Pine Trees and Peyroux

I love outdoor concerts. Central Park, Prospect Park, and Battery Park in NYC have all provided wonderful evnings of entertainment. Other favorite locations include large outdoor concert halls, such as SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in upstate NY or Great Woods (now Comcast Center) in MA. I've even been to shows at the Allentown Fair in PA. But on the grass, next to the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, ME? I wasn't so sure. I was eager to see Madeleine Peyroux, but her bluesy jazz seemed more appropriate for a smokey bar and berets, not pine trees and plaids. Yet there we were on Saturday night, surrounded by fleece pullovers, and it felt like a Paris cafe.

[caption id="attachment_468" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Peyroux Live at L.L. Bean"][/caption]Madeleine Peyroux has a voice that conjures up legends like Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, and Peggy Lee. Her live performance was intimate, despite being outside, with several hundred people in beach chairs, and next to one of the largest outdoor sporting goods stores in the US. Her music pulls you in and one imagines the Eiffel Tower or Sacre Coeur around the corner. Peyroux is not a dominating force on the stage, but she is what I think my brother would call, a 'musician's musician'. She plays guitar and sings, but also interacts with her band. Jazz and blues musicians engage in a give and take, where no one dominates and the songs. It allows listeners to appreciate and enjoy the whole sound, not just the vocals and guitar but also the piano, the underlying bass and the smooth percussion. This may come from her years of busking in Paris, where musicians comfortably join each other on the street. One lone guitarist can quickly turn into a small ensemble.

My brother introduced me to Madeleine Peyroux several years ago. Her album Careless Love captured me right away. I couldn't take it out of the CD player. Her voice is addictive. Her music, whether its sorrowful or hopeful, seems to sound a bit like being in love. But the kind of love where you enjoy wine, good music, and easy conversation. When love is comfortable, because its been around for a while.

On her first few albums Peyroux covered old songs that suited her voice, but now she's writing her own. Her new album Bare Bones, released in March, has eleven originals. Her voice is soulful yet light. Some have compared her to Norah Jones, but they have very different musical styles. While I like Norah Jones, Peyroux's voice has some deeper and juicier tones.

Listening to Peyroux, I'm reminded of a different Jones, Rickie Lee, who captures that relaxed feeling of good love. Rickie Lee Jones is more rock 'n roll than jazz, but it's rock 'n roll served with a glass of red wine. Maybe more of a smokey bar in NYC or San Francisco rather than Paris? Pull out her self-titled album from 1979 and listen to "Night Train," "Easy Money," or "Weasel And The White Boys." While you're at it just listen to the whole damn album, because it's a classic. She's best known for her hit "Chuck E's In Love", an amazing song that gets under your skin and makes you smile. For more of her jazz and blues sounds listen to Pop Pop. It's not that Peyroux and Jones sound similar vocally or musically, but they capture a similar feeling.

Madeleine Peyroux is still on tour, so don't miss her. If you can't see her live, pick up an album or two, grab a few bottles of wine, and create your own Paris cafe. Apparently it doesn't matter where you sit or what you wear to capture this feeling. As for Rickie Lee Jones, she's been putting out a new album every couple of years. Her last one was in 2007, so she's due for a new record soon. When it finally arrives, you can be certain that you'll read about it here.

See and Hear Music in This Blog
Try my Peyroux and Jones mixes on Grooveshark. I've only included two albums in each of these playlists, but you can listen to any of their recordings on your computer before you download.

Madeleine Peyroux Don't Wait Too Long (Live)
Billie Holiday God Bless the Child
Edith Piaf La Vie En Rose
Peggy Lee Fever
Rickie Lee Jones Chuck E's In Love