Customer Reviews

Madrugada

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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"Madrugada," released in 1974, was Melanie's follow-up release to the double-album "Live at Carnegie Hall." The more sophisticated a recording artist Melanie became, the less successful her recordings were in commercial terms. What a pity!! Melanie is an underrated artist and songwriter with an incredibly devoted fan base. This album showcases Melanie as an excellent songwriter and interpreter of songs from top writers such as Randy Newman, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, Woody Guthrie, and Jim Croce. Expertly produced by Melanie's husband Peter Schekeryk; engineered by Brooks Arthur with assistance from Larry Alexander.

Program (songs not credited are by Melanie):

"Love To Lose Again"
"Lover's Cross" (Jim Croce)
"Pretty Boy Floyd" (Woody Guthrie)
"Wild Horses" (Mick Jagger - Keith Richards)
"I Think It's Going To Rain Today" (Randy Newman)
"Maybe Not For a Lifetime"
"Holding Out"
"I Am Being Guided"
"The Actress"
"Pine & Feather"

Note: The UK release also included "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" (Carole King - Gerry Goffin).

This is a very good recorded effort by Melanie. It's not great, for the simple reason is that there are too many covers and leftovers from previous albums. The first two songs on the album are excellent, especially her cover of Jim Croce's song " Lover's Cross" - her voice never sounded better- the ending is a bit too long - but, that's a minor flaw. " Pretty Boy Floyd" is overproduced, to the point of absurdity. "Wild Horses" is quite interesting. Melanie has certainly stamped her own imprint on this song. It's quiet and it's furious. A great achievement. Once again, the ending of the song drags on too long. The 2nd side it by far more interesting, her own compositions are the standouts " The Actress", " Holding Out" and " Maybe Not For A Lifetime". Melanie has an incredible gift for words. " Pine and Feather" and " I Am Being Guided" are throw aways. Her cover of " I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" is raw and emotive - it has just the right dose of pathos. A very good album by Melanie. It was a commerical failure, not because it lacked talent. It failed because of " Brand New Key" - I think the more mature listeners were turned off by "Brand New Key" and refused to give her another listen and the "bubblegum" group wanted another " Brand New Key" which never happened and that's a shame.

"Madrugada" had been one of my obsessions (along with Mary Traver' "Mary" for more than twenty years. I searched for it everywhere every time I went abroad (I live in Portugal). It came to me on July 18, 2005. I still don't understand how it was possible, since the CD seems to have completely vanished. I told the story in my blog, you can read at [...]. Sorry, it's in Portuguese, and I know how stupid automatic translations are.

I still have my vinyl album and I love it.Madrugada I would love to have it on CD. I don't understand why it is so hard to find Melanie music. She was great and still is!