C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
There is a special significance to Kris Adams‘s release We Should Have Danced. The recording features Adam’s original lyrics with arrangements by pianist Tim Ray, of compositions of the late Steve Prosser, Adams’ former husband and Berklee College of Music professor. Shortly after Prosser’s passing away in 2012, Adams came across a folder titled “Songs for CD” among the items he had left behind for her. Inside was a trove of Steve’s original music with many of the tunes having been written during their marriage. Some of the gems included on this frankly confessional and autobiographical album are the opening selection “Prophecy,” highlighting the pair’s first meeting, the emotional “Summer Moon Above,” featuring lyrics derived from Prosser’s original poem “Less Than Nothing” and the hauntingly beautiful album closer “Without You,” which the composer had originally titled “For Kris.” Adams sings all songs this that special engagement that accompanies the very familiar. Her creative part to the project makes Adams and Prosser equals on the recording with pianist Ray carefully tying up the package with his precise and sensitive arrangements. Adams show great courage, love, and dedication to the music, not allowing it to lay dormant, but breathing a vital life into the music, making it her and Prosser’s own.