Melody Gardot: 'My One and Only Thrill'
Melody Gardot was an inspiration to people both in and out of music when the singer/songwriter released her debut album Worrisome Heart. Now it seems that although she is at times still referring to her traumatic feelings of the tragic accident some 8 years ago, the confidence is evidently beaming out even more in this album.
This record mixes the more classic form of crossing Jazz and blues(Baby I’m a fool/your heart is as black as night) with some almost suttle samba like beats (ie Les Etoiles/who will comfort me).
“I don’t need anything more than I got, i'll make it simple when others may not” is a terrific example of the poetic way in which the Philadelphian singer seemingly encapsulates her feelings when times have been hard in the recent past. Along with 'Deep within the corners of my mind' (“ I keep a memory of your face and I only pull it out when I long for your embrace...it’s like a page out of Ernest Hemingway”),you can’t help but think that a young Morrissey could’ve written witty and clever lyrics such as these. Along with strings in the background, it compliments the poetry terrifically.
But perhaps the most significant and maybe bravest track on the album is the interpretation of Judy Garland’s signature song 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'. It is produced as an acoustic undertone along with settled and relaxed saxophone. The South American sound certainly gives the song a refreshing tone and all the components make for a stunning vocal performance from Gardot.
Creative, imaginative and a daring approach to her music gives Gardot’s second album a pleasant listen with many poignant moments on the way. And despite maybe jazz not being to everyone’s taste, it’s certainly worth sacrificing some of your time to endure 45 minutes of smooth and at times magic pieces of music.
Words: Sean Wright
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