Madeleine Peyroux - Careless Love - Universal 9823583

The second album from this French-Canadian former street performer is a treat. The pitch of her voice and her phrasing has more than an echo of Billie Holliday - which is more than fine by me. She gives a jazz-blues twist to things like Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go", Cohen's "Dance Me To The End of Love" and Hank Williams' "Weary Blues" - the three best tracks to my ear. Unlike the rash of women singers re-interpreting the standards (Diana Krall, Stacey Kent, Clare Teal, Jane Monheit etc) she has original material and re-interprets some contemporary material in an intriguing way. Mellow, but with an edge.