The name of the album is An Invitation by Inara George and Van Dyke Parks. Your pupils should have already dilated and blood pressure should have already risen. In case they didn't, here is why they should:
I'm going to start with the smaller name, but she is nowhere close to a small name. Inara George studied theater in Boston; she in no way desired to be a musician. After joining a band with high school friends and their surprisingly landing a record deal during one fateful summer, she was a musician from there on out. She did some solo work, but eventually formed The Bird and the Bee for which she is most known. She has incredible control of her voice, lacking vibrato but still captivating and solidly on pitch. At the same time, it has a hint of charm because of its soft complexion. It is second to none.
Van Dyke Parks is an American actor, arranger, producer, and musician who has reached legendary status... and it's not posthumous. He has done everything in the music business that is possible. Well, that's probably not true, but he has worked with Grace Kelly, U2, Sheryl Crow, Randy Newman, The Beach Boys (Parks wrote the lyrics on The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson's Smile), Ringo Starr, Lou and Rufus Wainwright, Ry Cooder, and Joanna Newsom. He needs no introduction. He just is.
These two greats work flawlessly together on An Invitation. The album's highlight is a string heavy 28-piece orchestra that wonderfully compliments George's voice. George is in her element on this album. It highlights both her theatrical and musical abilities. Her lyrics sound more like a narrative, but they also establish intricate and technical melodies. On the other end, Parks nailed the arrangements, which is not surprising. He wrote the strings to briskly flow and to abruptly cut to match the similarly-stylistic singing for which George is notorious. After listening, I realized I have never heard something like this before. It plays like something out of musical theater (but not totally), and it creates both an auditory and imaginative experience. It is easy to visualize George on stage with elaborate backdrops while a pit supports her. Every song is a new backdrop and they fit perfectly together as a compilation.
Buy this album. I first encountered it while browsing a FNAC in Paris in 2009. I stumbled upon the Parks section and saw a cover that I had never seen before, so I bought it. I have never regretted the purchase since. I give it a 4.8/5. Favorite songs: Right as Wrong, Accidental, Tell Me That You Love Me, and Rough Design.
Also, I can't figure out why the RSS feed posts to Twitter and Facebook twice throughout the day. Bare with me on this one.
Best, Jonathan
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