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Vonda Shepard - Chinatown Audio CD

A fair review of the Vonda Shepard "Chinatown" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Vonda Shepard reviews here, or go back to the Vonda Shepard tabs.

Vonda Shepard Band: Vonda Shepard
Title: Chinatown
Rating:
Release Date: 2002-09-24
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Rainy Days 2: Chinatown 3: My Whole World 4: Lose My Way 5: Rain or Shine 6: Downtime 7: Gyroscope 8: In July 9: The Sunset Marquis 10: 7 Days 11: Promising Grey Day

Disappointed Fan
Chinatown was my fourth CD purchase and I was looking for the *real* Vonda, not the *Ally McBeal cover singer* as some of my friends used to call her. I fell in love with Vonda's singing the first time I heard her version of "Stary Night". Chinatown was pure enough in creativity but disappointing in terms of that "emotional fix" many of her previous recordings provide. I found little worth feeling in this album, especially in the title song: Chinatown left me cold and lonely. "Lose my Way" was the only song I really liked. But we always forgive those we love, so perhaps Vonda was just experimenting some new stuff with Chinatown and her next album will be a return to that wonderful mixture of rock and poetry she hooked me with in the other three CDS I bought before.


Even better live!
She's got a great stage presence and it's very obvious that she loves music, which makes all the difference for me, coupled with the fact that she wrote/co-wrote every song on this album. I've been a fan of Vonda since I started watching Ally McBeal, and when I found out she was playing at the Palace Theatre in London, I was there in a shot, and let me tell you the songs on this album are amazing live. Very listenable, very catchy and very worth buying.


starts out really great......
In the store I used my "first three tracks" rule, which basically means that if it is an artist I already know and like I will listen to the first three tracks to see if they pass my listening test. I have been a fan of Vonda's for a few years now, and was very excited when I came across her new CD. Well, I was quite impressed with the first three, and being a fan I went ahead and purchased it. Once in the car however, I quickly grew disappointed after the third track. It was like she had this great spark of inspiration that then just sort of gradually fizzled out as the recording wears on, (and I do mean wear). Each time I go back to listen to this CD I keep thinking, why couldn't the whole CD be like the first three tracks. Vonda seems to have often been haunted by an uneveniness in her music that sometimes leaves me feeling frustrated. While I really like the first three tracks I would say that unless you are a die hard fan you should seek out other recordings by Vonda before buying this one.


Vonda does it again!
She doesn't dissapoint with Chinatown! If you enjoyed by 7:30 you will love this! It's hard to pick a favorite track on this one but Rain or Shine is it for me. This CD is a must get! I admit I'm a huge fan of Vonda. A very special song, one of her balllads to be remembered. My husband and I had the awesome pleasure of seeing her this past weekend, what a show she puts on!We also talked to her afterward. She is such a classsy lady. See her if you can! And get this CD!.


Vonda Continues Her Magic!
The overall production is terrific and clear - as usual you can easily pick out the various/variety of instruments she typically incorporates into her recordings which prevent things from ever getting stale(HEY VONDA WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET A LIVE CD, A LIVE DVD AND A SONGBOOK?). After the Ally McBeal nonsense, I was hoping Vonda would not give it up and return to writing her own brilliant personal compositions and voila, Chinatown hits a home run! It's beautiful, creative and eloquent. In summary, yes, Vonda is my personal favorite of the music I listen too. I've seen her 2X in concert and was knocked out by her performances. The true test of any recording artist is the live show. To me, Vonda remains one of the most underrated composers, singers, pianst' and talents in the industry. I compare her to James Taylor, Bruce Hornsby, etc. And I could listen to her sing all day long. She is not mainstream; perhaps her songs are too complex for the masses, but she endures, because, in the end, there is no substitute for talent.


You can see a complete list of all Vonda Shepard discography, or go back to the Vonda Shepard tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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