Record Reviews

MADELEINE PEYROUX ~ CARELESS LOVE ROUNDER 602498235836 (Barcode: 602498235836) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 This is the 2nd album by American Jazz singer / songwriter Madeleine PeyrouxFind albums by this artist, recorded with a team of talented musicians, which included guitarist Dean ParksFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist, bassist David PiltchFind albums by this artist and drummer Lee BelleroseFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, one of which is her original and the rest are covers of songs covering a wide range of genres. Peyroux, who spent her teenager days singing Jazz and Blues standards on the street of Paris, where she lived at the time, acquired some European sensibilities, which helped to take the American music scene by a storm in the early 2000s. Her vocal style and charm are immediately recognizable and she obviously learned a lot from classic vocalists like Billie HolidayFind albums by this artist and Bessie SmithFind albums by this artist. This results in her transforming contemporary Pop and Rock songs into “imaginary” old-times classics, especially on her early albums, like this one. In time I became quite fond of her voice and mannerisms and I revisit her albums occasionally, always having a great time. She should be appreciated for sticking to her aesthetic values and eschewing commercial temptations, despite her success, which is sadly almost never true in most cases of American singers. Overall, this is a great trip back in time, revisiting the early days of Peyroux’s early career, which I always enjoy. This is a wonderful collection of great songs, which never disappoints and is always a welcome escape in gloomy days.

Updated: 13/01/2026Posted: 13/01/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BESSIE SMITH ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS SONY 887254031024 (Barcode: 887254031024) ~ USA ~ Blues Recorded: 1923 - 1933 Released: 2012 This is a monumental collection of the material recorded by American vocalist Bessie SmithFind albums by this artist for the ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records, spanning over ten years and presenting her at the peak of her career, accompanied by the best instrumentalist available at the time. Although popularly known as the Empress of the Blues, she sang material which bordered between the Blues and the rapidly developing Jazz and cooperated with early Jazz titans like pianists Fletcher HendersonFind albums by this artist and Clarence WilliamsFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Louis ArmstrongFind albums by this artist and many others. There is no Jazz vocalist in the world today, who can claim not being influenced by Bessie Smith´s recordings and her revolutionary contribution to the art of singing, regardless of the genre. She was the pioneer and the model that all Jazz vocalists tried to follow, even when not admitting it openly. Hearing these recordings clearly shows how she progressed over time, taking bold steps into improvised vocal parts in addition to covering the basic melody, which no other vocalist tried before her. Her unique power of expression and the theatrical timbre of her voice were simply completely inimitable. She also wrote many of the songs that she performs here, which makes her the first female singer / songwriter, who managed to achieve a legendary status during her lifetime. Her life and career was cut tragically short by a car accident and the latest recordings included in this Box Set are her last. Remastered and mini-sleeved, this Box Set is an excellent tribute to a great Afro-American legend, who should not be forgotten and who still has so much to offer today. This is an essential addition to any serious music collection.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 10 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend