Melody Gardot : My One And Only Thrill

Some beautiful vocals.
- Neil Dyson, 08/31/2009, Australia

Full title is: My One and Only Thrill [Non-Eu Version]

  Alma Fernandez - Viola
  Amy Shulma - Harp
  Andy Martin - Trombone
  Audrey Solomon - Violin
  Behn Gillece - Vibraphone
  Cecilia Tsan - Cello
  Christina Soule - Cello
  Darius Campo - Violin
  Dave Walther - Viola
  Drew Dembowski - Double Bass
  Gary Foster - Sax (Alto)
  Ira Glansbeek - Cello
  Irina Voloshina - Violin
  Jody Rubin - Viola
  Joel Derouin - Violin
  Katia Popov - Violin
  Ken Pendergast - Bass, Vocals (Background)
  Kevin Connolly - Violin
  Larry Corbett - Cello
  Larry Goldings - Organ (Hammond)
  Larry Klein - Bass, Vocals (Background)
  Liane Mautner - Violin
  Marcia Dickstein - Harp
  Melody Gardot - Guitar, Piano, Vocals
  Miran Kojian - Violin
  Natalie Leggett - Violin
  Nico Abandolo - Double Bass
  Nico Abondolo - Double Bass
  Patrick Hughes - Trumpet, Vocals (Background)
  Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
  Roberto Cani - Violin
  Robin Olson - Violin
  Roland Kato - Viola
  Samuel Formicola - Viola
  Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums

Melody Gardot's 2006 debut, "Worrisome Heart", was greeted with warmly enthusiastic reviews that never failed to mention Gardot's musical similarities to Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux, or her sadly compelling story of surviving a severe hit-and-run accident at the age of 19. The tragedy gave critics an irresistible hook, and the musical similarities -- which also include her vocal resemblance to Fiona Apple's smoky tones -- gave new listeners a familiar touchstone, but both merely provided an entry into a fine, accomplished debut. Released three years later, Gardot's second album, "My One and Only Thrill", proves that the first was no fluke; it doesn't build upon the debut so much as it sustains its quality. Like before, "My One and Only Thrill" is built primarily on Gardot originals (a fine version of 'Over the Rainbow' that closes the album being the only exception) that seamlessly blend sultry, late-night jazz blues, singer/songwriter introspection, and sophisticated pop melodies. If anything, "My One and Only Thrill" emphasizes Gardot's chanteuse qualities, feeling like more of a jazz album than its predecessor, thanks both to its languid atmosphere and also Gardot's phrasing, which elegantly elongates her melodies and slips into scat. These are slight, subtle progressions but what impresses is how thoroughly "My One and Only Thrill" lives up to the promise of her debut, offering another album that is as enchanting in its sound as it is in its substance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

2009 sophomore album from the Philadelphia-based singing sensation. Amazing though it is, the story of how Melody Gardot overcame the effects of a near-fatal accident to become one of the vocal sensations of 2008 is not the most extraordinary thing about the 23-year-old Philadelphia singer-songwriter. It is simply that here is a voice in a million; one that touches the soul. My One And Only Thrill is an intensely creative milestone, transcending genre distinctions of Jazz and Blues to offer a haunting personal musical statement that will appeal to all music-lovers.