2006: 15 of the Best. #12..
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From: Half the Perfect World
Label: Rounder
Released: September 12, 2006
Buy it: .
Well, thank God that someone tracked her down during that brief and still unexplained (I believe) in 2005.
Peyroux's third album (much like the Strokes, come to think of it) didn't really forge any new musical ground, but like its two predecessors (and unlike the Strokes), managed to get by very well, thank you, on it's retro-jazz fittings and Peyroux's voice alone, which sounds like it was lifted right off an old piece of vinyl from the late 1930s or early 1940s. "California Rain" is one of only three originals on the record (which includes covers of songs by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Charlie Chaplin), but proves that like a true student of the music she plays, she knows how to absorb every influence she has and mold them into her own unique style. Well, unique in a 2006 world.
One could imagine this kind of thing was run-of-the-mill 60 years ago, but maybe therein lies its overwhelming charm. Who else is doing this, and more importantly, who else is doing this THIS WELL? I've only been to California once and it didn't rain, which is just as well, considering it was vacation and I liked being out and about.
But if it sounds anything like this song makes it - plodding brush stick beat, electric piano, that soothing voice and all...
I might be up for a bit of it.
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