Born To Be – MELANIE****

In The Hour/I’m Back In Town/Bobo’s Party/Mr Tambourine Man/Momma Momma/I Really Loved Harold/Animal Crackers/Christopher Robin (Is Saying his Prayers)/Close To It All/Merry Christmas

Born To Be was the debut album from the New York pop-folk singersongwriter Melanie. An eclectic mix of styles it includes Bobo’s Party a big hit on the European continent.

“Melanie’s debut, is an intriguing curate's egg, unsure exactly where her strengths lie, so she is cast in a number of roles: Piaf-imitating chanteuse (In The Hour), soul searching, angst-heavy troubadour (Momma Momma), giggling novelty figure (Animal Crackers) and children's entertainer (Christopher Robin). Stranger still, half the time the experiment works; the small ensemble, led by her own enthusiastic (if thoroughly inexpert) guitar playing creates an arty, coffeehouse ambience in which Melanie's idiot-savant act flourishes.”

“She wrote some of the greatest ballads of the late 60s. In the Hour is a very beautiful song, including some sad accordion in the background. In I Really Loved Harold Melanie sings another sad song only backed by her guitar and discreet woodwinds, like oboe and bassoon, sometimes to time. That's such a wonderful memorable melody.”

“From I Really Loved Harold to Bobo's Party to In The Hour, Melanie writes from a place of irony and despair, but as one who continues to pick herself up regardless. Vocally, she has the emotion of Edith Piaf, but is not nearly so annoying. Her version of Mr. Tambourine Man wipes any other version you've heard out of your head; and her throw-away cuts, Animal Crackers and Christopher Robin are somehow given meaning in context with the rest of these songs.”

“I was struck by how fresh and challenging the performances are. Born To Be is really an inspired debut album. Those unfamiliar with Melanie's work except for her hits are in for a real surprise with this album. Most of the arrangements are orchestral, and her youthful sounding voice paints a stark contrast to the complexity of her songwriting.”

“On Born To Be her voice had not yet developed into the fine instrument it would become. The songwriting is emotional and simplistic, but she was quite young when she wrote these songs, so they do reflect her youth.”