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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Southern-born, Paris-honed Billie Holiday sound-a-like Madeleine Peyroux has been charming audiences with her sophisticated renditions of jazz/blues standards and torch songs for a decade now. Half The Perfect World differs from previous albums Dreamland and Careless Love in that Peyroux covers songwriters from recent times, rather than those of yesteryear. Not only that, but she has also included more of her own compositions -- four in total -- penned with long-time collaborator/producer Larry Klein. It's her own "It's All Right" (which also has writing credits from Steely Dan's Walter Becker) that gets the album off to an infectious and insouciant start. Backed by musicians Sam Yahel (Norah Jones, Bill Frisell), David Piltch (Holly Cole), Jay Bellerose and drummer Scott Amendola, amongst others, Peyroux then proceeds to take us through a smoky, emotive world of romance, eroticism and heartbreak populated by re-interpretations of classics like Joni Mitchell's "River" (a duet with k.d. lang), Tom Waits' "The Heart Of Saturday Night", Leonard Cohen's "Blue Alert" -- even Charlie Chaplin's "Smile". A string-laden version of Serge Gainsbourg's "La Javanaise" provides the anticipated French touch, while the remainder of Peyroux's own songs, in particular the heartfelt "California Rain" and the poignant "Once in a While", stand up surprisingly well next to the rest of the material.--Paul Sullivan
Product Description
Cd > Popular Music > RockCD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Madeleine Peyroux gained international recognition with her album Careless Love and it was an album that prompted me to buy all her previous work. Coming out with a third album under pressure of such success must be incredibly hard. As much as I really love her style and the mood her music puts you in, I have to say the third album is like the third series of The Office: you want it, but you just know you're going to be disappointed. This lady is passionate about her music and I wonder how much passion has been lost through the pressure of producing more music.
In short, it's a lovely album but just doesn't have the magic of Careless Love for me. That's why I've given it a 4.
In short, it's a lovely album but just doesn't have the magic of Careless Love for me. That's why I've given it a 4.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By M. J. Millar
Format:Audio CD
This is a good album but her earlier 2 were exceptional. They were sparse and let the music out but this one is more conventional, easy listening and over-produced for my taste.
I like it but this will never be one of my favourites - nothing as original as her interpretions on the first two albums and far too many instruments.
I like it but this will never be one of my favourites - nothing as original as her interpretions on the first two albums and far too many instruments.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Aaron J
Format:Audio CD
The jazz sensation is back - and quite remarkably, this album is stronger than her previous effort `Careless Love'. A logical progression form her last album, Half The Perfect World retains that effortless jazz sound along with those beautiful smokey vocals, but the standard seems to have been stepped up. The production, the song choice, and the original songs included here all add up to make what is undoubtedly one of the albums of the year.
A huge success with her last album, Half The Perfect World - with tracks like `I'm Alright', `River' and `Smile' - can only see Madeleine Peyroux's already burgeoning reputation grow.
A huge success with her last album, Half The Perfect World - with tracks like `I'm Alright', `River' and `Smile' - can only see Madeleine Peyroux's already burgeoning reputation grow.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arrived quickly and good product
Does what it says on the tin! If you like Madeleine then you will be very satisfied with this product.
Published 2 months ago by Brian Farley
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointing
Sorry, but I can't share the enthusiasm most reviewers have shown for this album. One cracking track - Leonard Cohen's "Blue Alert"- a few OK ones (the opener, the title track &... Read more
Published 6 months ago by oldhasbeen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very impressive album
I learned about Madeleine Peyroux in a rather circuitous route by searching using a "similar style to...." criteria. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Aremess
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad, but fantastic
Sad melodies, good versions, a good company for those days having a cup of tea when it is raining heavily outside. Good memories of London. I like it so much, highly recommendable.
Published 22 months ago by booklover
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recently Discovered Joy
Probably not the world's greatest singer but a ver enjoyable listen. Great to see in person as I did a year or so ago in Melbourne.
Published on 17 May 2011 by golferjohn
5.0 out of 5 stars
great sound
THis CD is a great production with catchy but calming melodies, a unique voice and great musicians. Worth buying it!
Published on 14 April 2011 by att
5.0 out of 5 stars
Half The Perfect World, Madeleine Peyroux - All perfect record
After an eight year wait between her first and second albums (Dreamland and Careless Love), chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux only made us wait a further two years for this, her third... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2011 by Victor
4.0 out of 5 stars
Moving and melancholy
We bought this CD on the back of hearing one track on Jamie Cullum's Radio 2 show. It's a beautiful album, perfect for winding down to and the end of a hard day.
Published on 2 Dec 2010 by Golightly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Madelaine Peyroux
A superb album which delivers excellent vocals. A worthy addition to your music collection to relax and enjoy.
Published on 14 Sep 2010 by Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars
perfect
love this cd i have careless love & bare bones but i rate this one as her best ever. its beautiful & melodic i have it on in my workshop whilst i make jewellery its seems to help... Read more
Published on 17 May 2009 by denise tingey
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