...But over that, Motian has cannily placed the limpid, quietly evocative voice of Charlie Haden's vocalist daughter Petra – an artist more usually associated with alt-rock and a capella work. Haden imaginatively inhabits these songs, delivering a definitively unvarnished version of the title track over Motian's snuffling brushwork and Morgan's huge bass sound, and unfolding tenderly revealing accounts of Easy Living and I Loves You Porgy.....
The pairing of Japan-born, New York-based multi-instrumentalist/producer Yuka Honda and L.A.’s multi-voiced singer-violinist Petra Haden for their long-germinating If By Yes project created an "organic" way of music-making, according to Honda. If you can call a bicoastal collaboration organic.
This collaboration sprouted when Haden guest-sang on ex-Cibo Matto Honda’s 2002 solo album, "Memories Are My Only Witness." The results were so pleasing to them that they decided to pursue a further recording project, and after several years of cross-continental communication, they’ve now released "Salt on Sea Grass" on Sean Lennon’s Chimera label.
From the Album "Guilt By Association" 2007 Engine Room Records
http://www.engineroomrecordings.com/gba/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/guilt-by-association-bonus/id261887240
