Customer Reviews

Swan Feathers

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Leslie Mendelson's album "Swan Feathers" is pleasant listening. There are several reviews that accurately compare her sound to Carol King, Norah Jones, and [even] Linda Ronstadt. Som eof the comparisons are justified; however, I was not struck by this artists being unique - like I was when first listening to Norah Jones. There are several very good songs on this album. Rest of London is a personal favorite of mine. This is one of those albums that go down smooth. I found myself playing the CD many times at work one day. It has a classic feel and heralds a talented new artist. I rate this as a solid 3.5 stars. It is close to four stars, as Mendelson's voice is very smooth and pleasant, but the songs are not really distinguishable from one another. Very good, just not great.... yet.

This is the type of music I like to have playing in the car when I'm driving by myself, cooking in the kitchen or soaking in the a bath tub. But it's really great to listen to anytime.

Although when I first played this CD I was almost certain that I had listened to Leslie Mendelson before, I finally decided I hadn't. It think it was this familiarity that really drew me into her music. She has a very relaxing, comforting voice and her songs are more carefree than serious. I did recognize her cover of "Be My Baby" from The Ronettes and liked the slowed down version.

If you are on the fence about purchasing this I suggest listening to the clips provided of "Easy Love", "I Know You Better Than That" and "So Far So Bad". If these interest you, then I would definitely recommend picking up the entire album.

There's a lot to like with Leslie Mendelson's new album. She has a great voice, fun songs, and an easy style. Highlights include "I Know You Better Than That," "Rest of London," and "Hit the Spot."

Unfortunately, there's nothing that really stands out. The songs are good, the lyrics are alternately sweet, loving, and innocent, and her voice is always pleasing and sensual. When the album's done, however, nothing sticks with me for very long. She's a pleasant surprise when her songs rotate through on "shuffle" amongst everything else in my collection, but I don't find myself saying, "I HAVE to hear that song again!"

If you're after good, pleasant pop/rock, this is a good album, but it's hard to imagine this one rising to the top of my collection very often.

This is a sublime CD - there is not a bad tune on it. Carol King, Norah Jones, Linda Ronstadt quality pop tunes. Yet unique and special in its own right. The cover photo is an accurate clue to what's in store for you here. You will close your eyes and delight in the melodies and hooks. There's a little here for everyone, from introspective to upbeat and zippy. Everyone came to play, the producer, the artist, and her band. This is a strong, very professional product and I very much look forward to exploring more of Leslie Mendelson's work.

Highly recommended!

This debut from Ms. Mendelson was quite pleasant to listen to. At times she was reminiscent of Norah Jones. On other bouncy songs she reminded me of Carole King. This would be a great dinner party cd when the mood calls for quiet music or when one simply wants to relax a little bit and listen to some pleasant music instead of most of the jarring stuff that is out today. Ms. Mendelson has a voice that sounds older and wiser than her tender years. I wish I could give the cd five stars, but it is a bit spotty in places. However, I absolutely loved her version of "Be My Baby".
I think this cd is indictive of better things to follow. An excellent debut effort.

Debuts always beckon comparisons to other artists, you just can't help that. In this case, comparisons come quite easy as Leslie's music wears its influences on its sleeve. Carol King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon all come to mind with maybe a touch of Colbie Caillat and Norah Jones thrown in for good measure. However, where Joni Mitchell crafted songs that could sound lighter than air, her lyrics carried poignant messages. This depth is what is missing on Ms. Mendelson's release. It's definitely a well crafted release but serves best as background music as it is sometimes so light and airy that it doesn't really command your attention. A great CD for a dinner party or for playing when mom comes over to visit. One track that does stand out is Leslie's sweet interpretation of The Ronettes' "Be My Baby." Definitely worth a listen.

Leslie Mendelson has all the right things to be a favorite of mine. She is a girl vocalist, (I am sorry, but that's what I like), she sounds a bit like MInnie Driver, whom I like very much, she does the singer~songwriter thing, and she does it pretty well.

AS a matter of fact to me the album reminded me a lot of Driver's Everything I've Got in My Pocket, which is also quite good. Nice original stuff and a great cover. IN this case it's Ronnie Spectors Be My LIttle Baby. It's a good CD, where it falls short for me is it lacks a full band sound, (it reminded me of early American Idol contestant CDs) I'm sure I'm making more of an issue than I should about it, but it lacks some of the fullness of sound that can be found in other UK solo artist around right now.

