The Orchard

I must admit, I had to wait to comment on Lizz Wright's considerably warm pipes. I have been disappointed with so many young artists who either forsake all originality for the quick buck or they fizzle out after the first album. I listened to her first CD, the Jazz-Pop oriented SALT, and then the ethereal DREAMING WIDE AWAKE. Now that she has released THE ORCHARD, I cannot hold my tongue any longer.

Wright is unquestionably one of the most original and sincere young artists to arrive on the music scene in the last three decades. THE ORCHARD finds Wright again produced by Craig Street who has an uncanny ability to get vocalists to dig deep into their own psyches. Wright's smokey vocals blend folk, country, soul into what sounds and smells like her (and my) native Georgia. This time out, however, Wright co-wrote 8 of the 12 tracks on this CD. Her most frequent compositional partner here is the underrated Toshi Reagon (daughter of Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, noted historian, vocalist and founder of Sweet Honey `N the Rock).

The opening track, a Wright/T. Reagon composition "Coming Home" has a gospel/anthem quality. "Leave Me Standing Alone" is a decidedly funky uptempo plea. Yet Wright does best when she shows off her considerable interpretive skills on the old Ike & Tina Turner chestnut "I Idolize You." Her reading of Patsy Cline's classic mid-tempo "Strange" is slowed down here and turned into a languid and haunting torch song.

But buyer beware. This is not Soul music; it is not Folk; it is not Jazz; it is not Blues; and it is not Country. But it contains components of all of the above. It reminds the listener of the hybrid that is Southern music, and Georgia music in particular. I can smell the Georgia pines and feel the red clay between my toes with each listen.

All of Wright's albums tend to become more impressive and more enjoyable with each listen. THE ORCHARD continues that tradition. Wright's deep and serene introspection may not appeal to all listeners. She almost requires that the listener bring something of him/herself to the table. But if you hang around awhile, you will not be disappointed.

The woman's voice is maddeningly beautiful. Heavy and sweet like molasses. And this album does it justice. Not to knock her other two albums, those were in there own right above average, but if you listened to her sing just once you knew there was something more, a fire to her voice she didn't tap into yet, but it stirred in the background.

It's on display all over this disc. It sounds as if Nina Simone made a country album, with all the trials, terrors and pain of her best work played up with fiddles, sullen choruses and just the right amount of a slow burn. Songs like "It Makes No Difference" is proof; it just breathes on its own, like a good song should.

"Song For Mia" with its guitar and piano leading into Wright's quivering voice is a soul cleansing revelation. As is "When I Fall," her delivery betraying the undercurrent of insecurity.

These songs wouldn't work so well if the voice wasn't so bonded to the music. Wright isn't striving or belting to give you angst. It's all subtle heartbreak, oozing out of that alto like smoke from a chimney in winter. I won't even get into her ripping through "I Idolize You" where she gives it a pensive, cautious warning to her lover instead of the rawness and sexy punch of Ike & Tina Turner's version -- it works.

Brilliant record.

I own the first two CDs from Lizz. After listening to this CD once, I believe this is her best work. It sounds like her vocal skills have gotten even better since the last CD. Sometimes her voice appears haunting, as though she is entranced by the spirit of the song. Lizz seems to take you on a journey and for a few moments, you become as an actor in a theatrical presentation of feel-good music. Yes, this CD is incredibly palpable. Lizz is a Big Gulp in a desert of singers whose throats are parched.

This CD has more of a blues vibe to it, and it has a lot of variety. The hallmark of a great CD is when most of the songs are worth listening to, and this CD certainly qualifies. Highly recommended.

Simply a powerful performance on every song. Her voice is so rich and heavy. I honestly got chills over her cover of 'I idolize you'. Her whole album has a distinct depth that draws you in and cradles you. It makes you feel something, relate to something in your life as if you wrote the song yourself. Very powerful. Very worth it.

Lizz Wright has proven herself to be a talent to be reckoned with...and The Orchard has made that a rock solid promise.
Every song draws the listener into a world of soulful retreat. So much needed in a world gone mad.
Lay back...relax and enjoy the rich and beautiful voice of a true talent. Put your confidence in the hands of someone who knows how to transport you into another world, where music transcends all that leads us into chaos.
Another Angel, Song For Mia....such heavenly beauty...ONE LISTEN....and You're Hooked. Lounge in the wonder that is "The Orchard"....you'll be so glad you did.