Swan Feathers

Personnel: Leslie Mendelson (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, electric piano, Wurlitzer organ, background vocals); James "Stiff" Maddock (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Steve McEwan (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Bob Mann (electric guitar); Gordie Sampson (accordion); Rob Mounsey (musette, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); Dave Mann (alto saxophone); Andy Snitzer (tenor saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Ben Wittman (drums, percussion); Aaron Comess (drums); Ralph MacDonald (congas, tambourine, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Jay Newland.
Recording information: 333 Studio, NY; Avatar Studio C, NY; His House Studios, NY; Innsbruck Studios, Woodstock, NY; Sear Sound, NY; The Bunkhouse, Nashville, TN.
Arranger: Rob Mounsey.
If Leslie Mendelson's 2005 debut, TAKE IT AS YOU WILL, introduced the singer's promising piano-pop, SWAN FEATHERS, Mendelson's sophomore effort, allows the listener to become much better acquainted with the music's charms. Sounding like a cross between Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Mendelson is a jazz-folk chanteuse whose sincere songs of heartbreak and longing, heavy on melody and short on pretension, are a refreshing change from many of her trendy contemporaries. "I Know You Better Than That," "I See Myself with You," and "Hit the Spot" are among the highlights on this assured, well-crafted second release.