Three days in a row, and three days without something on Spotify. Ugh. Maybe need to start buying a few more things here and there.
Melody Gardot sings the song "Baby I'm A Fool," and it's one of the deepest, most romantic songs I've ever heard. That song alone makes me really excited to hear this latest album from a fellow Jersey-girl.
"Mira" has this really interesting Spanish love rhythm to it, definitely calling for a Calipso dance along. Her deep voice is not pushed, just hanging on the air in this perfect way, enjoying singing along ever so lightly. Even with the fast-pace of the song, she remains entirely easy to listen to.
"So Long" has remnants of Judy Garland unlike I've heard since Judy Garland. This is a person Melody lists as one of her main influences, so it makes sense, but I can't get over the resemblance. It's obvious in the singing of course, but also even in the recording method used, with having the vocals so much higher than the remaining instruments on the track. I just provides this all-around different sound that takes you back just a bit.
I was not looking forward to "So We Meet Again My Heartache" simply due to the sadness of the title. I have to give credit where credit it due though - the lyrical treatment of this is gorgeous. Sure, it's one to hear only in total tears, but the metaphors combined with sweet Spanish guitar are truly worth hearing.
There has to be a European/Spanish theme to this, or maybe even the artist as a whole that I don't know about. "Lisboa" has that same style we've been hearing, intertwined with... French, I think. The album, even in its saddest moments, has maintained this romantic air about it, which i believe is due to the musical treatment from overseas influence.
"Impossible Love" is downright sexy. I want to leave it at that, but I suppose I should elaborate, so I'll do it simply: french, strings, and a Spanish drag to them almost singing of a Tango.
Cute little horn lines throughout "If I Tell You I Love You." This one's cool because it's got these twists and turns musically, and a sounds of cute mystery. She's playing a game here with him, because the line after the title is said is "I'm lying." Sure, we don't condone the behavior, but given the nature of the song, I mean hell, everyone deserves to have a little fun once in a while.
"Goodbye" keeps up using the horns section in an interesting way, alongside the piano. These couple of songs sound like something straight out of a 20's/30's burlesque house. This style is unheard of these days, so it provides the nostalgic and novel all at once.
I think there's a male voice in here too, for "Se Voce Me Ama," but there's no credit given. Yup, they're singing together. It's a very slow, moving song, with a quiet sweetness about it. Again, voices hang on the breeze, un-pushed, and just playing out.
"My Heart Won't Have It Any Other Way" is so reminiscent of Ol' Blue Eyes. It sounds like there is a full orchestra behind her on a star-lit night. This, therefore, becomes a very sweet, classic sound of "I Love You" in a way we would rarely hear it on a new album today. This could easily become a new classic at weddings or dances (the ones put on by churches, not high schools).
Final song on the regular version (iTunes gives a few extras). "Iemanja" closes things out with the same opening Spanish rhythms, bringing the whole album full circle in a cool, different way. It sounds like the whole band is together in a circle, letting loose for this final time. There's sort of a bittersweet sound to the song, as it's a closing number, but happiness is strewn through there too. Not sure if anyone else gets these impressions from songs, but I like the images my own head decides upon.
Added To My Playlist (Yah know, if I could..):
- "So We Meet Again My Heartache"
- "If I Tell You I Love You"
- "My Heart Won't Have It Any Other Way"
- "Iemanja"
So hey, that was an experience! For a new album, the sound was completely different, and that's a really good thing. Hearing someone go about music in an old style, despite the odd demands of the current industry, is just a really cool thing to hear. I have a lot of respect for this lady in that she sounds like she's enjoying what she's doing and how she alone is doing it.