I was totally unprepared for what Lucy Mongrel, the alter ego, of artist and Grammy nominated Detroit native Kate Hart was all about. I should have realized from the liner notes which toted this album as being “Unusual Music for Unusual People.” I could not think of a more apropos title, because from beginning to end Kate Hart, er Lucy Mongrel allowed me to hear how this was no ordinary album, and that she is no ordinary artist.

     I was thrown off by the opening music. There was a great mix of styles and instruments, from bagpipes to harmonicas, mandolins to electric guitars, right down to saws and the jaw harp! This menagerie of sounds, despite how motely, pulls you in immediately-then you hear the voice of Lucy Mongrel, and all is put asunder! I should have expected this, too, since instead of saying vocals by Lucy Mongrel in the liner notes, it states “Songs and Conceptual howlings by Lucy Mongrel.”

     The first track, Meet in the Streets, has a powerful set of lyrics and great music, but the singer sounds like Cyndi Lauper gone wrong. Lyrics and music on the next two tracks, Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed? and Five Years Ago are equally commendable, until you hear the vocals, which get kind of scary. And then there are tracks like Circle the Wagons, which would not have been too bad if not for the incessant yodeling. Lyrics for the eighth track, The Next Time You Wake Up (It Won’t Be Next to Me) are hysterical. My only hope is that someone else with a better voice buys the rights to the song. The best song on the album is the last track entitled Freedom. It showcases the wonderful talents of Steve Peterson, who not only provided much of the music for this CD, but also has quite a voice providing background vocals and stealing the show.

     It should say something when the first review listed in “What the Critics Say” is “…Annoying.” Amazing since the musicians, including Lucy Mongrel have appeared with such notables as Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Page, Duke Ellington, and more. Even more amazing when you consider that these musicians have also received or been nominated for over 30 musical awards.

     If this CD had nothing but instrumental tracks, I’d have loved it. My musical tastes are best described as eclectic, and I’m a lyrics-lover at heart, but even the lyrics and the instrumental couldn’t do this CD justice. This is one for the bargain bins. Maybe there’s actually someone out there that can stand the conceptual howlings of Lucy Mongrel…someone other than me.

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