By 7:30

Vonda Shepard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 20, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jacket Records
• ASIN: B00000IJGG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,371 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. By 7:30

2. Mercy

3. Clear

4. Sail On By

5. Confetti

6. Cross To Bear

7. This Is Crazy Now

8. Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow - (with Emily Saliers)

9. You And Me

10. Venus Is Breaking

11. Newspaper Wife

12. Soothe Me

13. Souvenir

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Vonda Shepard was a veteran singer/songwriter with spotty success behind her when she caught a break as the musical voice of Ally McBeal. The audience that connected with that popular TV drama quickly took Shepard's music to heart, making a huge success of the 1998 soundtrack album. Now Shepard returns with her fifth disc. Coproduced by Mitchell Froom in a radio-ready style at odds with his experimentation with the likes of Suzanne Vega and Latin Playboys, By 7:30 will surely please those who are primed for its earnest cracked romanticism. Others--the type of listener, for instance, who's less than thrilled to note a guest appearance by Indigo Girl Emily Saliers--are likely to find its overwrought, clichéd sentiments irritating at best. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "7:30" shows Shepard's time has come, November 10, 2000

By 

John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: By 7:30 (Audio CD)

An exceptionally talented singer/songwriter the music industry wrongly overlooked, Vonda Shepard got the chance of a lifetime when TV producer David E. Kelley hired her as a regular vocalist on a little show called "Ally McBeal." The show became a runaway hit, a soundtrack was released, and suddenly an artist without a hit to her name was getting constant airplay and selling platinum. And considering much of her material on "Ally" are covers that tie-in to the show's plots, Shepard's next move as a singer/songwriter should be especially interesting, right? Right. Rather than hire a hot, in-the-moment producer and get cozy with Sony, the label behind "Ally"'s music, Shepard impressively continued on the folky, introspective path begun on the pre-"Ally" album "It's Good, Eve," and teamed up with innovative producer Mitchell Froom (known best for his work with Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Los Lobos, among others). An early-years Joni Mitchell influence is obvious throughout the record, particularly on the title track and the stark ballad "Soothe Me," but Shepard's voice is unmistakably her own.

"Clear" cleverly positions acoustic piano against programmed drums and keyboard accents, "Sail on By" is a gorgeous piece of pop/rock balladry ready for radio, and the energetic "Confetti" offers some of Shepard's most clever lyrics to date ("poetry and tattooed dreams/and 14-karat noserings/the children of elite/are trying to be street"). "Newspaper Wife" is a country-tinged piece of blues/pop whose story of a lackluster relationship inspires a brilliant progression in production: both the music and Vonda's vocal start off wistful, then regretful, and wind up generally ticked off...wailing guitars, go-for-broke vocal ad libs, and lines like "I'm a slave and it's my own damn fault" make for one of the most chilling moments recent pop memory.

It's nice to see "Baby Don't You Break My Heart Slow," a superior cut from Vonda's self-titled 1989 debut, re-recorded here for a second shot at commercial success. Which version fans prefer, however, will depend entirely on their fondness (or lack thereof) for Indigo Girls vocalist Emily Sailers, brought in here to make the reworking a duet. The argument could be made that Shepard needed no one's help on the track, but there's no arguing the song's beauty and grace either way. But for "7:30"'s crowning moment, look no further than the Middle Eastern-tinged "Mercy," a touching account of a woman's past and artistic tendencies bearing inevitable influence on her lovelife: lyrics like "I've loved the elusive in every man I saw/I drew them to me like they were the last straw" make for some of the most unique and honest songwriting this side of the aforementioned Joni Mitchell.

In hindsight, singing covers every week on "Ally McBeal" was probably just the right inspiration to make this solo project such a bold declaration of self; whatever the reason, her fans are all the luckier for it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic disc of original Vonda creations, not remakes, January 7, 2000

By 

It's just me (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: By 7:30 (Audio CD)

Vonda -- a true find. I reluctantly took my wife to see Vonda (on the Ally McBeal tour) in Salt Lake City. I was ready for a yawn. Not so, instead she blew us away. She was fantastic. She has an incredible voice with great band backup. Yea, she's good on Ally Mcbeal singing others tunes, but she really, REALLY shines on her own work. By 7:30 was my 4th Vonda CD. At first listen I almost panned it. I wan't getting it. Big mistake! Then, on my second and third listen, I was hooked.

Plus, while Vonda's vocals are great her Bass player is amazing. This guy belts it on occasion throughout the cd. Crank the volume and enjoy.

Vonda and her band are true, unique, real artists. Yea, she does remakes on the show, but get ALL her original discs to really appreciate her. She has great lyrics and meaning plus incredible artistry and beauty to her music.

She has really brightened many a day with her unique music and voice. Thanks Vonda. You're a real find. Hey everyone, buy all her cds.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this CD!, April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: By 7:30 (Audio CD)

This CD is more reminiscent of "It's Good Eve" than the "Ally McBeal Soundtrack." Vonda is great when she does covers of other artists, but her original music is even better. If you are a fan of women singer-songwriters like Jewel, Sheryl Crow and Tori Amos, you will love Vonda. The duet, "Baby Don't You Break My Heart Slow" with Emily from the Indigo Girls is beautiful. "Confetti" reminds me of The Jam--it's a catchy tune. I highly recommend this CD!