Artist: Vanessa Zarate

CD: Ornament

Website: www.vanessazarate.com

If you want to read reviews of the new Matchbox 20 or Hanna Montana CDs you are reading the wrong writer! I am more interested in reviewing work that is special in one way or another.

In the case of this CD, it is special for several reasons. Firstly, Zarate is a classically trained vocalist, living in Southern California. Secondly, this CD is full of songs of such rare beauty that crying is not out of the question. Thirdly, the lyrics will inevitably lead you to believe that this performer has some serious issues.

The nine tracks in question seem to be a catharsis of sorts, with lyrics of intense poetry delivered over a very sparse backing.

From the opening title track you are left in no doubt as to who is controlling who in this listener/performer dynamic. The genre could loosely be described as chill out jazz/soul. Think Nora Jones, Leonard Cohen and Joss Stone all rolled into one and having their collective hearts broken.

My favorite track is Mine, where Zarate leaves no stone unturned in telling someone what a pathetic loser they are, but with such incredible beauty that I’m sure he came back the next day for more abuse!

I’m not your savior
I’m your captor
Your keeper
Not your friend

Don’t have to love me
Just die trying
I won’t make you happy
Just end your crying

The CD can be bought from her website at www.vanessazarate.com and you can also listen to snippets free of course.

Artist: Loreena McKennit

CD/DVD: Nights From the Alhambra

Website: www.quinlanroad.com

This is quite simply one of the most beautiful possessions that I own. For the uninitiated, Loreena McKennit is a Canadian performer, who, over the past 15 years or so, has produced album after album of ethereal, sublime beauty. She writes many original songs, often based upon stories from her extensive world travelling. She also takes classical poetry and puts it to music. Loosely described as Celtic, her music is really so much more, as it encompasses world influences from the middle east, eastern Europe and elsewhere.

A McKennit concert is a rare event. She went into virtual seclusion for many years following the tragic death of her partner in a boating accident. When she chose to return, she decided to do a TV special at the Alhambra in Granada. I cannot think of a more perfect marriage of performer and venue.

Now available as a double set, the DVD and Live CD capture the essence of this amazing performance. Performing many of her best loved songs, including, “Lady of Shallot”, a Tennyson poem stunningly put to music and “She Moved Through The Fair” surely one of the most recorded of all traditional Irish songs, but here done as well as by anyone else, this set should be owned by everyone who truly appreciates the finer things in life.

The stellar band of musicians which she assembled for this event are breathtaking and her inter-song chat is both intelligent, informative and amusing. This is a complete concert going experience in one of the most amazing places built by man. I guess you could discern that I like it!

by Martin Brown