CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Careless Love

by: Madeleine Peyroux

Release Date September 14, 2004
I first heard Peyroux' "Don't Wait Too Long" on NPR and immediately bought the Careless Love CD. What a treasure! At first she did remind me of Holiday, but the more I listened, the more I heard her own sound and style. This is one I can play over and over and never tire of (especially Between the Bars - incredible!). I have probably given this CD to a dozen friends, who in turn have become big fans. While I have also enjoyed her other CDs, this one remains my favorite and, I think, her best.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Dreamland

by: Madeleine Peyroux

Release Date October 01, 1996
The wonderful first album from Madeleine Peyroux, a jazz singer whose music and voice sound somewhat like Billie Holiday. This is very well-recorded and engaging music. Her two subsequent albums are also good. I like this for dinner parties, in the car and on long, sunny summer weekends (which we're currently experiencing).

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

From This Moment On

by: Diana Krall

Release Date September 19, 2006
Bought it for my mother in law and she loves every bit of it. Great music and good quality sound. Great gift. Promptly delivered

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Got You on My Mind

by: Madeleine Peyroux, William Galison

Release Date September 07, 2004
Well it is just like follywood and the record industry to piggy back someone with talent. I don't know this guy. I am sure he is nice, but obviously, he should not be singing on a recorded line. I am not being mean, just honest. He holds key but that's about it. This is not opinion, just fact. The arrangements here are not very good. She sounds great but the cheesy arrangements destroy any chance to salvage more than one or two of these - songs? I can only think that she was forced to do this, or maybe as a favor. She deserves better.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Surrender

by: Jane Monheit

Release Date April 24, 2007
I've been a huge fan of Jane since her first release, and was unfortunately quite disappointed by this album.

True, her voice is in wonderful form (when is it not?) but the weakness of this album lies mostly in the arrangements, which seem highly over-produced, sappy, and bland.

I get what she was going for here, perhaps a more lush and luxurious sound than the jazz combos of most of her previous recordings. But where as Diana Krall did this sort of thing very successfully with the interesting, haunting arrangements on her "Look of Love" CD a few years back, Jane's effort comes across as elevator music to my ears. The paint-by-number orchestrations and syrupy production values don't help, either.

I'd like to hear ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

These Four Walls

by: Shawn Colvin

Release Date September 12, 2006
Shawn Colvin has always been a rather charming artist of smart sentiments and pleasant arrangements - it leads to lovely, not especially challenging songs, and a general feeling of goodwill towards Colvin. I'm a fan, I suppose, but I'd never think of her as one of the great "artists" of her time. I suppose that's still the case after These Four Walls, but I did find myself compelled to buy it, and, a good year and a half after purchasing it, it strikes me that I still listen to the songs regularly, and that there's not a clunker in the bunch. "Fill Me Up" begins the set with charming guitar and a vulnerable, winning melody, and "These Four Walls" capitalizes on it with rather lovely anxiety. Throughout the records, though, Colvin seems to be on a songwriting ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Hang on Little Tomato

by: Pink Martini

Release Date October 19, 2004
Pink Martini are a Portland phonomenon. I am so happy to sing their praises. A fluke united their talent & 'the rest is history'. This album highlights the talents of all the band members, as well as several guests. Several songs are in different languages. Each member of this 'orchestra' is talented beyond belief. Their music is classical jazz/samba/blues ....fill in the blank. This is my feel good, clean the house, enjoy the day, cook an amazing meal track. It is so beautiful & uplifting. It stays in my CD & has also been a gift to several of my special friends.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Modern Romance

by: Sasha Dobson

Release Date August 29, 2006
For months, this CD I bought on an Amazon whim, became my favorite cd of my collection. I cannot really describe why it is amazing, all that I know is that it is. It is easy to hear the whole CD and there are numerous tracks with tangible meanings and all with her beautiful voice. If you do like it, you will love it. Sample some songs, if the voice on Modern Romance does not immediately resonate with you, this is probably not your type of music. I give this cd 5+.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

900 Miles

by: Bethany & Rufus

Release Date January 30, 2007
I had the pleasure - no, the privilege - of hearing Bethany and Rufus in a very small club in Sacramento just last night (9/12/07). A voice such as Bethany's is rare - her range is phenomenal. There is a haunting quality to her voice that is difficult to describe, and time after time, I felt chills run up my spine as I thrilled to her vocals and to Rufus' gifted cello playing. The miraculous range of music Rufus executes is as difficult to describe as Bethany's voice. There was one non-vocal piece, "Lament for Iraq" which I assume Rufus wrote that left me near tears, it was THAT evocative of sorrow, of a mournful wail. I bought both their CDs, both the "900 Miles" and Rufus' solo cd.

What a treat it was to see them. If you get the chance to see them in performance, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Mythologies

by: Patricia Barber

Release Date August 15, 2006
With a music library of over 1400 CDs, I listen to a lot of musical variety, but I have to have my daily fix of Mythologies, and have now for a whole year. Maybe I'm "in it too deep" to give a reasonable review, but I think Patricia Barber`s compositions about several Greek mythical figures are extraordinary beyond words because they strike at so many levels. It is very listenable as background music, although the first piece, The Moon, as a bookend, has a somewhat unapproachable (to some) intro. But then the rhythm kicks in and everyone takes off. On a musical level, the songs fascinate me at every listen, with her melodies, voice, unusual timings and long time-close knit innovative quartet creating exciting phrases, verses, solos and refrains, giving us little breaks long enough to catch ... Read More: