It’s been nice to see Melody Gardot receive a little recognition as of late. After quietly releasing her debut album Worrisome Heart last year, word quickly spread about this 24 year old jazz singer with a voice so ethereally perfect that simple comparisons don’t do it justice. And while her last effort was a wonderful album full of terrific songs, it seemed like more of a vessel for her chilling vocals than a fully realized work of art. With that being said, Gardot’s sophomore release, My One and Only Thrill, may very well be the young singer’s masterpiece. More focused, better executed, and dripping with emotion – if this album doesn’t make Melody a household name among music lovers, nothing will.
My One and Only Thrill is a different beast altogether than Gardot’s debut full length. Although it tends to lose a bit of the variety that was found on Heart, Thrill is far from complacent. The album begins with the string filled yet jazz paced “Baby I’m a Fool,” which sets the table for what’s to come. The majority of the new album is a melancholic, slow burning display of straight to the point and yet sublimely executed jazz tunes. There are exceptions of course. The early stages of the disc are bit more lighthearted than the latter acts. Whimsical tunes such as the guitar paced “If the Stars Were Mine” and the bluesy “Who Will Comfort Me” help keep from slowing down the album at too severe a pace. The brightest moments that are found on the album though are when Gardot finds a comfortable place within the sweeping subtlety of one of the many creeping sultry gems that no doubt highlight Thrill. From the expertly penned jazz ballad “Love Undercover” to the smoky track that follows it “Our Love is Easy,” Gardot has found what style best fits snuggly around her vocals.
The upbeat “Les Etoiles,” acts like the mediator between the first and second half of the disc. After the song, which is highlighted by the French lyrics that effortlessly roll off of Gardot’s tongue, the remained of My One and Only Love is highlighted by more subdued and yet even more moving numbers. The best of which is the piano layered beauty of “The Rain,” my personal favorite song on the album. Aided by a chill inducing lyric and an airy plea from tenor saxophonist Bryan Rogers, its run time of three and a half minutes is far too short. The title track is another of the many splendid gems. Its orchestral charm is transcendent, giving it an exciting and epic feel. The album ends with the only song not written or co-written by Gardot herself, a surprising Latin-themed version of the iconic track “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The redone version of “Rainbow” may very well be the most impressive track on the entire album, if only because of the new life that Meldoy breathes into one of the most well known songs of all time. There are lots of reasons why this version of the song shouldn’t work, there are just certain songs that shouldn’t be transformed this radically; but yet after hearing what she’s done with it there’s no doubt that I would be far worse off if I hadn’t had the privilege of having listened to it. Just like the album itself would be worse off for not having this terrific song end its glorious 11 track run.
My One and Only Thrill is not just more impressive than Melody’s debut album in just about every way imaginable, it’s impressive when compared to any other album released this year, or any jazz album released this decade. You think I’m over exaggerating? Well sure I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for beautiful girls that have voices that literally give me goose bumps, and sure I’m a sucker for a slowed down jazz tune so thick that you feel as if you could touch it as it lingers in the air, but I’m being honest with you here – this an album that could turn Gardot from a jazz singer into a legend.
"My One And Only Thrill" is on sale April 28, 2009 from Verve.
