Escala - Escala

Track Listing

Requiem For A Tower
Palladio
Kashmir - Escala & Slash
Finding Beauty
Children
Live And Let Die
Chi Mai
Feeling Good
Sarabande
Clubbed To Death
Adagio For Strings

Escala, the divine electric string quartet who caused a sensation in the final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent 2008, finally unleash their astonishing debut album. Fusing contemporary sounds with classical instruments, Escala boast the freshest and most innovative sound of the year. Featuring the "Chi Mai" theme by Ennio Morricone, Craig Armstrong’s haunting "Finding Beauty", Led Zeppelin’s "Kashmir", "Children", by the Swiss Italian DJ Robert Miles, "Live and Let Die" by Wings and Escala’s signature tune, "Palladio", the eclectic collection showcases the girls’ wide-ranging love of modern music. The album has been produced by iconic, Grammy Award-winning British musician Trevor Horn, famed for his work with Cher, Seal, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Charlotte Church, Mike Oldfield and many others. 
Escala are violinists Victoria Lyon and Izzy Johnston. Chantal Leverton, a viola player and cellist Tasya Hodges, complete the line up. The ladies are deadly serious about their music, playing both acoustic and electric instruments and bringing stylish high-octane showmanship to their performances.

Good but not Great. 
I bought this album expecting it to be good............. Oh well........ 
It isn't bad but it isn't great either ! The 'rock' drumming on some of the tracks makes this sound like a 'jive bunny' album in places ( not that i own a jive bunny album) 
Even with Slash playing solo lead guitar on 'Kashmir' I can only give it 3 stars, (2.5 for Slash) 
Sorry but this is a cash grabber from simon c and co. 
Wait a few weeks and it will be in the bargain bin............ 

If you want a great new album then go for the new Eric Bibb cd 'Live at FIP', now that is pure talent. 


Amayzing! 
Usually I don't like this kind of music, I'm more into rock, but when saw Escala on Britain's Got Talent last year I thought were just fantastic. When I heard that they had an album out, I was made up!!! The fact that Slash wanted to perform with them, shows how good they are! I wasn't sure what to expect but when I downloaded it and listened, it was even better then I thought it would be. It has great songs and great playing. I recommond that you buy it!!!!

Escala 
Whilst it is a good album overall on every site relatng to the album we are lead t believe that there is a cover of Snow Patrols Chasing Cars this is not the case and there is no explanation as to why this song has been missed off of the album!!!

Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up

Track Listing
10 /10
Coming up easy
Growing up beside you
Candy
Tricks of the trade
Pencil full of lead
No other way
High Hopes
Chamber Music
Simple Things
Worried Man
Keep Rolling

Fans of Paolo Nutini’s debut album, These Streets might raise an eyebrow or two at this sophomore release. Produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon), Sunny Side Up features an eclectic and "rougher" range of songs that set it somewhat apart from its slick predecessor. Recorded in Ireland, Wales, New York, LA and the UK, Nutini--backed by his band The Vipers--tackles folk, reggae, soul and rock, with varying results. The Motown-esque "Coming Up Easy", the ballad "Worried Man" and the sea-shanty "Growing Up Beside You" are shining examples of Nutini's erudite songwriting skills, as is the charming, Dylan-esque "Tricks Of The Trade". But songs like "Pencil Full Of Lead" and "No Other Way", as well as his forays into reggae-lite and ersatz ragtime are less convincing, often sounding more like sketches than full songs. Whether Sunny Side Up is bravely eclectic or an incoherent disaster depends ultimately on the loyalty--and the patience--of the listener. 

