“Here’s a double-disc collection by a contemporary jazz vocalist that not only warrants its length, it leaves you wanting more...Carter can cast a spell with her lyrics alone..."
— Mike Joyce, Washington Post
With her remarkable twin disc recording, "Feather/Step Lightly", Felicia Carter gives an affectionate nod to the double vinyl LP. The double CD format allows Carter to defy songwriting genres on "Feather", while showcasing her finesse with traditional jazz and blues on "Step Lightly". The album features a dynamic, all-star rhythm section of Carter’s jazz fellows; pianist Bob Butta, bassist Amy Shook, drummer Frank Russo, and guitarist Donato Soviero. Providing additional instrumentation are special guest players on harp, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, as well as Carter’s own layered vocal harmonies for selected tracks. Engineered by Rob Byers, the majority of the recording was completed without instrumental isolation for a cohesive, live feel. The "Feather/Step Lightly" sessions took place at NPR Studios in Washington DC.
The first CD, "Feather", unfurls Carter’s unique songwriting voice. The album is a multi-faceted journey with a lyrical arc, from the rollicking first track “Hurricane” (Carter’s self-professed theme song), to the worn-down cowgirl sensibility of the last, “Mad Boys” (an ode to the Morning 40 Federation). "Feather" is the cumulative expression of Carter’s many musical experiences as composer, lyricist, performer, and producer. Combining influences of jazz, blues, and rock/pop, Carter manifests an uncommon vision with this album.
"Step Lightly", the second offering in the duo, is a long awaited follow-up to her first jazz and blues recording, "In the Pink…" (2001). Among Carter’s original blues compositions on "Step Lightly" are brassy fan favorites “Complicated Woman” and “Hooray For You”. Seven of the eleven tracks are well-loved standards from the Great American Songbook, including “Almost Like Being in Love”, and “I Can’t Get Started”. For the title track, Carter offers lyrical counterpoint to Joe Henderson’s big band composition, while the quartet swings a small-group arrangement.
“an Americana masterpiece-in-the-waiting...one of the best albums of the first decade of the 21st century.”
— John Book, The Run Off Groove
