In March 2009, her self-released debut album, Take to the Sky, reached the Top 20 on the Billboard magazine jazz chart. Way Down Low was released in 2012, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Her third album, The Big Picture, was released on September 30, 2014.
"You see a show like the one Kat Edmonson put on Tuesday night at Scullers, and you wonder what the heck people are doing at Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry concerts. Really, the world is unjust... Edmonson, a petite singer from Austin, Texas, is at once a throwback and a pioneer. Her intimate vocal style and stage presence recall the heyday of jazz
- she has the expressiveness of Billie Holiday, the elegance of Ella Fitzgerald, and the voice of Blossom Dearie. Yet she doesn't merely retread standards. Sure, she likes her Cole Porter, but she and her pianist/arranger, Kevin Lovejoy, molded and modernized chestnuts like "Just One of Those Things," "Night and Day," and "It's All Right With Me" into entirely fresh tunes with new harmonies, inventive rhythm structures, and sometimes mysterious undertones.
Edmonson has grown quite comfortable inside these songs, taking even more liberties with them than she did on her recent CD, Take to the Sky, which stands among the best records of 2009. Like Holiday, Edmonson likes to sing just behind the beat, which infuses her demure voice with drama and heartbreak.
Kat Edmonson is a great jazz singer.
Chim Chim Cher-Ee
Kat Edmonson Lyrics
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A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Good luck will rub off when I shakes hands with you
Or blow me a kiss
And that's lucky too
Now as the ladder of life has been strung
You may think a sweep's on the bottommost rung
In this ole, wide world there's no appier bloke
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cheree
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Up where the smoke is all billowed and curled
Tween pavement and stars is the chimney sweep world
When there's hardly no day nor hardly no night
There's things half in-shadow and half-way in light
On the roof tops of London
Coo, what a sight!
The lyrics to "Chim Chim Cher-Ee" by Kat Edmonson, originally from the movie Mary Poppins, capture the joyful and optimistic perspective of a chimney sweep. The song highlights the idea that a sweep is fortunate and "lucky" in their profession. The repeated refrain of "chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cheree" sets a cheerful tone and serves as an expression of the sweep's happiness.
The lyrics also suggest that luck is contagious. The sweep believes that good fortune will rub off on him when he shakes someone's hand or receives a kiss. This emphasis on connection and the belief in the power of positive energy demonstrates the sweep's optimistic outlook on life.
Furthermore, the song reflects on the unique vantage point and experience of a chimney sweep. While it may seem like a lowly and dirty occupation to some, the sweep finds happiness in his work. He describes how, from the rooftops of London, he witnesses a world where the dividing line between light and shadow is blurred. The chimney sweep's perspective offers a sense of wonder and awe, as he enjoys the view "tween pavement and stars" and appreciates the beauty in the midst of urban life.
Overall, "Chim Chim Cher-Ee" portrays the chimney sweep as a symbol of resilience and contentment, finding joy in simplicity and the overlooked moments of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cheree
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cheree
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
A chimney sweep is incredibly fortunate
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Good luck will rub off when I shake hands with you
Your good fortune will transfer to me when we shake hands
Or blow me a kiss
Or give me a kiss
And that's lucky too
And that is also fortunate
Now as the ladder of life has been strung
As the stages of life are unfolded
You may think a sweep's on the bottommost rung
You might believe a chimney sweep is at the lowest level
Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke
Even though I spend my time in soot and smoke
In this ole, wide world there's no appier bloke
There is no happier person in this old, wide world
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cheree
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cheree
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
A chimney sweep is incredibly fortunate
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Up where the smoke is all billowed and curled
High up where the smoke rises and swirls
Tween pavement and stars is the chimney sweep world
Between the streets and the stars lies the world of chimney sweeps
When there's hardly no day nor hardly no night
When there is hardly any daylight or nighttime
There's things half in-shadow and half-way in light
There are things partially in darkness and partially in light
On the roof tops of London
On the rooftops of London
Coo, what a sight!
Wow, what an amazing view!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind