Three decades after its release, jazz thunderbolts, Laurie Krauz and Daryl Kojak are reweaving the soft rock of Carole King's Tapestry, and the audience is feeling the earth move.

The rich hues of King's tapestry have not faded or torn. With the wind at their backs, Krauz and The Daryl Kojak Octet are forging ahead, reinterpreting the earthy sincerity of the original.

Krauz's open and rangy vocals with husky depths and surprising vulnerabilities bring a maturity to King's 1971 female sensibility. The recording always had an adolescent air, dealing with earnest relationships in all their pain and wistfulness. The songs spoke to young women of the time, and Krauz herself admits to its influence when she was in school. Her own energy, imagination, and vivid scat prowess layer the work. She never loses sight of what the song is saying; as she claims, the lyrics must ring true for her, but Krauz is a jazz musician and her voice is one of the instruments. Her personality infuses the songs. She adds growls and wails to the bluesy "Home Again." "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" is an explosive gospel celebration of estrogen. Another gospel celebration gives "Beautiful" a grit and determination, punctuated by Dave Pietro on sax.

The yearning uncertainty of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" sharpens with an edge of irony. "Too Late Baby" floats on bossa nova rhythms, with Jamie Fox on guitar. Krauz is definitive in "Where You Lead" with a rumba beat. "You've Got a Friend" is an anthem for the friendship she shares with her college roommate. By the end, Tapestry Rewoven is a unique work of contemporary jazz.

With Laurie Krauz, The Daryl Kojak Octet includes Sean Conly on bass, Gene Lewin on drums, Dave Pietro on sax/flute, and guitarist Jamie Fox. Backup vocals are sung by "The Natural Women"—Emily Bindiger, Margaret Dorn, and Kathryn Raio. As always, the priceless jazz interpretations and arrangements by Daryl Kojak deftly balance the group and frame the songs.

Laurie Krauz and Daryl Kojak's re-working of Carole King's classic album adds facets of sensibility and blasts of energy. Although it is not yet a CD, Tapestry Rewoven promises to deliver its own stamp of "classic."

Laurie Krauz headlines with The Daryl Kojak Octet at Iridium bringing Tapestry Rewoven the first Tuesday of every month.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
February 3, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org