7.16.2010

a melody...


Continuing with my "get caught up on my magazine reading" push is this article from Elle magazine.  Small confession here is that because I have so little time to devote to anything other than jewelry or this blog, I usually just browse through the photos in Elle, looking for jewelry design inspiration, watching trends and so forth. 

Luckily Andrew Henry drove the 1,500 miles home from Seattle so I finally had time to read an article here and there - oh what I've been missing.  The particular article in Elle that struck me was a very well written piece by Mr. Andrew Goldman.  He introduced me to the amazing talent of singer-songwriter Melody Gardot.  Have you heard of her?  Again I wonder - "am I the last to know"?  Seems like I might just be because...

"She has sold more than half a million albums in jazz-friendly Europe. Before coming to Spain, she played three sold-out nights at Paris' famed Olympia theater"

Here is the part that makes her story especially interesting...

"Seven years ago, at 19, she was hit by a car while on her bike and suffered devastating injuries, especially to her brain. After months of going through all the traditional therapies for the brain-injured and still being unable to read, still struggling to speak and walk, she was encouraged by her doctor to try playing music..."

Continuing on I learned this tidbit, which also fascinates me...

"A Parkinson's sufferer, unable to speak or move, can, when listening to music, actually get up and dance gracefully"

Oh the power of music.  This description of her is in the 2nd paragraph of the article - this is what drew me in and made me go take a listen as soon as I got home. 

"singer on the radio who had so magnificently covered the Beatles' "Because." The first thing that hit me was the elegantly baroque flamenco-sounding vocal flourish that she tosses in before the first verse. The Beatles' original, with its lush harmonies, is obviously gorgeous, but in Gardot's hands, a woeful longing emerges in the song."

There was also this quote - she said...

"The crux of it is that I'm very much a young woman and an old woman at the same time"

I have felt this way most of my adult life.

Go take a listen for yourself and let me know what you think...




12 comments:

Maria said...

Mmmm - lovely! I agree with her statement. And how many times has your mum said of your daughter and my boys that they are "old souls"? Must be something that is being passed along, don't you think? I also agree with your self-assessment - and believe that it is what makes you so wise and so wonderfully creative and expressive.

Henley said...

I have seen Melody sing in person and she has a remarkable and timeless voice. Good choice here, I hope everyone takes a listen and becomes a fan. We need more music like this. STILL fascinated about those birds from yesterday, I mentioned it to everyone!

Claire Kiefer said...

Haven't heard of her till now, but her story sounds fascinating. Off to listen. Thanks for the recommendation!

KC said...

Interesting story and BEAUTIFUL voice. She is also very pretty. Thank you for introducing her.

MJM said...

I'm always interested in true musical talent. She's GREAT!

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

SOUNDS amazing! Wish I wasn't at work so I could listen!

Jillian said...

What an inspiration. You know in addition to music they have found riding a bike to be extremely easy and therapeutic for parkinsons patients. Amazing right?

And said...

It is an amazing story. I'm always fascinated by how the brain and memory works. After such an injury, to still have all of that musical talent stored up inside. Remarkable.

Unknown said...

That is really interesting! I feel like I have heard of her, actually, the story sounds familiar. How inspiring! XO!

Anonymous said...

OMG, that's awesome but so crazy. Who really would have thought of that!

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Lovely post, Jeanette!
Wishing you a lovely happy sunny and funny weekend. xx

pamela said...

thank goodness for the dr. who encouraged her. she is BEAUTIFUL and her voice is amazing. i hope she has as much joy singing as those who listen to her.