PRESS QUOTES
This new album [Trapeze] is as good as any of Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Eric Anderson and Stephen Still's albums in my own worldview. The songs are clear and shimmering stories with well composed truths in their lyrical sense of style. Sounds, tones and fine chords build up a modern song treasures…to be found in the forest. Kate McDonnell is a confident and very driven songwriter who has something substantial to tell….—Micheles Kindh, Blaskans vänner web magazine, Sweden
The original songs cover a wide range of intense topics with a swipe at humor and truth. Kate is not all folky in a Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins manner – she shapes her vocal repertoire with a reliable Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin & Mary Chapin Carpenter treatment. Her tonality shimmers & her voice is eloquent. Despite the folk allusions, she’s not accurately a folk stereotype. undeniable skill as a vocalist. It all surfaces with authority & strength on songs like “Breakdown Lane,” “Nowhere To Go” & the marvelous “Madeleine” – all 3 sparkling jewels, beautifully sung. In a final word – Kate McDonnell is an exceptional artist.—John Apice / Americana Highways
Another great singer-songwriter is Kate McDonnell…. I hear in everything that this singer-songwriter is incredibly talented and that she has the experience to write original songs. The album does everything right and nothing wrong in that respect. It is a very interesting and pleasant listening trip of 14 songs. Kate McDonnell knows how to keep her songs melodic and creative. The lyrics are intelligent and are about various subjects. About love, desire, but also about the negative sides of American society….The album contains all the ingredients to be heard. The production is very neat and the songs are of high quality.—“William,” Orange Flag Music, the Netherlands
Gem of the day! Poetic lyrics and thought-provoking events from the present, plus music that can easily be classified in the same category as the greatest American singers in the same genre. In addition, the artist has a high-class vocal range - and not least she can sing so that most things melt.
Call the whole musical arrangement Americana with a splash of most of modern music. In any case, listener-friendly and warm tones from a seasoned American artist who knows how to deliver.—Torbjörn Berlin, Berlin Calling, Sweden
The songs place themselves in that nexus where the contemporary folk style strays into pop, blues, and country territories. These incursions make for an accessible sound which works as a perfect setting for McDonnell’s lyrics and melodies…. In McDonnell’s hands there is a sincerity and insight that creats an authenticity. McDonnell’s voice takes center stage. She is possessed of a pure tone that opens up into a rich vibrato purr on the sustained notes. Enchanting and Affecting.—Trevor Raggatt, RnR Magazine, UK
A captivating mix of rootsy blues and folksier Americana on songs of love, loss and yearning…. Compelling…. wonderful…. standout…. …. resilient… joyous. She flies through the musical air with the greatest of ease.—Michael Davies, FATEA webzine, UK
Kate McDonnell impresses again with Trapeze ….grande dame of the folk world….irresistible soprano vocals and equally expressive string work, both on acoustic and electric guitar…[a] beautiful piece of work.—Cis van Looy, Written in Music, The Netherlands
Kate McDonnell's daring new TRAPEZE album may entice you to leap off the edge of ordinary and into a conversation with your emotional core. The skillfully wrought songs get you headed steadily in one direction and then, "zip!" In a flash, you arrive at a place that's far more vivid and much deeper. I'm so glad that Kate has unleashed herself and grabbed the trapeze.—Marilyn Rea Beyer - WFMT – Chicago
TRAPEZE is a captivating exploration of contemporary American life, weaving together themes of hope, self-discovery, love, and loss with an unmistakable sense of humor and resilience.… TRAPEZE marks a bold evolution in her songwriting, [that] strike with raw, cathartic truth, and their melodies become instant earworms, balancing sophisticated production with deeply personal reflections.—Indie Artist Buzz webzine, 7 from the Women, USA
Kate McDonnell's 'Trapeze' is a work of fine craftsmanship, expertly executed and heartfelt, so I hope she gets the success she deserves with this album.—Robert Ryttman / Zero Magazine, Sweden
Kate McDonnell’s 6th album, is rooted in contemporary American life, with topics ranging from hope and life’s purpose surrendering to love and desire in crazy times. On the heels of her successful album 'Ballad Of A Bad Girl', 'Trapeze' comprises 14 original songs written over a prolific 3 years. Her new songs will hit your gut with truth, intelligence, and humor.—Kenneth Bremer, Blue Desert, Denmark
Albany, New York, based folk singer and songwriter Kate McDonnell has just released her 6th solo record, 'Trapeze'. On this album she brings 7 fully self composed songs and 7 tracks that were co-written with her longtime friend Anne Lindley. Her intelligent stories are sometimes humoristic, sometimes very serious and introspective. In the song 'Step Right Up' she expresses her anger about the fast increasing gun violence in the USA that is killing too many innocent young children.—Valére Sampermans, Rootstime , Italy
Kate McDonnell has created a dozen songs done in mid to mid uptempo, where distant vocalization and some stylish association leads to earlier periods such as the 70's era, but with contemporary views towards newer tendencies within americana, roots music and folk breakthroughs.—Branimir Lokner, Time Machine Music, Serbia
A fine voice, emotional and soulful…a fine CD by a gifted songwriter. Her voice is perfectly suited to her music.—Fred Schmale, Real Roots, The Netherlands
TOP 10 in Euro-americana chart for 2024
#5 on North American Folk DJ Charts and #1 Artist
Title cut “Trapeze” winner of NERFA song contest