Second Sight

Kate St. John continues to pursue a pop/classical hybrid on her second solo album, adding some new elements along the way. At basis, the multi-instrumentalist (her chief axes being oboe, saxophone, and cor anglais) is interested in writing and singing art songs, using the Alhambra Quartet and adding her own instruments along with a few others here and there. She sings alternately romantic and lovelorn lyrics in a breathy voice over this calm chamber music for an ethereal effect. But she also offers the occasional change-up, collaborating with Russian rock group Aquarium and its leader, singer/songwriter Boris Grebenshikov, for "A Flicker of Gold" and bringing in slide guitar, accordion, and bajo sexto for the uptempo, Cajun-styled "A Foolish Dance." The result is still a rather esoteric, contemplative collection of original songs. But it will appeal to classical-crossover fans of such performers as the Kronos Quartet, Ute Lemper, and Elvis Costello (in his collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet).