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Must every young vocalist be compared to
Norah
Jones? I really wonder, especially after reading yet another
reviewer comparing a new and splendid singer to Ms. Jones and
finding her wanting. What ought to matter is for performers to find a
style and material that suit them.
Katie Melua hasn't quite done that here, although some of the results
are memorable. I was particularly taken with
The
Closest Thing to Crazy, an iTMS freebie a while back. It's
the kind of song that gives me little shivers, as Ms. Melua sings
"How can happiness feel so wrong? How can misery feel so sweet?"
in a voice that echoes with pain and longing.
And if nothing else on
the album reaches that level of emotion (a cover of
I
Think It's Going to Rain Today is good but not exceptional),
they're a pleasant enough listening experience. I can't wait for her
to find a full album's worth of performances that match her potential.
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