Album Description: Wright's collaboration with Craig Street continues on The Orchard. While her prior releases boasted contributions from some of the jazz world's most respected jazz players, The Orchard features an eclectic cast that includes noted singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon, who co-wrote several songs with Wright; Calexico members Joey Burns and John Convertino; avant-guitar hero Oren Bloedow; longtime Bob Dylan sideman Larry Campbell; Ollabelle member Glenn Patscha; and guest vocalists Catherine Russell and Marc Anthony Thompson (aka Chocolate Genius).
The Orchard's fluid, intimate performances reflect the unpretentious spirit in which the music was created. The project actually began with a set of photographs taken by Wright in her rural hometown, focusing on the orchard of the title, a setting that she's known since childhood.
That organic approach was maintained throughout the recording process, which took place at studios in upstate New York's Catskill mountains, in Tucson, Arizona and Brooklyn. The sessions emphasized spontaneity and chemistry.
That rare ability to exist within the musical moment is one of the qualities that make Lizz Wright a special artist and The Orchard a career milestone. 'This record was a huge learning experience, in every way, and I think it showed me a lot about myself,' she states. 'I never would have imagined that I would have written some of the things I wrote on this record, or told some of these stories. But I felt really free and I really let myself go, and I surprised myself.'
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Average Rating:
Rating: - A voice from heaven
I learned about this CD from watching CBS Sunday Morning -- This woman's voice is soulful, smoth and silky -- just a dream to listen to. And her lyrics are just as strong. Buy this album -- you won't regret it. Great for any hour of day. It's 5:00 am as I write this and I'm enjoying the track "When I Fall" -- and I'm confident you will too (though you don't need to listen to it at 5 am!)
Rating: - With this fine album, she has found 'her' voice.
Lizz Wright has never been shy of experimentation with her sound - seemingly exempt from any commercial pressure, she has been allowed a journey (perhaps by her label) that many of her contemporaries would truly envy.
"The Orchard" continues with evolution of her artistry off the beaten path and the result is an incredibly personal album.
Working again with producer Craig Street (a producer famous for his work with a broad palette of singers such as Cassandra Wilson, k.d. lang, Me'Shell 'Ndegeocello), she moves further away from the accessible jazz of her 2003 debut "Salt" and toward contemporary soul without sacrificing any of her music's sensuality or spare beauty.
Her debut album was a great success critically, but "Dreaming Wide Awake" was an attempt at Norah Jones pop/jazz.
Now, Wright is back on the right track working with folk/blues ace Toshi Reagon on half the dozen cuts.
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Rating: - Flawless
Like something good that you know is good, Lizz Wright is synonymous with impeccability and goodness. Her third album is a testament to this. The beautiful voice and the prestine arrangement; its all there and its familiar and flawless.The album starts strongly with "Coming Home" about being back from a war or the mere battlefields of life itself, then finishes with "Strange" a haunting, resonant ballad about being left behind for another. Everything in between is all good. It's a pity she spends most of the concert season in Europe. I highly recommend that you take every effort to see her live. It will be an experience that you will cherish. Hearing her sing right there is like nirvana, the ultimate in high defintion sound. Her etheral voice transcends, its pure joy. If you haven't heard of Lizz Wright, start with "The Orchard" then work your way back to "Dreaming While Awake" and "Salt" You'll discover ... Read More
Rating: - Best CD in a long time...
Lizz Wright has cheered my days lately. Her deep voice and tender lyrics lull me through the commuter traffic. Try her out!
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- A voice from heaven
- With this fine album, she has found 'her' voice.
