Piece By Piece

Katie Melua | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B000FBHCQ4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,575 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Piece by Piece--the second album from Georgia-born-chanteuse-cum-naturalised-Brit Katie Melua, and the successor to her multimillion-selling Call Off the Search--begins teasingly with the soft-pedaled "come hither" jazz flirtations of "Shy Boy" and concludes with the whispering philosophical torch-song resignation of "I Do Believe in Love." The two songs represent opposite ends of the emotional spectrum--sultry and kittenish on the one hand, solitary and ruminative on the other--but they also offer clues that the cutesy, crazy, easy listening Melua of Mike Batt's mentorship may be gradually acceding to the full bloom of self-determined musical adulthood. Melua's songs are often the more fretful and organic--the ghostly title track and the lovely "I Cried for You" are especially recommended, while the bluesier numbers (particularly the cover of the classic "Blues in the Night") seem shoehorned in gratuitously to match an anticipated demographic. Batt's contributions are melodic, memorably buoyant, and childlike. The Chinese-flavored "Nine Million Bicycles" and the naggingly catchy "Halfway up the Hindu Kush" are both charming despite their naïve pseudo-ethnicity and currently offer, particularly when compared to something as ponderously wooly as "Spider's Web," a necessary fun counterbalance to Melua's burgeoning compositional skills. At this stage, Piece by Piece fits together nicely like a little jigsaw puzzle. And even if it didn't, Melua would still sound simply ambrosial singing from a washing machine repair manual. --Kevin Maidment

Product Description

Piece By Piece, the second album by Katie Melua, comes nearly two years after the release of her multiplatinum-selling debut album Call Off The Search, and contains a larger percentage of self-penned songs than the previous album which demonstrate the significant development of Katie as a singer and writer. Features 12 total tracks including the first single, 'Nine Million Bicycles' and her cover of the Cure's 'Just Like Heaven' which was also featured on the US Soundtrack of the same name. ''Although people talk about the 'difficult second album', we have enjoyed the pressure and the pleasure of trying to get this album right for ourselves initially, rather than specifically worrying about what the audience will think'' said Katie. Dramatico. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nine million little bicycles, June 6, 2006

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Piece By Piece (Audio CD)

Fans of bluesy jazz-pop crooners Norah Jones and Joss Stone need to sit up and take notice of Katie Melua. Following up on the success of “Call off the Search” (2003), her much anticipated second album doesn’t disappoint, and the twelve gorgeous tracks are guaranteed to mellow you to perfection.

Released since September 2005 in Europe, the Brits have a nine month jump on the USA, but finally this baby has arrived stateside amidst much rejoicing and celebration. Originally from Georgia (the former USSR, not the peachy place) and now settled in the UK, Katie’s sultry voice curls around your speakers and nestles comfortably against your eardrums, and even though I’m no fan of either jazz or blues, I thoroughly enjoyed this album from the first listen.

First single “Nine Million Bicycles” is an excitingly different and unforgettable track that starts with a simple truth: “There are nine million bicycles in Beijing / That's a fact / It's a thing we can't deny / Like the fact that I will love you till I die.” The music is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly matched by Katie’s clean, clear vocals.

Although every track is a winner, there are those that cry out for more attention, namely “Just Like Heaven” from the movie soundtrack of the same name; the social commentary of “Spider’s Web”; bouncy opener “Shy Guy” and the passionately performed title track; but let’s not forget the cover of the Canned Heat 1960’s hit “On the Road Again” and the catchy “Halfway Up the Hindu Kush”. “Thank You, Stars” is another perfect song, and to be honest, I should be recommending every song on this album.

“Piece by Piece” is highly recommended for fans of blues, jazz, pop and intelligent yet romantic music, and that’s no exaggeration.


Amanda Richards, June 6, 2006

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous stuff, June 7, 2006

By 

scott89119 "scott89119" (Whittier, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piece By Piece (Audio CD)

Her voice is pitch-perfect; a little Eva Cassidy, a little Alison Krauss. The whole album is beautiful over and over again.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I will love you till I die, July 16, 2006

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Piece By Piece (Audio CD)

"If you only knew
you could make your dreams come true"

Eternal love, haunting flute, guitar, piano, sweet sexy lyrics and everything you could wish for in a romantic dream of a collection of songs. Katie Melua's crystalline voice is like the comfort of cold milk from a cold glass after taking a bite of a rich chocolate brownie. Her voice is smooth, dreamy and satisfying.

Nine Million Bicycles has modern and nostalgic notes woven into a sweet fantasy of a song. When she isn't dreaming about enticing shy boys, she is poetic in her social commentary and delves into provocative concepts we face daily, but often fail to address.

I love the hopeless romantic concepts in "Piece by Piece," which is so true about trying to forget someone you love. Katie Melua isn't shy about getting downright sexy in some songs and her honesty is intriguing.

Most of the songs seem to embody a sweet country/folk mood with modern appeal. At times she seems to transcend the limitations of descriptions like adult alternative. She ranges from classical to country (On the Road Again) to jazz (Blue Shoes). She seems as comfortable alone with a guitar (Thank You, Stars) or on a stage with an orchestra. At times you can imagine she has walked out of an old movie and is singing a romantic ballad captured in a moment in time. "I Cried for You" has elements of ecstasy in a story of sadness. The entire album is exquisite with romantic appeal.

"You're the one I love most of all..."

~The Rebecca Review