I admit to tuning in last night for Conan O'Brien's first night hosting The Tonight Show. Cyndemouse, T-La and I were all huddled near the telly to get our Pearl Jam fix while they performed. We switched over to Letterman and caught the tail end of this enchanting performance by chanteuse, Melody Gardot.
A Philadelphia native, Ms. Gardot was injured in a bicycle accident when she was 19 and still suffers memory loss, pain and sensitivity to light. She must wear special glasses and carry a cane but that certainly doesn't stop her from looking drop dead, old school bombshell, gorgeous. After the accident, she became interested in seriously making music as a means of music therapy. Prior to the accident, she played at piano bars.
Watch a video interview of her here (embed was disabled) where she discusses her music and accident while recording in the studio.
She says, "I gravitate towards scat because I forget the words." Although she doesn't consider herself a jazz singer. Discovering her is exciting to me. A big fan of Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Anita O'Day, it's great to finally hear a voice today that can touch the greatness of those from the past. All those women carried real emotion in their voices and Melody, does, too.
Her new record, My One and Only Thrill, is now available on Verve.
Whooo! She's awesome! Thanks for turning me on to that!
Posted by: m. heart | Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 10:24 AM