​Katie Knipp (from the album Live at Theatre 5150

​Katie Knipp (from the album Live at Theatre 5150

​Katie Knipp (from the album Live at Theatre 5150 available as a self-release) (by Danny McCloskey)
 
Staying close to her homebase in Sacramento, California, Katie Kipp ventured to a suburb of the Golden State capital for her recent release, Live at Theatre 5150. Located in the Northern California city of Carmichael, Theatre 5150 offers an intimate house concert series for the metropolitan Sacramento area. After an introduction that defines Katie Knipp as a ‘world-class talent and a local treasure’, Katie steps up to the microphone issuing an hello before launching into “Santa Cruz Blues”. Rather than tentatively moving into her live album, Katie Knipp peals the paint from the venue, setting the standard for the recording on the first track. Based in the Blues, Live at Theatre 5150 hears Katie Knipp reshape the borders of the genre with her songs.
Her soulful cry rises above the island beats and full-throttle arrangement that backs her commentary of current life with “Stillness”. Quieting the mood with the piano ramble that opens “I Don’t Sing for You”, Katie Knipp accents her piano-playing with sky-seeking vocals that beckon in the rhythms that support the song as they push the piano into overdrive and welcome in frenetic organ riffs. She tributes Justin Townes Earle with a cover of his tune “If I Was the Devil” and proudly displays fan love for Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska album when she introduces her take on the recording’s cut “State Trooper”.
Her performance on Live at Theatre 5150 showcases Katie Knipp’s skills on vocals, piano, guitar, and harmonica), her own talent backed with an A-list band that features Pancho Tomaselli (bass), Steve Utstein (Hammond B3, Wurlitzer), Neil Campisano (drums), and Quinn Hedges (lead guitar). Late night Blues noir infects the original track “Gone to Town” as Katie Knipp addresses addiction (“The Devil’s Armchair”), takes a look at love coming on strong (“Bullet Train”), dances on a skittery groove (“Chamomile and Cocaine”), and makes demands on late-night visions (“Get Outta My Dream”). Katie Knipp doesn’t simply play the Blues; she shapeshifts the style, molding songs that incorporate traditions while taking successful bold steps into the future for the music. Live at Theatre 5150 boards the train swaying on playful rhythms with “Metro in Paris”, travels to the Old West to introduce Tom Bell, a stagecoach robber who goes by the moniker “Outlaw Doc” as Katie Knipp strips “John the Revelator” down to raw rhythms before exiting the album on the rolling groove of traditional Blues with “Mud”. (by Danny McCloskey)
Listen and buy the music of Katie Knipp from AMAZON
For more information head on over to Katie Knipp website