Album Description: Madeleine Peyroux doesn’t simply interpret songs, she possesses them…and vice versa. Half the Perfect World is the much-anticipated follow-up to Peyroux’s breakthrough album, Careless Love, which drew critical raves from around the world and sold more than a million copies. This time around, Peyroux focuses primarily on songs written by artists from her lifetime, including Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Fred Neil. The album also features an unforgettable duet with k.d. lang on the Joni Mitchell classic "River" and four original songs co-written by Peyroux, including the single "I’m All Right" which she penned with producer Larry Klein and Steely Dan’s Walter Becker. Half the Perfect World is a sublime showcase for Peyroux’s eloquent, understated delivery and timeless one-of-a-kind voice.
Amazon.com: Smokey-voiced chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux's third CD is a lovely collection of after-hours ruminations and should confirm her rise to fame. Credit producer Larry Klein for doing a bang-up job with the album's sound: the elegant, pared-down arrangements are all brushed drums, acoustic guitars, and cool organ licks. But of course it's Peyroux's voice that brings it all home--preferably one where the shades are drawn, embers are smoldering in the fireplace, and the white wine is kept dry. Two-thirds of the songs are well-chosen covers, including a duet with k.d. lang on Joni Mitchell's "River"; a relaxed version of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'," from Midnight Cowboy; a delicately lilting samba take on Leonard Cohen and Anjani Thomas's title track; Serge Gainsbourg's "La Javanaise," performed in the original French; and Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," from Modern Times. The four originals, all coauthored by Peyroux, easily keep up with such august company, especially "I'm All Right"--written with Klein and Walter Becker, it captures the easy sophistication of Becker's regular band, Steely Dan. Fans of Norah Jones (whose collaborator Jesse Harris cowrote three of the songs) should gobble up this album, but Peyroux is no mere imitator: She's her own, very real thing. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
More Madeleine
Dreamland
Careless Love
Got You on My Mind (with William Galison)
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Almost perfect
Peyroux is one jazz chanteuse with mass appeal - her mix of new tunes and familiar covers are seamlessly put together to a cohesive whole.
Her own compositions like 'I'm Alright' fit right ... Read More
Rating: - relaxing and enjoyable
I heard Smile on my satellite radio so I decided to buy this cd and another one of hers. I have yet to take this cd out of my car and it has been several weeks.
Rating: - Better late than not at all...
i guess i am the last person on this planet to hear of Madeleine Peyroux, matter of fact it was last week. i just went over the top with excitement and ordered Half the Perfect World and Careless Love immediately. ... Read More
Rating: - Michelle Peyroux Half The Perfect World
This cd is delightfully lyrical with songs I enjoy even while reading. Not too intrusive, the music lingers, however, in one's memory. I have played it frequently, sometimes listening to the lyrics and other times, ... Read More
Rating: - Dissapointing after her others
I really like Peyroux's first two albums - she has a lovely voice - but this one left me cold. The first track is very good, and the title track isn't bad - almost everything else is dull and lifeless. Some of the covers ... Read More
- relaxing and enjoyable
- Dissapointing after her others