Worrisome Heart＜限定盤/Pink Vinyl＞

デッカは、メロディ・ガルドーのデビュー・アルバムが15周年を記念してデジ・スリーヴ盤でリイシュー。

彼女がまだ22歳の時にリリースされた『Worrisome Heart』は、このシンガー・ソングライターを21世紀を代表する次代の、そして最も輝かしいジャズ・スターとして世に知らしめた。メロウなブルース、折衷的なフォーク、ジャズの崇高な蒸気に包まれた本作は10曲入りで、卓越した語り口、ニュアンス豊かなフレージング、巧みに構築されたアレンジメント、そして何よりもメロディの心を揺さぶる美しい歌声を披露している。

デビュー15周年を記念してピンクのカラード・ヴァイナルでもリイシュー。

Melody Gardot's debut recording, released in 2006, came two years after she suffered a near fatal automobile accident, the differently able Gardot triumphing in accomplishing what many others, including her, could only dream of. This project has her singing and playing guitar and a little piano, but more so presenting this project of all original material. Gardot has an interesting personal story, but even more intriguing music that straddles the line between lounge jazz, folk, and cowgirl songs. She's part sophisticated chanteuse, college sophomore, and down-home girl next door. Her innocence, sweetness, and light are very alluring, much like the persona of tragic songbirds Eva Cassidy and Nancy LaMott. Feel empathy for Gardot, but don't patronize her -- she's the real deal much more that many of her over-hyped peers. "Quiet Fire" is definitely her signature tune, as it speaks volumes of where her soul is at, in a jazz/blues mode, yearning for true love. The title track follows a similar tack, a slow, sweet, sentimental slinky blues that will melt your heart. A finger-snapping "Goodnite" leaves you wanting that night to continue, but also exudes a hope that permeates the entire recording. She might be a bit down on men during the nonplussed "All That I Need Is Love," but her subdued optimism glows cool. "Sweet Memory" might possibly parallel Feist or perhaps KT Tunstall in a rural country mode, while "Gone" is clearly folkish, and the slow "Some Lessons" expresses a contemporary Nashville precept. The laid-back music behind Gardot is basically acoustic, incorporating hip jazz instrumentation, especially the trumpet of Patrick Hughes and occasional organ, Wurlitzer, or Fender Rhodes from Joel Bryant, but with twists including violin, lap steel, and Dobro. The concise nature of this recording and these tunes perfectly reflects the realization that life is precious, every moment counts, and satisfaction is fleeting. Likely to be placed in the Norah Jones/Nellie McKay/Madeleine Peyroux pseudo jazz/pop sweepstakes, Gardot offers something decidedly more authentic and genuine. She's one-upped them all out of the gate. ~ Michael G. Nastos

女性シンガーが活況を呈すなか、またもやとびきりの逸材が登場した。この初作はジャズやフォークやブルースを軸に、ニック・ドレイクを彷彿とさせたりもする繊細な楽曲と、バーバンク音楽に通じるノスタルジックな編曲が秀逸。何と言っても22歳とは思えない落ちつきぶりとニーナ・シモン的な哀感を漂わせる歌声が絶品だ。気まぐれなスキャットに頬を緩ませつつ、気付けばあっという間の全10曲。またリピートしよっと。
bounce (C)岡本 大輔