Judge for Kate Morrison

ENGLISH : ‘’Regional Treasure – With the album Kiss The Sky by Kate Morrison, we enter into a very particular world; a world of flowers and sunshine, of wind and moon, of trees and chocolate, with, above, an immense heavenly blue canopy. The singer-songwriter is one of these human beings who still knows how to appreciate the beauty of the universe despite the sadness and the anger that sometimes obscures one’s days and years. From this poetry, that touches us through it's simplicity and sincerity, Kate Morrison carries us away with an array of songs that we are drawn to by their multicoloured hues, finesse of the arrangements, rich instrumentation and this superb chameleon voice capable of connecting all the emotions; loss, melancholy, revolt, sensuality, immense joy. From Celtic influences, languorous blues, true Canadian rock (we can’t completely reinvent ourselves), American folk, biting country and peaceful Gospel, the singer slams the door on poisonous relationships (It’s All Right, Big Black Car), cradles the memory of lost loved-ones (The Absence Of You, Look Up At The Moon), abandons herself to newfound love (Within, You Don’t Have To) and succeeds at transforming her passion for chocolate into a form of sensual dependence. To be discovered, without a doubt, and slowly savoured...’’ Steve Bergeron, Journalist, La Tribune Sherbrooke (Québec) Canada (translated from French) FRANÇAIS: ‘’Trésor Régional - Avec l’album Kiss the Sky de Kate Morrison, on entre dans un monde bien particulier; fait de fleurs et de soleil, de vents et de lune, d’arbres et de chocolat, avec, au-dessus, une immense voûte bleu ciel. L’auteure-compositrice-interprète fait partie de ces être humains qui savent encore apprécier la beauté de l’univers malgré les tristesses et les colères qui obscurcissent périodiquement leurs jours et leurs années. De cette poésie qui touche via sa simplicité et sa sincérité, Kate Morrison réussit à tirer un éventail de chansons emballant par ses teintes multicolores, la finesse des arrangements, la richesse de l’instrumentation et cette superbe voix caméléon capable d’enfiler toutes les émotions; deuils, mélancolie, révolte, sensualité, joies immense. Entre le celtique, le blues langoureux, le rock franchement canadien (on ne peut quand même pas se refaire complètement), le folk américain, le country mordant et le gospel apaisant, la chanteuse claque la porte aux relations empoisonnées (It’s All Right, Big Black Car), berce la mémoire d’êtres chers disparus (The Absence Of You, Look Up At The Moon), s’abandonne à l’amour naissant (Within, You Don’t Have To) et réussit à transformer sa passion pour le chocolat en une forme de dépendance charnelle (Chocolate Bar Blues). À découvrir absolument et à déguster lentement...’’ Steve Bergeron, journaliste, La Tribune, Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada ENGLISH BIO : Inspired by everyday life experiences, but not so ordinary subjects, Kate’s song-writing takes us on a unique journey of intimacy, humour and humanity. Her latest album, ‘’Kiss The Sky’’, is decorated with contemporary and traditional instrumentation that supports her strong lyrics, already full of dimension. Influenced from childhood by all genres of music, Kate’s songs are an eclectic mix of folk-rock, bluesy-pop, and a touch of Gospel, with a Celtic whisper… Love, friendship, human struggle, the environment and social issues are themes that she beautifully weaves through melodic phrasings. With the warm richness of her voice, the intensity of her lyrics, married with her original melodies, make each song experience a voyage to remember! BIO EN FRANÇAIS : Inspirées par les expériences de la vie quotidienne, sujets qui ne sont pas pour autant ordinaires, les chansons de Kate nous convient à un voyage unique d’intimité, d’humour et d’humanité. Les instruments tantôt contemporains, tantôt traditionnels, viennent soutenir à merveille les paroles profondes et universelles de son dernier album « Kiss The Sky » Influencée dès son enfance par tous les styles de musique, Kate nous offre sur ses albums un mélange éclectique de ses compositions tantôt folk-rock, tantôt pop à saveur de blues, avec une touche Gospel ou encore un souffle celtique. L’amour, l’amitié, les combats du genre humain, l’environnement et les sujets sociaux sont des thèmes qu’elle tisse de belle façon en phrases mélodiques. La chaude richesse de sa voix, l’intensité des paroles en association avec ses mélodies originales font de chacune de ses chansons un voyage dont on se souvient!

KATE'S ALBUMS & RECORDINGS :

''The Words We Weep'' / ''Les mots des maux'' theme songs written for the documentary film ''Fibromyalgia Step By Step'' / ''La fibromyalgie pas à pas'' (2011) This film includes instrumental music taken from Kate's album ''Kiss The Sky''

''Les arbres de ma vie'' et ''Lilas et cerisiers'' on the compilation CD ''De tout coeur avec l'arbre'' published in the environmental photography book ''Arborescence'' (2010);

''Kiss The Sky'' (2006)
''Kate Morrison'' (1995; re-mastered 2007)
''Tunnel Ange Gardien'' (2000) single written for APL
''Je suis toujours qui je suis'' (2000) single written for ACTE
''Live'' (1999 - limited edition CD)

''Coeur à choeur'' (1997 - limited edition K-7

Kate continues to compose and write songs. She presently has over 130 songs in her artist repertoire and composes for other artists.

KATE AND HER MUSICIANS / KATE ET SES MUSICIENS

Kate travail présentement avec les musiciens Mathieu Perreault et François Morin. Kate works presently with musicians Mathieu Perreault and François Morin.

CHILDHOOD INFLUENCES : Particularly interested in artists such as Elton John, Carole King, James Taylor, Bette Midler, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Carly Simon and Bob Dylan, Kate absorbed the essence of these classic folk artists. A personal interest in diverse music from Al Jolson, Bill Kenny, classical and Big Band through to the ''bobby-sock'' and ''disco'' eras, lead Kate to touch almost every style of music.

ALBUM CREDITS : All songs on ''KISS THE SKY' Written and Composed by Kate Morrison
Album recorded by Larry O'Malley, Sound Engineer - at CBC's Studio 12, Montreal and at AudioBec Sono/Video, North Hatle

Musical arrangements : Jean Fernand Girard & Kate Morriso
Musical direction : Jean Fernand Girar

Musicians and Vocalists on ''Kiss The Sky'' :
Jean Fernand Girard, piano, Hammond B3, keyboards, percussion; Christian Pamerleau, drums; Claude Gay, electric and fretless bass; Donald Meunier, electric, acoustic and classical guitars; Kate Morrison, lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars, percussion; Gaston Gagnon, electric guitar; Elise Guay, Irish wooden flutes, Irish bagpipes; Nicholas Boulerice, hurdy-gurdy; Isabelle Gosselin, violin; Nadine Turbide, accordian; Guy Belanger, harmonica; Marie Belanger, backing-vocals; Rachelle Jeanty, backing-vocals.