I am glad to have picked up Leslie Mendelson's "Swan Feathers" for me it is a solid 3 1/2 * effort. However, I shared this CD with three friends (a diverse group)all of them gave it a solid 5* review. So I'll average it out at 4 1/4 *.

If you are a singer~songwriter king of guy like me you should like this pretty well, if you don't just love it like my friends.

Simply put, Leslie Mendelson's debut Rykodisc release Swan Feathers became a personal 2009 favorite from the first playing. It's one of those albums that one can listen to time and again.

Some have compared her with Norah Jones, and that would be a fair description, especially in such albums as personal favorites Come Away with Me and Not Too Late. But Leslie Mendelson isn't copying the style of others; she an original, with evocative and nicely structured melodies and intelligent, honest lyrics. Regina Spektor has that same quality in Far, her newest release, and if you like the originality of Ms. Spektor, then you'll probably appreciate Leslie Mendelson's new album.

There are eleven tracks, and when one first listens to the album in track order, one feels that a story is forming, showing that this was carefully and well produced by people who knew what they were doing. This sound and feeling continues through to the last cut, which is appropriately named.

Personal favorites start to form by the time that you hear this album for the second and third time. Those would have to include the opening track 'I Know You Better Than That' and 'Goodnight,' the sweet final to this album. But sandwiched in between are 'I See Myself With You,' 'Hit the Spot,' 'Turn It Over' and 'No Easy Way Out'... all beautiful cuts that showcase her wonderful voice, blending well with the clear jazz and R&B sound of her accomplished band backing her up. In fact, every track shines, which is a rarity.

This is an excellent album, and one that is reminiscent of the quality and clarity that seems to be missing in many pop albums today. Curious as to how it was produced and who was behind the effort, I did some online research and found this:

"Unless I've lost my bearings this is one of the tastiest pop albums of recent memory," says Jac Holzman, founder of the iconic Electra and Nonesuch Labels. "And I say 'pop' in the Carole King sense. Great melodies with wondrous curves that take you places. No album of this genre has touched me so deeply. Most important, the songs stick to you like swan feathers caught on rubber cement."

There's no way that I could put it any better than that. Leslie Mendelson is one of those artists who this reviewer will be following to see what she does next. Her Rykodisc debut release of Swan Feathers truly "Hit the Spot"... a 5-star album.

Ms. Mendelson has a problem. Actually she has a few, and reveals all in her songwriting. The main problem is that it will take a miracle to get noticed. A perfect example of so much talent stuck in an era of a musical marketing nightmares. By experiencing Swan Feathers, I'm pretty sure she is ok not being Madonna, and I would imagine that she not only loves a cabaret setting, but she sells out the intimate venues with repeat audiences. With this style of music, all it takes is that one song to connect with, and you are hooked into a cult following. I bet her shows are amazing.

The album is quite raw vocally and emotionally. I refuse to compare her sound to other artists. I think that method of explaining a singer via another voice is wrong. In other words, Leslie Mendelson sounds like Leslie Mendelson. Her voice is as welcome to a Sunday morning as a trek to the bakery in pajamas to get the muffins while they're hot, and back home in time for the coffee done brewing. Yeah. Like that.

Each effort flows together nicely. Load her into a playlist mix of acoustic rock for the day, and people will be sure to ask "who's that"? That's the way it should be. It is her songwriting that stands out above the rest. She does throw in a cover of "Be My Baby", but there is no mimic of Ronnie Spector to be found. Just a tribute.

Rykodisc has been around for about 25 years, and the label is a great source for not only new independent artists, but reissues and revivals of forgotten greats. Some of my favorite acts are on Rykodisc as they have quite a cult history of great music from the 80s. But, of course, have come so far since. I am happy to see this new name added to their unique roster of talent.

OK, when you first listen to this you're going to be distracted by the obvious influenced. Carole King, Laura Nyro, Rickie Lee Jones,, Nicky Holland, maybe Joni Mitchell. Never mind. Grab a glass of white wine, kick back, and let the music wash over you.

OK, let's get critical. She's best on the mid-tempo numbers, like "I See Myself With You"; a couple of the slower pieces ("Rest of London", for example) drag a bit. But that's a nit.