November 20, 2009
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From the very first song you know that this album isn’t just a collection of songs, but something personal to vocalist Melissa Walker. In The Middle Of It All is something of a comeback for the singer who was off the scene for some time due to vocal cord paralysis that resulted from an infection. Many of the songs, which Melissa picked for the return project seem to have a theme of coming back from loss, whether it’s from a health setback or the end of a romance. Among the songs she selected in this regard are Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up”, and the title track which sets the mood for many of the album. Drummer Clarence Penn co-produced the project with Walker and plays on it as well. He’s joined by Adam Goldberg on piano, Christian McBride on bass, Adam Rogers and Keith Ganz on guitar, and Gregoire Maret who plays harmonica on a number of the tracks. The many of the don’t swing in the traditional sense, but there’s a stunning calmness about that is appealing, making this project a strong return from a very strong talent, both off and on, again, the music scene.
Melissa Walker
In The Middle Of It All
(Sunnyside Recordings)
From the very first song you know that this album isn’t just a collection of songs, but something personal to vocalist Melissa Walker. In The Middle Of It All is something of a comeback for the singer who was off the scene for some time due to vocal cord paralysis that resulted from an infection. Many of the songs, which Melissa picked for the return project seem to have a theme of coming back from loss, whether it’s from a health setback or the end of a romance. Among the songs she selected in this regard are Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up”, and the title track which sets the mood for many of the album. Drummer Clarence Penn co-produced the project with Walker and plays on it as well. He’s joined by Adam Goldberg on piano, Christian McBride on bass, Adam Rogers and Keith Ganz on guitar, and Gregoire Maret who plays harmonica on a number of the tracks. The many of the don’t swing in the traditional sense, but there’s a stunning calmness about that is appealing, making this project a strong return from a very strong talent, both off and on, again, the music scene.
Click here to listen to a clip of “The Way He Makes Me Feel”.
Tracks: In The Middle of It All, Don’t Give Up, The Way He Makes Me Feel, I’ll Sing A Song, The Other Woman (part one), Forget Me (part two), Mr. Bojangles, If You Could Love Me, Invitation, I’m With You Now, Our Love Remains, Where or When.”
