Review by Alamogordo Daily News

Subject: Review by Alamogordo Daily News
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1/02/2002 at 21:42:27

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December 20, 2001

A move to Albuquerque helped Alamogordo native Karl Simmons achieve her goal of making a living as a singer. Simmons, the daughter of Liz and Clark Christian of Alamogordo, moved to Albuquerque just over a year ago. She met her musical collaborator, pianist/vocalist Todd Lowry, at a singers showcase in Santa Fe. The two hooked up musically and in the past year have built up a steady string of gigs in the Duke City and Santa Fe. They have also released two CDs.

Simmons and Lowry, with their band, will present a concert at the Flickinger Center on Friday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Flickinger, KRSY radio, from Liz Christian or at Blonde Ambition salon.

Simmons graduated from Alamogordo High School where she was nicknamed Baby Benatar because of her powerful singing voice and resemblance to singer Pat Benatar. Simmons was once crowned Miss Otero County and she still performs every year at the Miss New Mexico America pageant in Alamogordo.

Lowry, originally from Minnesota, has lived in New Mexico for three years. He has arranged hundreds of publications for the nations largest music publisher and once played on a Grammy-nominated album.

The duo has a regular gig every Thursday at the Martini Grille in Albuquerque and frequently performs at the Sandia Casino, Milagro in Bernalillo and at Vanessies in Santa Fe.

In September the duo released a CD entitled The Road of Dreams. The CD features 15 jazz standards including the classic road song Route 66. The CD authentically reflects the duos' live show its simply piano, vocals and great songs beautifully performed.

The CD has received rave reviews. Michael Henningsen in the Weekly Alibi described Simmons voice as world-class and described Lowry's playing as the perfect thoughtful accompaniment.

David Steinberg in the Albuquerque Journal wrote,"Hearing Simmons voice in person would probably make your heart skip a beat. Or two".

The day before Thanksgiving, the duo released a second CD, "Christmas in New Mexico", which includes 17 holiday standards and two originals. The original title selection Christmas in New Mexico joyfully expresses New Mexicos unique holiday culture and traditions. For non-New Mexicans, the song comes with a 19-word glossary that explains such terms as ristras, luminaries and biscochitos. David Steinberg wrote in the Albuquerque Journal that Simmons' voice will give you goose bumps.

This CD again showcases Simmons voice and Lowry's piano, but it also features a fuller sound that includes bass, strings, organ and percussion played by Lowry and drums played by producer Keith Morris.

The duo has playful fun with jazzy selections like "Santa Baby", "Rockin around the Christmas Tree" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Rodgers and Hammersteins' "My Favorite Things" is turned into a driving jazz waltz and Blue Christmas into a rollicking New Orleans boogie.

Simmons tugs at the listeners’ heartstrings with her tender renditions of "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". On "O Holy Night" she proves that she has vocal chops worthy of legitimate classical repertoire.

Alamogordo radio stations KZZX, KRSY and 94 KYEE have been playing the CD. The duo has a web site at www.kariandtodd.com that lists their performance calendar and contains video and audio clips.