Madeleine Peyroux The Blue Room Review

Music.  I love music.  All forms.  From classical to hard rock.  My itunes library contains music from so many different genres because I have go-to-styles for each emotion or “chore” I’m doing at home.  Lately I’ve been drawn to more soulful and jazzy music.  Especially after a busy, stressful day at work.  I enjoy cooking so much and always have some music playing with me while I chop my vegetables.

In February, I was introduce to Madeleine Peyroux and her new album titled “The Blue Room”.  It’s become my new favorite playlist from 5pm – 7pm.  It’s a perfect way to end the day.

MADELEINE PEYROUX’S THE BLUE ROOM

Madeleine and longtime collaborator / legendary producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock), re-examine Ray Charles’ classic, and one of his most controversial albums, Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music.

But instead of replicating the album, Madeleine and Larry represented the artistic freedom Ray exhibited, using imagination to break down musical categories and barriers.

What Madeleine and Larry created is a sophisticated album rich in strings, pushing the power of Madeleine’s vocal capabilities – her melody changes, choices of tone and phrasing. The Blue Room explores new ground, showing that like jazz itself, Madeleine is willing to take new chances – reinterpreting songs with an emotion and depth that can’t help but touch the soul.

“I didn’t want to just do a straight forward covers album,” says Madeleine. “When Larry first brought this project to me, I was so moved by what I heard that it truly inspired me to both reinterpret these songs while also merging them with others that I thought fit perfectly.”

“Ray’s ‘cultural landmark’ album has always been a part of me,” says Klein. “Madeleine naturally came to mind with this project. Much like Charles who in 1962 jelled R & B, Gospel, Country and Jazz, Madeleine is at a nexus of styles. She comes from the same places, blending Jazz, Blues, Country and Pop.”