Customer Reviews

Got You on My Mind

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux, who has become one of my favorites, collaborates with multi-instrumentalist musician William Galison in this outstanding CD recorded in 2003. The combination of Ms. Peyroux distinctive voice, and Mr. Galison masterful accompaniment on the harmonica and guitar, make this album a must have. As a team the duo conjures-up pure magic! The chemistry between them is absolutely palpable. There are three solo instrumentals on the disc, original compositions by Galison. His virtuoso work on the harmonica is superb, and the mournful "Jealous Guy" is one of my favorite cuts. The two are backed by some of the industry's top musicians, including drummer Shawn Pelton, Bob Dylan's bassist Tony Garnier, and Rod Stewart's bassist Conrad Korsch. Carly Simon makes a delightful cameo appearance in "Shoulda Known."

The opening track, "Back In Your Own Backyard" simply swings. Josephine Baker's sultry "J'ai Deux Amours is updated here, and Ms. Peyroux's rendition of Jerome Kerns' "The Way You Look Tonight" is performed with extraordinary depth, as is the title track. Galison and Peyroux sing a duet in "Heaven Help Us All" to the sound of Jean Baptiste Bocle's Hammond B3. Songs made famous by John Lennon and Stevie Wonder are also featured.

I first heard Madeleine Peyroux sing when I bought her highly acclaimed CD, "Careless Love." I was enchanted by her voice and her selection of songs and wanted more. Thus, "Got You on My Mind" joined my CD collection and certainly enriches it. I have heard many people couple Ms. Peyroux's name with Billy Holiday's. I don't want to be contrary, but I don't want to compare her smoky smooth sound to anyone else's either. To me, there is no other like "Lady Day," nor does there have to be. Madeleine Peyroux, who brings a husky, full-throated sensuality, along with joyous spontaneity and, at times, a romantic languor to her songs, certainly does not have to stand in another vocalist's shadow. She clearly stamps the music with her own special style - and a very classy one that is.
JANA

"Got You On My Mind" (Waking Up Music) is the musical collaboration of William Galison & Madeleine Peyroux featuring a series of standards and original genre pieces. The subject of the album seems to focus on relationship ideas, positive and negative, collectively spinning through a multitude of styles to reach its final destination. This album was recorded prior to Peyroux's own sophomore effort "Careless Love," during a time that the two shared a romantic and artistic relationship. Legal issues with Peyroux's current label prevented the immediate release of this compilation, which thankfully offers multiple pieces of interest for the appreciative audience

The opening track is a delightful cover of "Back In Your Own Back Yard" that is sizzling good swing superior to a multitude of previous versions of this standard. As always, Madeleine Peyroux sounds like Billie Holiday reincarnated for a modern audience. Her voice is a wonder to behold-and if anything, Peyroux's vocals offer slightly more whimsy than those of the great Holiday. The pairing with Galison and his excellent multi-instrumental skills focusing here on the harmonica and guitar, gives this track, along with many others, that Django like sense so popular with the current dance crowds. "J'ai Deux Amours" allows Peyroux to offer cheer to a lover with delicate French chanteuse styling, and great tempo changes in the musical tapestry. "Flambee Montalbanese" is a Viennese Waltz brought to the listener by way of a covered gypsy wagon--an excellent fast-paced instrumental piece with an eastern European feel. The album's title track "Got You On My Mind" is a slow bluesy riff that gives the artists the opportunity to blend vocals, and knowing the origins of the album, becomes a strangely fitting and contemplative recording on reflection.

Other provocative selections on this compilation include "The Way You Look Tonight" played in a folksy-style with a bossa nova pulse under Peyroux's magical singing, and Galison's repentant lead vocals in the deeply bluesy "Shoulda Known," featuring Carly Simon as the Scorpion. There's a bit of a tribute to John Lennon with the slow and pensive "Jealous Guy," and a bit more comedic musical background entertainment with Galison's "Rags for Madi." The album's closer, "Heaven Help Us All" which gives the listener another duet from the artists, reaches out with a plea for the saving of mankind, but based on the overall themes presented, it may be a request for salvation from the things that exist in all of our hearts and our constant struggles with how we relate to each other.

