Katie Whitehouse
Drawing Lines
Self-Release
Contemporary Singer-Songwriter That Transcends The Generations
This is a fascinating album even if you don’t know Katie Whitehouse’s ‘story.’
Without taking up too much time; she is typical of many musicians and music fans; playing instruments and singing ‘for fun’ until someone says “You should make a record.“
In Katie’s case she was flattered but dismissed it as a flight of fancy; but quietly went about writing some songs (200+) ultimately culling this to 10 songs …. 14 years after starting the project!
As regular readers will know; I hadn’t read the core of the e-mail when I first played her album so when I heard the first song, Spaces it was like a breath of fresh air; as Katie’s translucent vocals alongside a piano and occasional strings was totally captivating.
Although it sounds nothing like her vocally, I got the feeling Katie could be a fan of Joni Mitchell in the poetic way she writes as well as the spacing in the song itself.
Of course there are scores of female singer-songwriters out there and I receive most of their work at one time or another; but to my ears there is something really special about Katie Whitehouse’s writing style; taking her influences into the studio but using them sparingly, and trusting her own talents to flow and capture the listeners’ attention.
The second song, Seventeen mirrors Janis Ian’s song of the same title; but somehow Katie digs deeper and gives her song an extra contemporary ‘edge’ as she gives ‘life advice’ to someone very close.
For someone who was quite self-depreciating in her covering e-mail; I’ve been very impressed with the way she not just writes her songs; but the way she delivers the title track Drawing Lines as well as Never Be Told and the haunting Welcome To The World too, with its contemporary Colliery band backing.
All art and music is subjective; some you like and some you don’t with no rhyme nor reason for either; just personal taste …. and I’ve quickly become smitten with the songs of Katie Whitehouse; who sounds like a seasoned professional throughout; most especially with the arrangements on the majestic Earthman; an ode to her step-father who was a scientist, but also someone who delved into homeopathic remedies; which juxtaposition comes across in the charming way Katie delivers this tragically beautiful song.
In her e-mail Katie makes great light of her ‘age’ …. but once you sit down and listen to her songs they become ageless and timeless; engaging with people of all ages and ethnicity; tugging at the heartstrings while giving you something to think about too; with Never To Be Told and the Insurgent Folkiness of Keep Her Safe being prime examples.
For a Favourite Song, I’m selecting the dark and smouldering Man Of Few Words, mostly because of the sensitive arrangement that allows Katie’s virtually spoken singing style feels like a love song wrapped up in a heartbreaking break-up song.
For a DIY album, the production here is tip-top, bringing out the very best in a raw new talent that deserves to be heard by the many, not the few.
Released November 2023
http://katiewhitehousemusic.com/
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https://katiewhitehouse.bandcamp.com/album/drawing-lines
The Rocking Magpie 