Peter Karp & Sue Foley

He Said She Said

Blind Pig

by Dawn O’Keefe Williams

He Said She Said is Sue Foley and Peter Karp’s concept CD inspired by their friendship, and then love, for one another.  They corresponded with each other casually as two artists sharing their common bond of life on the road.  Gradually the letters shifted and became more intimate as Foley and Karp realized their feelings for one another.  He Said She Said is a reflection of their story and relationship.  It is an accumulation of love songs written by them featuring a wonderful smorgasbord of musical styles: blues, jazz, rock ‘n roll and folk.  Please note that this is not a traditional blues CD.  It is blues-based in roots music that is dedicated to all facets of love, in and out of relationships, that we can all relate to at one time or another.  The production and arrangements have the couple alternating duets with solo performances, thus making the CD interesting as each track is different.  Foley and Karp share equal ground as accomplished singer/songwriters and talented guitarists.

            The disc opens with a catchy cut that is reminiscent of a Bonnie Raitt type blues-rock duet, complete with sensuous slide guitar.  “Treat Me Right” depicts a couple having an argument and then transcends to the second song “So Far So Fast” a reflective folk number by Sue Foley that displays her wistful voice expressing surprise at unwittingly falling in love.   Peter Karp’s earthy vocal delivery in the melodic song “Wait” has a great play on words as each line describes him in opposing views as he laments that “…everything changed when you left me here baby.” 

Two cuts stand out that highlight Foley’s voice.  The torch-like song “Danger Lurks” by Foley and the jazzy “Scared” by Karp showcases this songstress’ ability to show you a dark side of love and lust with her jazz-infused, deep breathy vocal description of getting involved in something over her head. 

The CD’s overall production by Karp, Foley and Dae Bennett, as well as the arrangements and strategic placement of the songs are excellent. However, the song “Regret” seems misplaced in a concept album concerning love and relationship as a couple. Karp’s soulful “Ready For Your Love” with haunting lyrics that burn (“there’s a trail of tears behind every one of your steps of lost souls and broken men”) is brilliant.  Yet there were some lyrics in another song, “Mm Hmm” by Karp, that appeared he was trying too hard to make the words work, such as  “until your cell phone rudely goes beep, beep, beep”.  Otherwise, the musical arrangement in “Mm Hmm” is wonderful with an unexpected surprise of New Orleans style horns.

The CD He Said She Said stands as an excellent forum to bring out the talents of both Foley and Karp, who clearly complement one another with their writing styles and vocals.  It definitely has something for everyone with the diverse genres and lyrics that are sometimes serious, as well as playful and reflective.  The clever use of horns, harmonicas, and a flamenco guitar give this CD a unique twist to the theme of love songs and make it the type of CD you want to listen to over and over again.  He Said She Said is highly recommended.

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