Kitty Brazelton
Ecclesiastes: A Modern Oratorio
Innova Records
www.innova.mu
By George W. Harris

Hard to beat lyrics written by history’s wisest man, Solomon. What keyboardist/arranger Kitty Brazelton has done is take the Sage’s sayings, and along with a forward thinking chorus and band that includes drums, hammered dulcimers, cello and bells, deliver an eastern mystical rendition of the God inspired words from the 3rd Chapter of Ecclesiastes. Incorrectly believing that Solomon didn’t have hope in an afterlife, she gives the lyrics an Eastern timelessness shading, as well as almost Tibetan vocals to some of the pieces like the 17 minute “The Beginning And End Of All Things.” The music and vocals have an austere yearning that displays alarming devotion and searching, creating a monastic mood throughout the disc. Meditative, contemplative, what’s next, Song of Solomon?