the sound of music

I went on a little CD shopping spree today. Whee! Picked up an exciting mix of new releases and am still making my way through them, but enjoying the auditory joyride thus far.

Katie Melua - Call Off The Search
Yum! Reminds me of a much more playful Norah Jones on guitar. Not bubble-gum playful, mind you, but tasty nonetheless. Mockingbird Song brings me back to my childhood - a little gift of nostalgia wrapped in a pretty package from Katie.

I first heard of her when Terry told me about the last-minute duet that she sang with Jamie Cullum on the Brit Awards. Now I'm kicking myself for not catching it!

De-Lovely - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Essentially a Cole Porter songbook, performed by a handful of contemporary artists, Robbie Williams, King of British Pop, sings the title track with ease and style. (He really needs to do a follow-up album to Swing While You're Winning) Followed by Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crowe, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, to name a few, this is a swingin'-good-times collection of some of Porter's best. I'm looking forward to the movie's release!

Matt Dusk - Two Shots
This guy is a local boy, who apparently attended St. Mikes, so I had to support him and pick up a copy of his CD. As the story goes, the title track was originally written by Bono for Old Blue Eyes, but hasn't been recorded until now. It's the highlight of the album, and as such, the Hot Nugget Remix is included as the bonus track.

This collection of songs is much more mellow than that of the other local boy, but it's good for nights when you need to unwind on the sofa in the dark, with a glass of red wine in hand.

I briefly entertained thoughts of seeing him in concert tonight at the Jazz Festival, but I'm simply too lazy to drag my butt off this chair and drive anywhere for an hour.

Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
When I close my eyes, I find myself transported to the beaches of Brazil with the sound of the surf and bossa nova rhythms. Makes me want to dive into the pool and enjoy the sound of Bebel singing to me from the deck. Tanto Tempo was a tough act to follow, but I think she may have done it.

Thievery Corporation - The Outernational Sound
Haven't made my way to this CD yet, but if this album is anything like their last effort, The Richest Man in Babylon, Eric Hilton and Rob Garza are sure to please with this latest feast for the ears that promises to combine bossa nova, rock, afro-beat, latin, easy listening, Indian, soul and reggae in an all new DJ session.