Miracle of Five

Eleni Mandell

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 7, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zedtone
• ASIN: B000JRYO8S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,229 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
With the conversational intimacy of her phrasing and the torchy romanticism of her most seductive material, Eleni Mandell sounds more than ever like a period piece throwback here. The title track, the opening "Moonglow, Lamp Low," and the closing after-hours-piano-lounge "Miss Me" evoke the sophisticated heyday of Cole Porter and the Gershwins, with saxophonist Jeff Turmes playing Lester Young to Mandell's Billie Holiday. She also displays a penchant for waltzes and lyrical anachronisms (does anybody really speak of "motor cars" these days?). Yet "Girls" and "Make-Out King" sound girlishly coquettish in comparison with such cosmopolitanism, "Salt Truck" seems sing-song and nursery-rhyme slight, and "Dear Friend" suffers from an increasingly busy arrangement. "My Twin," "Wings in His Eyes," and "Perfect Stranger" reflect Mandell's continued growth as a writer, but the album as a whole, despite generally strong production by Andy Kaulkin, suggests that she most needs an editor who can help this eclectic artist focus on what she does best. --Don McLeese

Product Description
On her sixth album, Eleni Mandell delivers a magnificent, late night, lights-low set -- her sexiest recording yet. Her conversational alto is set beautifully against the reeds (Jeff Turmes, who has backed James Harman and Badly Drawn Boy), guitar (Nels Cline of Wilco), vibes (DJ Bonebrake of X) and her longtime rhythm section of drummer Kevin Fitzgerald and bassist Ryan Feves. Produced by Andy Kaulkin and mixed by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith), the album is a sonic marvel. Her captivating songwriting has taken an optimistic turn, concentrating on love found instead of love lost. Already a local hero -- Los Angeles Magazine named Eleni best local singer and the LA Weekly anointed her as best songwriter -- Miracle of Five will open the world to this timeless chanteuse.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just can't conceive of anyone NOT love, love, LOVING this album, May 4, 2007

By	Sarah Dixie Laite (NEW YORK, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Loook, I take this reviewing thing seriously. Someone may choose to part with their hard-earned money based on something I might write, so I say to you -- fully cognizant of the my responsibility to you, undecided consumer -- that this is a fantsatic album and your life will be greatly enriched by purchasing it, downloading it, or borrowing your neighbor's copy forthwith.

The album is very reminsiscent of a music box -- amuisc box for women in a noir story. A music box for babes in a contemporary wood. Basically, these are lullabies for grown-ups. Wistful, insightful, haunting, and so eerily *true*. "Beautiful" is one of the real-est songs I've ever heard.

Eleni Mandell is a genius, a genius swimming in the sweet syrup of the warm and gooey sauce of awesomeness. OK, let me state at the outset that I am a big fan. I love ALL her previous albums, but Miracle of Five is now my favorite. I've always been awed by Ms. Mandell's way of mixing sharp insights with soft, visceral imagery. Her lyrics and singing are always so incredibly evocative. She also has an uncanny way of articulating and illuminating things I've thought and felt. Her music is full of wonderful melodies and hooks and resonance. Her lyrics are incredible. Her voice is nimble and expressive and sultry and smart and sassy.

"Moonglow, Lamp Low" feels like my soul's theme song. "Girls" makes me think Eleni has read my mind (again). "WIngs in His Eyes"a nd the title track perfectly express how I feel about my new sweetheart. And "Perfect Stranger" -- been there. I could go on and on.

Suffice it to say this is a great album with great songs and atmospheric music that perfectly fits her lyrics and voice. Trust me; get it. Seriously. You'll love it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music for the Soul, June 2, 2007

By	Maureen Moore (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Miracle of Five is Eleni Mandell's new album.

If you like a bluesy, sultry, country, exotic voice that is remuniscent of the sixties, with an original slant- this is the album for you.

Waited six weeks to get it locally, gave up, recieved it at my door in four days from Amazon at the same price. Am I happy? You bet.
Maureen Moore

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top CombinationT, July 14, 2007

By	Thomas E. Davis (Bainbridge Island, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD combines charming lyrics with the relaxed, sensitive singing style of Eleni Mandell and an accompaniment skillfully woven in by an outstanding group of musicians. Each song is an individual treat.