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Review
For her latest album, Secret Symphony, Katie Melua embraces songs old and new, cleverly chosen and winningly sung. She makes each song her very own, so much so that one wouldn't know that her cover versions hadn't been written for her. She is ably assisted by Mike Batt, whose long experience as a songwriter and producer is evident.
The earliest song here, Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out from 1923, presents a timely lyric on the theme of the transitory status of wealth while it swings gently in a Dixieland arrangement with tuba emphasising the revivalist spirit in the bassline. Other singers may have tapped deeper into its New Orleans roots, but Melua's expressive handling of the lyric is just as affecting for being understated.
The gentle nature of many of these songs suits her lyrical, youthful voice. There's a prevailing air of optimism to many lyrics of open country, which are complemented by imaginative arrangements that don't distort the spirit of the originals. The opener, Ron Sexsmith’s Gold in Them Hills, and the lovely Heartstrings, written by Melua and Batt, both tap into this vein; likewise Françoise Hardy's All Over the World, a trip down memory lane to 1965, but perhaps she should have sung this in its original French language.
The whimsical lyric to Moonshine, a gentle rocker with acoustic colouring, suits Melua to a tee. A song of her own, Forgetting All My Troubles, avoids the maudlin through a sleight of hand in the harmony. Another new song, The Bit That I Don't Get, is a cautionary tale with a country edge in the instrumentation, recalling a similar scene in the Rogers and Hart torch song It Never Entered My Mind. Overall, this is a very relaxing album to while away an hour, and it's beautifully recorded.
--Adrian Edwards
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've always liked Katie Melua's voice and have all of her albums - in particular I loved `Piece by Piece' but found `Pictures' a bit of a slog, so was pleased with the change in direction with the William Orbit produced `The House'. For the `Secret Symphony', KM is back with Mike Batt and I feared a `Pictures 2' but how wrong I was. This album has excellent production, coupled with some great songs, that showcases KM's voice and talent superbly. This is perfectly illustrated by the excellent cover of `Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out' - now officially my favourite Katie Melua album.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By musicmoll
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thi latest CD from Katie Melua is absolutely great. If you like her style of music and sultry tones this CD won't disappoint.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By BAZ316
Format:Audio CD
After the last album caused so many to argue she's lost it,trying to change her style a little,she comes back with something closer to what she's known for.
Personally,i loved THE HOUSE,but i'm also very much into the softer side of Melua,so this is fine by me.
Stand out songs for me are GOLD IN THEM HILL and THE BIT THAT I DON'T GET,but there's nothing on here i don't like,plus her voice is as beautiful as ever.
Now this is what i call a singer,you can keep your AMY WINEHOUSES or MARIA CARIEYS,KATIE MELUA beats them hands down in my view.
It seems a few found this dull,perhaps if they let it grow on them so that the tracks become familiar,let's face it,after THE HOUSE,people said she needs to back to the softer stuff,but now this is too bland for them,she just can't win. But saying that,she's still a winner in my eyes ...and ears.
Personally,i loved THE HOUSE,but i'm also very much into the softer side of Melua,so this is fine by me.
Stand out songs for me are GOLD IN THEM HILL and THE BIT THAT I DON'T GET,but there's nothing on here i don't like,plus her voice is as beautiful as ever.
Now this is what i call a singer,you can keep your AMY WINEHOUSES or MARIA CARIEYS,KATIE MELUA beats them hands down in my view.
It seems a few found this dull,perhaps if they let it grow on them so that the tracks become familiar,let's face it,after THE HOUSE,people said she needs to back to the softer stuff,but now this is too bland for them,she just can't win. But saying that,she's still a winner in my eyes ...and ears.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 21st Century Kate Bush
Katie Melua is like a 21st Century Kate Bush; She is creative and inventive with lyrics that make you think and she plays her own instruments ... how rare is that these days? Read more
Published 10 days ago by MR D M WEAVER
2.0 out of 5 stars
ok
not what i was exspecting not heard her music before and thought i 'd give it a go but not really my sort of music
Published 19 days ago by ae hill
5.0 out of 5 stars
The melody lady!
Tunefull songstress and great in concert. Some old , some new tunes. Very good value and most enjoyable melodic tunes.
Published 22 days ago by A. J. Vennard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Katie Melua - Secret Symphony
This is an excellent CD. It just arrived a little later than was thought. Enjoyed playing this CD in the car.
Katie Melua - Secret Symphony
Katie Melua - Secret Symphony
Published 27 days ago by AnneJ
4.0 out of 5 stars
Superb recording.
The recording quality is first class, Katie's voice is wonderful and the song writing is pretty good too. What's not to like?
Published 1 month ago by David C. Topping
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love it!
Love it! I have all her albums. I do not apreciate haveing to come up with a minimum word limit.
Published 1 month ago by Daniel Arthur Jacobson
5.0 out of 5 stars
OK
Le produit est arrivé dans les meilleurs délais et était dans un excellent état de fonctionnement. Le tout est OK
Published 1 month ago by J. Gamache
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gem
Listened 5 times in 2 days. Beautiful, relaxing, romantic music.
This will be a much repeated favourite on my MP3.
This will be a much repeated favourite on my MP3.
Published 2 months ago by David Gilchrist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
This is a great double album and her best one to date. The live second cd is excellent. Well worth buying.
Published 2 months ago by Nicholas Raynor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Secret Symphony Bonus Edition Katie Melua
Well above expectation a delightful CD - This CD (set) was purchased on the quality of Katie Melua's previous recordings. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Retired Archivist
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