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Product Description
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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CD Description
Secret Symphony, Katie’s fifth studio album, is an exquisite collection of songs that perfectly showcases that unique, instantly recognisable voice. Those songs include ‘All Over The World’ (Françoise Hardy), ‘Gold In Them Hills’ (Ron Sexsmith), ‘Nobody Knows You’ (Jimmie Cox) and ‘Moonshine’ (Fran Healy). Katie’s also written her own song ‘Forgetting All My Troubles’, and she teams up with manager and producer Mike Batt on ‘Heartstrings’ & ‘Lone Wolf’. Batt also contributes title track ‘Secret Symphony’, ‘The Walls Of The World’, ‘Better Than A Dream’ and ‘The Bit That I Don’t Get’. The result is a collaboration that imbues the songs with a distinct personality that could only be the work of this creative team. The record allows Katie’s distinctive voice and the songs to truly shine.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Back to where she started. Good songs , beautifully sung , with excellent backing / orchestration.
No "rocking rubbish". Also back with the depth that Mike Batt brings.
Lovers of melody and "Close to Crazy" - this is for you.
No "rocking rubbish". Also back with the depth that Mike Batt brings.
Lovers of melody and "Close to Crazy" - this is for you.
30 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have always admired the talents of Katie Melua but looked forwarded to this release with a little apprehension. Her last CD "The House" was an interesting experiment but sadly did not work and so it with joy that she returns to working with Mike Batt. This CD is probably the best she has made in her career. They work so well together, it is perfect harmony. I've only listened to the CD twice and already I have several favourites. "The Bit That I Don't Get" is sheer brilliance - I've been there and the song says it all. "Nobody Knows When....." is a classic of another age and Katie realy brings her jazz influences to the fore. With just 11 songs I know that each of them is going to become a personal favourite. The only "complaint" is that the version of "All Over The World" is just a straight copy of Francouise Hardy and I would have liked some personal influence rather than copying the original - I can see why they selected it though, the voices are so similar. Welcome back Katie, this is a really superb CD, a truly gifted relationship between Katie and Mike Batt.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have never bothered to write a review until now. This album is just superb. I see one reviewer has played it 3 times already. I go further than that as I have had it on replay in my car since receiving it last week. I love Katie's voice and the choice of songs, but what helps to make this new album extra special is that she is once more collaborating with Mike Batt, so well done both of you and everyone involved. I look forward to the tour!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
fabulous album
I'm a big fan of Katie.
She has a beautiful, clear voice which is effortless and natural. No breathy gasps, no gimmicks, just lovely haunting, songs, sung by a professional,... Read more
She has a beautiful, clear voice which is effortless and natural. No breathy gasps, no gimmicks, just lovely haunting, songs, sung by a professional,... Read more
Published 4 days ago by SueCo
Review of Latest Album
Having listened to all the tracks this album gets abck to KM's original vocals that I like so much, not impressed with the House album but this one is great.
Published 15 days ago by V
Brilliant Katie
This album is superb with Katie Melua's range of notes amazing and always sung with clarity & consummate ease. Read more
Published 18 days ago by DAVEA
Fanatastic CD
This CD was a breath of fresh air. very moving songs and very well sung. Such a bright young star. Loved it.
Published 23 days ago by Diana M. Graham
Kate her Best
If you were a fan when you heard 'Call off the Search' then you will love this latest disc. Katie has gone back to her roots and I am so happy to hear her doing what only she can... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Patchwork Pauline
Fantastic!
I bought this for my Mum and she plays it all the time in her car! She loves it! I'm sure others will too :-)
Published 25 days ago by Mr. J. Jones
Katie and Francoise
This is Katie at her best. For Francoise Hardy fans there is one number that will bring it all back for you.
Published 28 days ago by Randolph
easy listening
what a fantastic album, not one track that fails to please. If you like Katie you will not regret buying this, it`s worth listening to, very relaxing.
Published 28 days ago by deepo
Katy Melua never disappoints.
Great CD. I was afraid that it would be too typical 'Katie Melua' which is a very distinctive sound but, although it is true to form, it is different enough from her previous... Read more
Published 29 days ago by Battersea Lady
Another Great CD
I ordered this CD as soon as I heard it was being released, I could hardly wait. As soon as it had been delivered I put it into the player and listened. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Ebbens
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