Customer Reviews

Hope Waits

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This eponymous debut is one of the most interesting c.d.'s to be released in a long time. Hope Waits sounds like 2 parts Maria Muldaur, 2 parts Bonnie Raitt, .5 parts Madeleine Peyroux and 1.5 parts Sheila Jordan. Her music is similarly multi-inspired, being an interesting mix of jazz, rhythm & blues, and blues (both Chicago electric and "Muscle Shoals-variety").

The best thing about this c.d. is the production. With Hope Waits front and center throughout, the c.d. has a variety of musical colorations. Whether horns, accordion, capriorgan, tack piano, or a plethora of guitars, the c.d. never fails to fascinate. Kudos to the three producers: Douglas Grossman, Peter Malick (tripling as songwriter and guitarist) and Ducky Carlisle (also the mixer).

And it has a lot of creative musical touches. Consider "You Crossed the Line," with its whistles and Carlisle's "doo wops" portending restraint throughout the blues shuffle. Or consider Jerome Kern's staple, "Yesterdays," sounding like a Parisian opium den of the 1930's. Or consider the fuzz guitar on Dylan's "Ring Them Bells," sounding like a cracked one. Or consider Marty Ballou (string bass) and Ms. Wait's duet on the Arlen standard, "Come Rain or Shine," which sounds like a competition to see who can bend the most notes in a blues mode. Or consider the set ender, "Ignatius," which is a hymn sung over Malick's Frisellish chords.

Bottom line: the whole thing is quicky. But quirky is good! I hereby commission all hitherto unknown artists (and a few known ones, too) to get down and get quirky, by the powers invested in me (of which there is little, I know).

So far, 2008 to me has been hallmarked by the remarkable number of very good debut c.d.'s. Kelly Eisenhour's, Raya Yarbrough's and now Hope Waits' debuts have caused 2008 to be a year to be remembered for that reason alone. RC

Prior to buying this CD I only heard Get Behind the Mule. So beyond that song I wasn't sure what to expect. So what a wonderful surprise to listen to this CD and hear several amazing songs. The first song I'll Be Satisfied brings you right into the listening experience right away. Some of the sound is an older big band music but only in certain spots. Her singing really stands out and doesn't get drowned out by the music. She has one of the best voices I've heard in awhile. I would describe her as a more folksy Melody Gardot. However this is not folk music. Her sound isn't anything like Nora Jones or Bonnie Rait, but her style may be described as a little bit of those two singers. The only one I could compare her sound to might be Susan Tedeschi.
I really enjoyed the first 9 songs, the last couple songs were a little slower than the rest but as a whole this is an outstanding CD. Hope is definitely going on my list of must see singers.

I bought this CD by Hope after reading a recommendation of many others.
I sure got lucky, I can't thank the others who take time to write their recommendations enough or I would have missed her classic voice.
You need to check her out,
He voice is sultry,smokey sexy and bluesy oh Yes and wonderful to!!!!
Hope will have me buying her music as long as she keep it going.
This is unique, laid back and if you love female Blues artists you don't have to go far to find a primo one.
Her she is...
Tell her I sent you and then kick back and enjoy!!!!!!

For those tired of mainstream music on the market, Hope Waits is refreshing. I just got the cd and am very impressed. Hope to see Ms. Waits live one day. She has an incredible voice and delivery of new and old songs.

Hope Waits provides some of the most soulful music; amidst a sonic landscape groomed to each message. The variation of keys, themes and rhythms makes for a very rewarding listening experience. I have not been so excited about a new artist in a very long time. This is Soul Music re-born for a new generation.

Many of the previous reviews compare Hope Waits to Bonnie Raitt, Madeleine Peyroux, Susan Tedeschi, et al; and I'll add relative unknowns, Sonya Kitchell, Jennifer Kimball (previously with The Story), and even Dr. John! In my opinion all the comparisons are apt. The production of this album is fantastic...spare background, voice up front and personal. There you go then...it would be hard for anyone not to like this album. Hope Waits' self-titled album is a channeled montage of the previously mentioned singer/songwriters. Note to Hope: Could you push your superior talent just a tad further and create YOUR sound, so that when talented newbies come along in the future, they'll be compared to you? This is a wonderful album, but really, no new ground was plowed. Not to worry. I believe she will plow it up soon.

In this day in age, with so much new music out there, it's hard to find great new talent worth listening to. When i first put my copy of Hope Waits album in the CD play it stayed in there for three weeks. A couple months later I lent that copy of Hope's album to my friend and wouldn't you know it, he wouldn't give it back. It turns out that one of his friends borrowed that copy and... my friend had to buy a new one. This is a great album from Hope Waits and I do recommend that you share it with your friends, just plan on having to buy a new copy.

Hope Waits' debut is a strong set. Her voice is a smoky alto that oozes and croons to emotional effect. Not related to Tom Waits, confusion is warranted as she covers his "Get Behind the Mule" from his "Mule Variations" CD. Bob Dylan recorded "Ring Them Bells" on his "Oh Mercy" album. It's been frequently recorded with versions in my collection by Joan Baez on Ring Them Bells and Joe Cocker on Hymn for My Soul. Waits' version slows the tempo and dives into the lyric. Otis Redding sang "Cigarettes & Coffee." Waits' version sighs & smokes. The opening track "I'll Be Satisfied" that Jackie Wilson sang registers as an old timey soulful crooner. On "Fortune Teller," Waits brings to mind Louise Taylor's excellent Written in Red, "I'm walking the streets of New Orleans, looking to get my fortune told; I passed a lady who seems to be crazy, she said, 'Baby, your eyes are much too old'." Peter Malick who worked with Norah Jones on New York City does a great job producing, letting each track find its own expression such as on the peppy "Mother-In-Law Blues." Her take on the Ray Charles' classic "Drown in My Own Tears" shines. "You Crossed the Line" may be my very favorite with its delicious build to a smashing crescendo. The cover art by Deana G. Conn makes one stop and look twice at the disc. This is a strong outing from a young singer who has studied her musical history. Enjoy!

Excellent first CD, sounds like a cross between Norah Jones/Maira Muldaur and Diana Krall, moreso then Bonnie Raitt, in my opinion anyway. Someone gave me this CD and said it was Tom Waits daughter. No it isn't, as stated on the other reviews listed here. Non the less, she does cover Get Behind The Mule, and does an awesome job. Great Jazzy Bluesy album. I really "Hope" I don't "Waits" too long for her next album. OK, sorry, that was dumb..

Bought this as a gift (following Amazon's recommendations based on my previous purchases) and got me one as well because I was too curious about this album. I'm no music expert, but I love music and hear music all the time. So it was a rather nice surprise to find such mature & deep lyrics/sounds in a new artist. The depth of her voice is something we don't hear too often playing on the radio nowadays. It's like that old saying: "some people got it...and some people don't." I believe she does.