Customer Reviews

Spilt Milk

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Imagine the vocal beauty of Dusty Springfield combined with the power and energy of Janis Joplin and the the polish and sentiment of Norah Jones, and give that voice the core truth and integrity of Nina Simone and you'll almost have an idea of what Kristina Train sounds like. The singer songwriter is probably the most talented female vocalist recording today, but it doesn't stop there. With Spilt Milk, the newcomer on the national scene has also proven that she is a genius lyricist, composer, and arranger and it would be no surprise if she won a grammy this year; being nominated is a shoe-in. As if that weren't enough, Kristina is also an incredible violinist and fiddle player, and lately has taken up the additional responsibility of rhythm guitarist. Knowing that this is only her first album should clue music lovers in to the fact that as Kristina's career unfolds, music itself is destined to be changed for the better. Listening to the jazz-pop songs on this debut release, I was reminded of the first time I listened to Pheobe Snow's "Poetry Man" or the first time I heard Patsy Cline's rendition of "Amazing Grace"; each and every song on the album has that same rare power to send goosebumps up and down your body and bring tears to your eyes. Buying this album will be the best choice you make all year, and if she comes anywhere near your town, buy a ticket well in advance to avoid the sold-out blues; in addition to being a virtuoso musician, Kristina learned stage presence from the very best, the one and only Rosa King from Amsterdam, who she toured with back in 2000 while still a teenager when her career was first taking off! Having seen Kristina perform on many occasions and having played with her and Rosa in her first band and my own ongoing revue show known as "The Looters," I can personally attest to the fact that she gives all her heart and soul to each note sung or played....not to mention that her current backing band is also a group of top-notch world-class musicians!

If you haven't listened to Spilt Milk, do so immediately. If you've listened and weren't impressed, listen again. If you thought her just like Norah Jones, tell the truth...you weren't really listening were you? Background music while blogging doesn't count and we both know it. 30 second previews don't count either.

She's not Norah Jones. She's not Norah Jones with a little soul thrown in; She's Aretha with a touch of Norah.

Kristina Train is a lullaby and a locomotive.

Talent like this comes along once in a generation. Opportunities to follow a star from the start of her career are even fewer.

I purchased the CD after reading Al Kooper's list of the 50 best songs of 2009. At the top of the list is Kristina Train's Spilt Milk. Not the song. The entire CD.

Al Kooper's recommendation was all the motivation I needed.

My wife and I saw Ms. Train open for Chris Isaac last year and I was very impressed and even moved by her performance. Great songwriting and an amazing voice that reminded me of a cross between Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. She was accompanied only by an acoustic guitar player and the stripped down arrangements were perfect for her songs.

Blue Note did a huge disservice to this artist. The cd is over-produced, especially with the addition of string orchestration that overwhelms the raw power of her songs. In addition, as other reviewers have noted, this cd displays the worst aspects of modern mastering as it is loud and has absolutely no dynamics.

If you like this cd at all, I strongly recommend you go see Ms. Train live. You will then understand why I believe she is an underappreciated, major talent.

Kristina Train hails from the South (Savannah, Georgia, to be specific), a fact immediately apparent from the twang and the soulful wail in her voice. Her songs, with their haunting, unforgettable melodies and their blend of whispered longing and shouted anguish, bring to mind albums like "Dusty in Memphis" and "This Is... Shelby Lynne." Train's vocals are nestled in lush beds of strings, horns, and choral accompaniment provided by British producer Jimmy Hogarth and songwriter Eg White, who together have been responsible for such breakthrough singers as Adele and Duffy.

This CD is powerful, soothing stuff. I played it three times in a row the first time I put it on, something I very rarely do, but I knew I was listening to a truly special debut, and I wanted to savor it. I was mesmerized by her sound and the stories she was telling. A must-hear!

I have never written a review here. I just happened upon this girl while browsing the New Releases with 5 stars. I gave her a look-see and was astounded at her voice. I've now purchased the CD and am listening to it as I type this review. If any of you have ever listened to Eva Cassidy, then I would certainly compare her to Eva who is sadly gone, as well as Dusty Springfield; ode to you as well, Ms. Springfield. Wow....I am definitely a fan of this girl!

Kristina Train is the real deal and the release of Spilt Milk starts what will be a long and successful career of an enormously talented new recording artist. A few years back I first saw Kristina perform to overflowing audiences at the Savannah Music Festival. It was clear at that time that she had the potential to be the next great star of Blue Note records. The clarity and depth of her blues voice tied to her beauty and engaging personality make her the total package. My compliments to Blue Note for finding Kristina. Also thank you to everyone involved in producing this recording in London over the past two years. Most of all thanks to Kristina for the thousands of hours you have devoted to offer us this wonderful music.

I'm really disappointed in this CD. After hearing comparisons to Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles, I have to say... not exactly. I found this album very repetitive, with the same flow of every song - I believe all but one song break out into a ballad. I'm ok with it, but I found myself near the middle of each song saying "ok... here it comes". (I've even more disappointed that my previous negative review was deleted).

I've owned this CD for several months now, and I love it. The songs sound like standards. This is the type of music that will never sound dated.

I originally bought the CD because I'd heard that she was very much like Dusty Springfield and Shelby Lynne--both favorites of mine. This is true, but Train has her own unique, smoky style.

I'd love to see her live, and I eagerly await her next CD. She's a marvelous talent.

Train's voice is wonderful, reminiscent of Norah Jones, but some of the songs aren't first rate. For my taste at least, they are also way over-produced. If only I had the audio equipment and skills required to strip out everything but her voice, a piano, a bass line, and drums so she could really shine! Of course, if you like sizable brass and string ensembles, this recording will be right up your alley. I'll be interested to see what her next recording is like.

This is a great CD. Found out about her through an Amazon recommendation. Train has a smooth soulful voice. She is never shrill or forced. The music has good melodies and interesting, meaningful words. Just a pleasure to listen to her. Compare to Joss Stone, but Train is more universal in appeal and a more controlled performer. Splint Milk is the best cut, but they all are good., Watch the YouTube of her song if there are still no samples on Amazon. It will sell you on this great new talent.