I just downloaded the new Melody Gardot album tonight, My One and Only Thrill, and I think it's another stunning body of work from Melody Gardot. Perhaps not as "straight" jazzy as her first, Worrisome Heart, but outstanding nonetheless, showing great depth and maturity, and considerable growth as a songwriter and vocalist. Her sustained last notes on "Lover Undercover" gave me goosebumps. This collection of music has a decidedly European flavor to it; as if her sensibilities were in Paris when she did this album. Overall, a sophisiticated and multi-layered album.

The producing is outstanding, BTW, just as good as the production values for her first album. I don't have a DAC yet for my main system, so I am listening to this album streaming from iTunes to my Airport Express via S/PDIF to my Arcam AVR and on out to Era Design 4 minis, and it sounds really good. Larry Klein's outstanding production talents clearly show through here.

Melody Gardot was my personal breakthrough artist of 2008; personally, I think she's the biggest female vocal talent to come along since Norah Jones. Worrisome Heart was a breakthrough, this album takes my breath away.

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