particularly nice, after all these years, to again hear her warm and lovely voice wrapped around the lyrics and melodies from some of the best material from those old albums. Songs like Michael Smith’s “Crazy Mary,” Rosalie Sorrel’s “Up Is a Nice Place to Be,” Ed Holstein’s “Jazzman,” Steve Goodman’s “I Can’t Sleep,” John Prine’s “Sabu Visits the Twin Cities Alone” receive wonderful interpretations.  On some numbers, like “Senorita,” written by her guitarist Elliott Delman, she gets playful with the audience and with songs like “Roll Me on the Water” and “Mr. Biscuit Blues,” she reminds us that she herself is also a fine songwriter.

Because these recordings are drawn from different time, places and levels of technology, the sound quality is uneven in spots. However, she quite rightly puts the quality of the performance first and the tape hiss, for example, on “Jazzman” fades in the power of her a cappella singing.

Stylistically, Koloc works in a folk-pop vein with occasional country, blues and jazz overtones. In addition to Delman, Koloc’s accompanying musicians include such stellar players as Steve Goodman on guitar, Jim Tullio on acoustic bass, and Howard Levy on piano and harmonica.