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Finally, after years of people and technology failures and too many speedbumps to mention, Mr. Curt's latest studio album is ready, and it's a keeper. Bill Mason himself said, in a candid moment, "This is a great album - the best thing Mr. Curt has done".
There you go - a compliment from the heart. Get it while you can!

reviews:

Mr. Curt (Naihersey) always offers a refreshing approach to his music and his latest LowBudget release, "Ability and Desire", is no exception. Combining quirky combinations of jazz, pop, rock, and lounge, Mr. Curt and his supporting cast that features the excellent singing of Cathy Batscha on vocals & keyboards, Sven Larson on bass, Dave Kulik on drums, Jan White on percussion, with the addition of Cliff Tetle on clarinet, Mike Macrides on electronic drums, Ruby Bird Mason on accordian, harmonica, & percussion, Ramona Silver on vocals, Ron Marinick on keys, Doctor X (Tim Casey) on synth trumpet, and Bill Mason sculpture an eclectic, if not downright interesting collection of songs. Well penned and played, Cathy Batscha's lead vocals are the real focus here. Our favorites: "Mountains and Hills" and the Sade-inspired "Seven Sails" and "The Other End of the World". If the late great Frank Zappa were listening, the Mr. Curt Ensemble would certainly out a great big smile on his face.

- Doug Sloan, Metronome Magazine - June 2006
Listed as one of the top five CDs of June 2006

"Relation Ships" is like a showstopper used to end act one of a two-act musical. It has a handmade and homey feeling, and Cathy Batscha's vocals are almost beautiful enough to make a grown man snivel and blubber. But overall, I can't muster much enthusiasm for the other songs. Why? Are the instrumentals tuneless and gratuitously low-affect? Nope - they're almost insanely professional and jammed with masterful performances. This bongo-laden acoustic jazz ensemble is a finely tuned entity, melodic and euphonious, particularly on "The Other End of the World." Furthermore, I could righteously jeer only if the lyrics were unendurably clichéd rather than mostly merely anodyne and pretentious, or if all the tunes were a queasy blend of experimental and twee, instead of just the last two songs. Still, mostly, this just doesn't move me - and yet, I feel dirty - like I've been caught telling schoolchildren that acid is groovy and unprotected sex is cool. Because if the inestimably credentialed Mr. Curt (Naihersey) takes it into his hirsute head to record an album which, for all of its musical eclecticism, mostly seems to me like warmed-over cocktail lounge jazz, then, verily, who am I to say him: nay?

- Francis DiMenno - The Noise, June 2006

I love your new CD. I've been listening to it non-stop in my car and while painting a house up in Maine. Your CD shares company with Johnny A, Beatles, Inara George, Madeleine Peyroux, Aimee Mann and a few other stalwart pop artists. They, my friend, are in good company with "Ability & Desire."

The performances and production are first rate, but I'm really drawn to the atmosphere and songwriting. For me, melody is everything. I don't even consider lyrics until the music gets me. You and your ensemble pay homage to traditions and left turns. Your influences (I've seen that record collection of yours!) are honored, yet you draw upon your own past work (solo & Open Hand) and marry the two. The vocals are especially effective and Cathy's work in tandem with yours (and the immense humor you inflect) makes the CD cohere in ways that are rare in pop duets these days. I love the fact there's no over-singing and that the comfort of your efforts make the CD so eminently listenable. Back to the melodies: I know you're a big risk-taker and the risks you take flirting with odd chords and phrasing support the traditions of good jazz, pop and folk. Your Brian Eno (the musical links a la "Apollo"), Dr. John ("One of These Mornings"), and Zappa mutations make the whole shebang quite shebangalicious. Really.

I think "Ability & Desire" impresses me even more because it's so cinematic, it's so entertaining. "The Other End of the World," and the children's songs (especially "Doggytown") roll like vintage film. The whole thing is even better on earphones. You're on my iPod, man, and your stuff resounds well upon close listening.

I couldn't be more impressed. The themes are positive and inspirational. I know this has been a tough year for you, struggling with loss and engaging in a lot of life's reflection, but you emerged intact with such hope. I'm so proud of your spirit, my friend.

- Ed Morneau - teacher/writer/musician/friend