Wright's collaboration with Craig Street continues on The Orchard. While her prior releases boasted contributions from some of the jazz world's most respected jazz players, The Orchard features an eclectic cast that includes noted singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon, who co-wrote several songs with Wright; Calexico members Joey Burns and John Convertino; avant-guitar hero Oren Bloedow; longtime Bob Dylan sideman Larry Campbell; Ollabelle member Glenn Patscha; and guest vocalists Catherine Russell and Marc Anthony Thompson (aka Chocolate Genius).
The Orchard's fluid, intimate performances reflect the unpretentious spirit in which the music was created. The project actually began with a set of photographs taken by Wright in her rural hometown, focusing on the orchard of the title, a setting that she's known since childhood.
That organic approach was maintained throughout the recording process, which took place at studios in upstate New York's Catskill mountains, in Tucson, Arizona and Brooklyn. The sessions emphasized spontaneity and chemistry.
That rare ability to exist within the musical moment is one of the qualities that make Lizz Wright a special artist and The Orchard a career milestone. "This record was a huge learning experience, in every way, and I think it showed me a lot about myself," she states. "I never would have imagined that I would have written some of the things I wrote on this record, or told some of these stories. But I felt really free and I really let myself go, and I surprised myself."
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Lizz Wright:
The first time I was introduced to Lizz Wright was on the Sunday Morning show's music review. I was mesmerized. Her voice is raw emotion, sultry, and rich in tones. The Orchard is excellent, especially song #4 (Hey Mann) and #12 (Strange).
Great music for drinking wine!:
This is a fabulous cd. I am amazed Lizz Wright is not more well known since she is so talented. This cd is sultry and bluesy (albeit a little mellow) which makes it a great cd to unwind with a glass of wine!
A voice from heaven:
I learned about this CD from watching CBS Sunday Morning -- This woman's voice is soulful, smoth and silky -- just a dream to listen to. And her lyrics are just as strong. Buy this album -- you won't regret it. Great for any hour of day. It's 5:00 am as I write this and I'm enjoying the track "When I Fall" -- and I'm confident you will too (though you don't need to listen to it at 5 am!)
With this fine album, she has found 'her' voice.:
Lizz Wright has never been shy of experimentation with her sound - seemingly exempt from any commercial pressure, she has been allowed a journey (perhaps by her label) that many of her contemporaries would truly envy.
"The Orchard" continues with evolution of her artistry off the beaten path and the result is an incredibly personal album.
Working again with producer Craig Street (a producer famous for his work with a broad palette of singers such as Cassandra Wilson, k.d. lang, Me'Shell... more info
