Kate Campbell - Save The Day (2008)

"I've always written stories about people and how we get along," says Kate Campbell. "I kept thinking about that phrase, 'save the day,' and it can be used in so many different ways. It began to have a life of it's own in this album."

With her compassionate tone and sometimes-quirky approach, Kate Campbell has made a musical niche for herself telling stories exploring the complex topics of race, religion, history and human relationships. It started with her first record, 1995’s 'Songs from the Levee', and continues with her latest offering, 'Save the Day'. The new project also includes shades of Kate's entire musical history - running the gamut from R&B and pop rhythms to gospel and folk sounds.

This is a quintessential Kate Campbell record, but it's a bit of a different approach. Campbell explains. "I usually have a theme that I've thought about for two or three years when I start writing for an album, but this time I just decided to write about things when they came to me."

With no set agenda going into the project, Kate turned to Alabama native Walt Aldridge, stepped up as producer, as he did on her 2003 collection 'Monuments'. Legendary keyboardist Spooner Oldham, who served as Kate's musical partner on 2006's 'For the Living of These Days', returns to accompany her on the 'To Kill a Mockingbird'-inspired song "Sorrowfree."

The incomparable John Prine's distinctive voice is heard on "Looking for Jesus." Kate also tapped her friend Nanci Griffith to sing on "Fordlandia," which is just the latest example of Kate's knack for uncovering peculiar, nearly forgotten stories and weaving them into song.

Kate's also has a reputation as a true wordsmith, so it's no surprise a few tunes were inspired by novels, including "The Color of Love," which tells the story of Gene Cheek's powerful Jim Crow-era novel of the same name. "Falling Out of Heaven" borrows a phrase from Langston Hughes for its title as well. Another tune, "Dark Night of the Soul" first appeared on 2006's 'For the Living of These Days', and is heard her in a full-band version, while "Everybody Knows Elvis" addresses the loneliness felt by both the King of Rock and Roll and Jesus Christ.

Kate is now curious to see how these 12 new songs fit with the rest of her material in concert. As she continues her musical journey, 'Save the Day' rightfully takes its place among her previous releases, which have earned high praise and features from media outlets like Entertainment Weekly and National Public Radio.

This album jumps right in there with real people, real stories. It has all the quirkiness and also the deep layers and the serious parts too. The whole record covers a lot of Kate Campbell.

Track List:

01 - Save The Day
02 - Welcome To Ray
03 - Fordlandia
04 - Dark Night Of The Soul
05 - Color Of Love
06 - More Than One More Day
07 - Looking For Jesus
08 - Back To The Moon
09 - Falling Out Of Heaven
10 - Everybody Knows Elvis
11 - Shining Like The Sun
12 - Sorrowfree

Download includes front cover