It's a rare thing when the chemistry on an album is palatable. But `Got You On My Mind' is a rare record. From the opening track you can tell these two musicians really connect. Peyroux's sensuous, lilting voice is present on the majority of the tracks, but accompanied by Mr. Galison's amazing harmonica it has a less of a contrived quality. The few tracks without Peyroux, whether instrumentals or with Galison singing (he has a very good voice of his own) give the work a remarkably coherent pace. It's not like, `oh, where did she go?' Rather, `yes, this is where the record should be taking me now.'

`Got You On My Mind' is beautifully balanced and produced. It's not confronting, but then it doesn't fall into the soft jazz category either. It's just lovely, quality music from two musicians who know their craft.

This music is playing in my office as I look out at the beautiful spring day outside, and it is linking up so perfectly with everything good that I had to write about it. People passing my door nod and smile about the sounds, one with a "thumbs up."

I saw this duo at the Bottom Line last year when I had actually gone there for the other act, Olu Dara, and they were so human and delightful to look at that the music was secondary. Listening now, layers of their spirited gentleness unfold. Highest recommendation!

I really liked this record much more than "Careless Love," even though that's the one that seems to be getting a lot of attention. I especially like the male-female dynamic on this album, and the eclectic sound offerings. My favorite songs are: "Got You On My Mind," "Jealous Guy" and "Shoulda Known." The harmonica playing by William Galison gave me such a peaceful, calming feeling and Madeleine Peyroux sounds wonderfully unique. It's a really nice record.

This is a great little CD -- and something fans of Ms. Peyroux, old and new, will especially enjoy. Not only does the record contain some of her best-known live-performance numbers, it features the talented guitarist/harmonica player William Galison, who proves himself a fine singer in his own right. Unlike "Careless Love," this is NOT a smooth jazz record -- it's far more retro and breezy. Definitely a keeper.

This is just a phenomenal cd. The teaming of Madeline Peyroux and William Galison is nothing short of brilliant and the end result is nothing short of perfection! Their talents blend effortlessly and there's a definite artistic chemistry between these two. Nearly every track is a stunner: "Back In Your Own Backyard" and "Got You On My Mind" swing like a lazy afternoon in a hammock. Francophiles will love how "J'ai Duex Amours" segues into "Flambee Mantalbanese" - and having Carly Simon 'guest voice' on "Shoulda Known" just adds to the treat - but "Heaven Help Us All" is a near-poetic masterpiece which moves me to tears every time I hear it. One can only hope they'll find it in their hearts to record together again - but if they don't, they've given us a wonderful gift.

I got this CD a while back and recently have been listening to it again and in light of Madeliene's new CD, one must assume that "I'm All Right" is related to her relationship to Galison. Seemed like their romance turned sour and this CD has a lot to do with it. Anyway the master piece in this CD is the 1936 Kerns brothers "Just the Way you Look Tonite" It is genius! The backdrop is Bossa Nova, light and airy and Madeliene's phrasing is perfect, giving the right amount of inflection in the right spot and the Harmonica riff just adds even more to the interpretation. Ginger and Fred would have been impress, the first singers to sing this song. Okay, now the CD itself, its a good addition to your growing Madeliene Peyroux collection. "Back in your own BackYard" is a fun song and there's the title track "Got you on my Mind" there's a lot of version to this old song, unfortunately this is my first time to hear so it sounds original to me. I like it, Madeliene makes it mournful and the string accompaniment is right on. Highly reccomended.

I can't remember why I bought this CD in first place but it was a fortunate decision. This is an excellent piece of work with talent bursting through in every area. I would highly recommend this work, it has a mix of songs that are familiar and new at the same time and illustrates what a great voice owned by someone who is not satisfied to just cover classics. The music is clearly at the center all of the time and the fact that we are listening is nice but she would be singing if we were not listening.

2 albums in 9 years??! I couldn't imagine what Madeleine Peyroux was up to!
Than a newsletter arrives & informs me of GOT YOU ON MY MIND. What a treat!! William Galison & Madeleine are a great match. How I would've loved to see them live!
This is just one wonderful recording!