My One and Only Thrill

Personnel: Melody Gardot (vocals, guitar, piano); Amy Shulma, Marcia Dickstein (harp); Miran Kojian, Irina Voloshina, Katia Popov, Robin Olson, Audrey Solomon, Joel Derouin, Kevin Connolly , Roberto Cani, Natalie Leggett, Darius Campo, Liane Mautner (violin); Jody Rubin, Roland Kato, Dave Walther , Alma Fernandez, Samuel Formicola (viola); Christina Soule, Ira Glansbeek, Larry Corbett, Cecilia Tsan (cello); Gary Foster (alto saxophone); Patrick Hughes (trumpet, background vocals); Andrew Martin (trombone); Behn Gillece (vibraphone); Drew Dembowski, Nico Abandolo, Nico Abondolo (double bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Ken Pendergast, Larry Klein (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt.
Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA; Market Street, Santa Monica, CA; Sage & Sound Studio, Hollywood, CA; Stage And Sound, Hollywood, CA.
Photographers: Nicholas Jhara; Shervin Lainez.
Although the plaudits for Melody Gardot's debut album, WORRISOME HEART, were entirely justified, it sometimes seemed as if the young singer-songwriter's compelling personal story--hit by a car and severely injured at the age of 19, the aspiring fashion designer began playing piano and writing songs as part of her physical therapy--overshadowed her music. Gardot's second album, MY ONE AND ONLY THRILL, dispells that sense entirely: this gorgeous collection of lavishly orchestrated jazz-pop ballads is the work of a genuinely talented singer-songwriter. Gardot's melodic sense is greatly matured: opening track "Baby I'm A Fool" and "Lover Undercover" have the feel of new standards in the making. Similarly, she's a more expressive and self-assured singer, with a canny sense of timing and a sultry lower register that's particularly suited to a Julie London-style kittenish purr, as on "Our Love Is Easy." MY ONE AND ONLY THRILL is one of 2009's best jazz vocal releases.