Raven (Hybr) [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Rebecca Pidgeon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Chesky Records
• ASIN: B000OCXMF4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,285 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The return of THE voice., July 26, 1999

By 

Daisy Ghostly (Odense, Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raven (Audio CD)

Four long years had to pass, before THE most pleasant voice would curl its way into my ears again, and spellbind me once more. The sound of ex-folk/rock-group "Ruby Blue" lead-singer Rebecca Pidgeon left an impression on me nine years ago, and the many different characteristics are still there. Through-out this album. -This is one high-quality song-writer. Check out "Her Man Leaves Town", "The Height Of Land" or the title-track, previously recorded by "Ruby Blue". The folky stuff, like this album, is where Pidgeon is the most at home, I think. I really wouldn't mind if she'd only make records like this one, but variety is a good thing, so I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever she decides to do in the future.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She Could Have Had Nora Jones' Career, February 8, 2004

By 

Gavin B. (St. Louis MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raven (Audio CD)

Few people realize that the actress Rebecca Pidgeon had been quietly persuing a sucessful singing career prior to her noteriety as an actress. Though she was born in the Boston area, Pidgeon grew up in Scotland and studied acting at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, which has trained some of the finest classical British stage actors. "The Raven" is Ms. Pidgeon's first and finest solo effort, was recorded in 1994, a few years after she appeared in the Broadway production of hard edged playwright David Mamet's "The Old Neighborhood." She married Mamet and became the frequent leading lady in Mamet's excellent ensemble driven films. Prior to the "The Old Neighborhood", she sang in the group, Ruby Blue. She married Mamet and put her singing career on the back burner.

Had it not been for involvement with Mamet, Pidgeon could probably have had Nora Jones' career, because she was performing the same kind of ecclectic mix of jazz, folk and popular standards that has become Nora Jones' signature. Rebecca Pidgeon's vocals have the same grace, verve and well nuanced phrasing as the ubiquitous Ms. Jones. A single listen to her rendition of "Spanish Harlem" will convince even the most skeptical, that Pidgeon has all the makings of a great vocal stylist. The most intriguing part of her vocals is her ability to take her deeply rooted Celtic influences and blend them with the best elements of old school jazz to create her own highly stylized musical signature. The production quality is crystal clear and the arrangements are kept engagingly sparse, so Ms. Pidgeon's enticing voice isn't upstaged by a lot of superfluous overblown arrangements. If you are a fan of Nora Jones or Eva Cassidy, then Rebecca Pidgeon should be on your required music purchase list.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great from the first listen, December 25, 2001

By 

E. Larson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raven (Hybr) (Audio CD)

One curse of an audiophile is often music purchases are made on a single track or the sonic worth of a particular mastering. As a consequence, I have a stack of CD's that are not that musical.

This SACD is recorded with the warmth, detail, depth and spatiousness one would expect from the Chesky label. The wonderful surprise is Rebecca's crystalline voice floating in the phantom center channel with a blend of celtic folk music that truly appeals to me.

The open and natural rendition of Spanish Harlem is simply stunning, and I am sure has been used at many hi-end audio shops to sell gear. The double bass is tight, the piano and guitar are not smeared, and the shaker is 7-10 feet back from center stage. Kaleaka, You Got Me and remember me are three songs that are truly enjoyable to listen to simply for the melody and the lyrics.

Normally I click through a CD quickly to find songs that are immediately interesting. I found that I listened to the entire disk, skipping to the end of only two songs. Following this, I put the player on repeat for several hours.

I realize i am a little late discovering her, and many probably know her more for her films, but she has made an instant fan. I am afraid I cannot compare this to the CD version, as I only bought the SACD.

Definitely a worthy addition to any collection.