Me&Thee Coffeehouse, Marblehead, Mass. | Friday night concerts from September to June

Growing up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kate Taylor was immersed in the rich heritage of southern and uniquely American musical culture. A variety of musical styles infused her own musical style. Since she resumed her career in 2003 after a long hiatus to raise a family, she has released two well received albums. ¶ Opening is Sarah Blacker, whose music is a unique blend of acoustic rock, folk, and jazz with stand-out vocals and quirky yet catchy songwriting, which sets her apart from other female singer/songwriters.

Born in New England and raised in North Caro­lina, Kate Taylor’s dual musical heritage is one she shared with brothers James, Livingston, Hugh, and her late brother Alex. Kate’s roots run deep in the soul, gospel and rockabilly sounds of her southern upbringing and in the literate folk, pop and Appalachian stylings that comprise the balance of her family’s musical legacy. Kate’s newest CD, Fair Time, includes songs written or co-written by Kate. Her sparkling vocals are highlighted in songs that range from ballads to flat-out rockers and country tunes. A DVD about Kate’s life on Martha’s Vineyard, Tunes from the Tipi and Other Songs from Home, is a documentary about how she and her family made a tipi and lived in it for several years. The film is an exploration of life on Martha’s Vineyard through the songs they wrote over a span of decades of living and raising a family there.

Taylor formed her first band at age 15 and had her first record deal with Atlantic Records four years later — her debut album Sister Kate was released in 1971. Her second album, the 1978 self-titled Kate Taylor, was produced by her brother James and Lew Hahn. It was fairly well received, and produced another charting hit, “It’s in His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)”, done as a duet with James. Kate took a break and didn’t release her next record until 2003, Beautiful Road, a particularly personal album, dedicated to her manager and husband, Charlie Witham, who fell ill while she was recording the album and died shortly before its release. Kate now plays regularly in New York City, New England and the South. In 2005, Taylor released her first live album, Kate Taylor Live at the Cutting Room, a recording of a live concert made the previous year. Though her musical roots are rich and diverse she blends them seamlessly and effortlessly. Whether performing in a coffeehouse or an amphitheater, Kate has a warmth and joy that creates a connectedness between artist and audience that is enduring.

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Sarah Blacker was named Number 1 artist of 2009 by Max Bowen, writer for Noise Magazine, with her first release, The Only Way Out is Through, and Number 2 artist of WMVY’s Unchartered Waters Series. Sarah was the recent winner of Radio 92.9/Boch Subaru’s artist competition, and became the voice and face of Subaru of New England’s “Ooh, ooh it’s love,” TV and radio campaign airing throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic region for several months this fall/winter. She has just begun presenting her new CD, Come What May, to music scribes, radio DJs and fans nationally, with high levels of adoration coming back in response. Having studied Music Therapy at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Sarah is also a Board-Certified, part-time Music Therapist for children with special needs, involved with the Doug Flutie Foundation, and is an Ambassador for Ernie Boch’s Music Drives Us Foundation.

Photo by Andrew Wallach

• Sarah Blacker’s got a talent far and above what most singers can deliver. Her work is soulful, powerfully emotional, and can make you laugh, cry, or just forget whatever it is you’re thinking about and be absorbed by the music. Such is the case with Come What May, Blacker’s sophomore album and a continuation of her unique lyrical abilities and compelling songwriting. Listen to this album and you’re a few steps closer to knowing the woman behind the words. Do yourself a favor and listen to it twice. Max Bowen, The Noise