Feel-good doesn't come close to describing this album 
Buying this album on the strength of the single "Candy" alone I wasn't sure what to expect. I was familiar with and liked Paolo's previous singles but was worried "Candy" would be the only standout song. What greeted my ears when I pressed play was glorious. The first tracks instantly reminded me of 60's motown songs like "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" in terms of the songwriting, instrumentation and quality of the recording. It didn't stop there and the album continued to delight with songs like "Pencil Full of Lead" and "High Hopes". I read one of the one star reviews which criticised "Pencil Full of Lead" for sounding like something from the Jungle Book. I completely agree, but that's exactly the reason why I love the song, and for the record I think the Bear Necessities is a great song, Phil Harris (voice of baloo) = Legend. If the world was a happier place this would be classic album, but since most people seem to only rate music which is bleak and full of woes about the world I fear this won't get the recognition it deserves. If this album doesn't put a smile on your face then you are not human and I urge you to get off of our planet. 

unique and exquisite 
Wow! this is an achievemnet for any artist let alone a 23 yr old! A real eclectic mix which literally takes you on a journey of emotions.Starting with the dancehall ska sounding '10/10.. an up beat catchy melody that give you an instant high... on to tracks such as the otis redding/sam cooke sounding 'coming up easy' which resonates with anyone whos experienced the warmth of young love. Moving onto the outstanding and haunting 'candy' on first hearing it could be mistaken for an old country song from the likes of willie Nelson.. its hard to believe a young man can sing with such depth and soul.. it generates such pathos in you and reveals the loneliness we all feel at times.. 'trick of the trade' and 'chamber of music' are without a doubt a tribute to dylan' and others on the album are a fabulous concoction of 1930s deep south style. An extremely ambitious 2nd album but one that's paid dividends.. Best album this year.

Worth buying 
I bought this from Amazon as a download and enjoyed listening to it. I think it's a grower, not an instant favourite. This is because Paulo's songs draw inspiration from all kinds of genres, country, to folk, to reggae...the list goes on. You can't pigeonhole the man. It'll take more getting used to, but then perhaps that makes this record more original than most. It is definitely less angsty that These Streets. Is Paulo growing up? I think he has a lot of talent and we haven't seen the best of this man yet.

Melody Gardot - My One And Only Thrill

Track Listing
Baby I'm A Fool
If The Stars Were Mine 
Who Will Comfort Me
Your Heart Is As Black As The Night
Lover Undercover
Our Love is Easy
Les Etoiles
The Rain
My One And Only Thrill
Deep Within The Corners Of My Mind
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
If The Stars Were Mine (with orchestra)

My One And Only Thrill follows on from Gardot's debut album, Worrisome Heart--a record that established the singer-songwriter as a serious (and seriously global) talent. Fans will be pleased to hear that her seductive mélange of subdued jazz, introspective blues and insouciant pop is continued on this second outing. Mercurial double bass, whispered hi hats and melodic piano and sax flow mellifluously through tracks such as the tranquil “On The Rain”, the torch song “Baby I'm A Fool” and the swinging “Who Will Comfort Me?” Of special note is Gardot’s weightless, samba-fied version of Harold Arlen's “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and the Blue Note-esque “Les Etoiles”. If you love Sinatra, Holiday, Jobim and Fitzgerald, you’ll find it hard not to dig Gardot. --Danny McKenna 

CD Description 
My One And Only Thrill is an intensely creative milestone, transcending genre distinctions of jazz and blues to offer a haunting personal musical statement that will appeal to all music-lovers. As with her acclaimed live shows, she captures and holds her audience in the palm of her hand. These eleven songs, covering a wide range of emotions are all her own except for an irresistible, Brazilian take on Somewhere Over The Rainbow. It would take a heart of stone to remain unmoved by the poignant title track "My One And Only Thrill".

Every Track a Thrill 
Do listen to a couple of tracks at least. Melody has a wonderful smooth, mellow voice, if you like Jazz, Female Vocals and, or, Easy listening you will be impressed by this and indeed her other albums.

The Star in the making 
The second album is sheer heaven, and will put her up there with the greats, if she carrys on with this level of skill. 

This album, as with the first one, will never be taken off my mp3, and I will be looking forward to the next offering from her. 

She reminds me of Janis Ian on her album Between the lines, in it;s great lyrics and tunes that will stick in the mind, and you find yourself humming all the time. 

If you only buy one album this year, make it this one

A PERFECT JAZZ ALBUM AT LAST...! 
Melody Gardot is a real talent who can write, play and sing songs very well. She has done an excellent album for jazz lovers by mixing old and new sounds. My favorite ones are "Your Heart is as Black as Night" and for sure "My One and Only Thrill". 

Do not hesitate to get it if you are really fond of listening to cool jazz female singers