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Melody Gardot: Sunset in the Blue - The Deluxe Version

By William H. Snyder
May 3, 2021
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Melody Gardot: Sunset in the Blue - The Deluxe Version

Henri Matisse, the master of the use of color, said, "Art should be something like a good armchair in which to rest from physical fatigue." Melody Gardot's Sunset in the Blue: The Deluxe Version shows its mastery, in both the color of its cover design and the execution of its musicianship. Back in the day, Matisse got in trouble with some art critics for his simile. Some listeners might have a similar reaction to Melody's music, but not all. Gardot's tone is as comfortable as sitting in an armchair sipping good champagne or brandy. Maybe Decca issued The Deluxe Version for the brandy drinkers. In the original version she is partially or totally credited for writing nine of the thirteen songs with lush orchestrations.

The Deluxe Version adds acoustic versions of five tracks without the lush orchestrations. Leslie Duncan's "Love Song," in The Deluxe Version, counterpoints Gardot with

Ibrahim Maalouf

trumpet
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Ibrahim Maalouf. An adult beverage will be even more enjoyable with the sound of his Middle Eastern trumpet and her honey-infused voice.

Philippe Baden Powell

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Philippe Baden Powell adds a Brazilian/European/Bill Evans touch throughout both versions. Some songs qualify as the finest examples, to use the late

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden's album title, of The Art of the Song, particularly the opening track of both versions, "If You Love Me." But it is not the only one, just the one that stands out.

The Philly Girl who lived out of a family suitcase for awhile has become a fixture in Paris and the European jazz scene. Check out the official YouTube video of "C'est Magnifique," below, for shades of its derivation from Aimee, Trintignant and Lelouch. Around the world critics compare Gardot to

Julie London

vocals
1926 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Julie London, Sade,

Norah Jones

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Norah Jones,

Shirley Horn

piano
1934 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Shirley Horn,

Diana Krall

piano and vocals
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Diana Krall,

Dinah Washington

vocals
1924 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dinah Washington,

Abbey Lincoln

vocals
1930 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Abbey Lincoln and

Marlene Dietrich

" data-original-title="" title="">Marlene Dietrich. All that being said, she is all Melody.

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Track Listing

If You Love Me; C'est Magnifique; There Where He Lives in Me; Love Song; You Won't Forget Me; Sunset in the Blue; Um Beijo; Ninguem, Ninguem; From Paris With Love; Ave Maria; Moon River; I Fall in Love Too Easily; Little Something; From Paris with Love(acoustic); Love Song (Ibrahim Maalouf); Trav'lin' Light; What Is This Thing Called Love; C'est Magnifique - Live in Namouche Studios - Antonio Zambujo

Personnel

Melody Gardot

guitar and vocals

Antonio Zambujo

vocals

Till Bronner

trumpet

Donny McCaslin

saxophone, tenor

Anthony Wilson

guitar

Dadi Carvalho

guitar

Nando Duarte

guitar, acoustic

Larry Klein

guitar, acoustic

Philippe Baden Powell

piano

Sam Minaie

bass

John Leftwich

bass

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic

Chuck Staab

drums

Vinnie Colaiuta

drums

Paulinho Da Costa

percussion

Ibrahim Maalouf

trumpet

Additional Instrumentation

On "Little Someting": Melody Gardot: vocals; Sting: vocals ; Dominic Milller: guitar; Antione Chatenet: guitar, bass, synth pads, synthesizer pluck and strings, drums.

Album information

Title: Sunset in the Blue - The Deluxe Version | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Verve Records

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