Search - Rebecca Pidgeon :: Tough on Crime

When she is good, she is very, very good

medievalcrusadesbabe | Ohio USA | 11/15/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Rebecca Pidgeon is not a newcomer to the public eye. She has appeared in the movie "Heist" and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. But she has been singing since she was a teen, and has releases previous to this CD.



But this is her first new work in six years, and while her previous releases may be illusive, this one highlights her light yet attention grabbing vocals and her ability to write songs that fall into a mix of jazz or folk.



The CD packaging itself presents photos of the artist, with "hand written" track titles, production credits and lyrics. While being artistic, they were a bit difficult to read, and I resorted to the press package.



But it's the material inside on the disk that grabbed my attention. Her vocals are serene, subtle, like floating silk. Most of her tracks on this CD fall into the "jazz" genre and were for the most part impressive like a club singer that stands before the mike wearing a dress that sparkles like her voice. Harmonies are classic in style and only add to the wonderful presentation of the pieces.



There is a mix in of folk styled rhythms with soft and sultry jazz pieces. Both genre seem to mix for the most part, with a few exceptions. You get an impression of a softer "Cheryl Crow" in the title track "Tough on Crime" while presented with the "sexy night club singer" in "Tangerine". "Ordinary Blues" takes on a very definite "Steely Dan" feel but with more subtlety. The addition of Billy Preston on keys and Walter Becker probably adds to that feel in these tracks.



The production values by Larry Klein are smooth, professional and tight! The music is expertly woven to enhance Ms. Pidgeon's softer vocals and bring out the best in her music. "Candid Lady" is an outstanding example of good production and excellent mixing to bring out the vocal work, as is "Tangerine".



The lyrics are intriguing, sometimes resourceful in their content. She phrases them well, and they are understandable as she sings them. Topics range from "gambling ladies" to a lady of the evening in a "Tangerine" dress, to cops to sensational magazines. They all seem to have a common theme, that being some kind of association with crime.



Not every track is a winner. "Learn to Pray", the opening track, seemed lackluster in comparison to some of the other tracks, having a "folksy" feel to it. While I liked "Nasty Guy" it came off a bit soft where it could have taken some hard, strong vocals. The horn made up for some of it, but the lyrical content seemed to call for an "angry woman" type of vocalization.



"Magazine" discusses people types in the headline news, and has a catchy line in the lyrics. Nice melody as well, very likable composition. "Cigarette" again returns the "Steeley Dan" feel with a mystery criminal smoker as the theme.



"The Romance of Everyday Life" has a very jazzy appeal, old fashioned story of love at first sight and the catching of the same. The closing track "Come Back to Sorrento" is upbeat and slightly jazzy, recalling a time of love remembered.



There is a bonus track "Army Brat" which is most definitely folk/country in feel, some interesting lyrics about being an "Army Brat" with a catchy tune, but seemed out of place here.



Rebecca Pidgeon has some interesting music and vocals on this CD. I found the tracks I liked I really liked, but there were a couple of tracks that were uninspiring or not in tune with the rest of the feel of the CD. There is a definite feel of "Steely Dan" to the production of the music, but the lyrics and vocals are all Ms. Pidgeon's. Her voice works well with the sultry pieces but some of her compositions seemed to be calling for something a bit stronger.



I liked her style, her compositions overall were well developed and her lyrics are noteworthy, keeping with the theme of the CD and even having some memorable lines. This is a nice introduction to Ms. Pidgeon I look forward to this developing into future presentations. maf"

Tough on Crime

S. stasser | az | 04/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Awesome! This CD gets better the more you listen to it. Sultry, sexy, and upbeat at the same time. Want to play it over and over again"

The Girl Can Write!

Craig C. Roberts | The Mountains of Pennsylvania | 06/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with my fellow reviewer - the CD gets better and better the more I listen to it. RP has a way about her - something really special that resonates in her music. I was fortunate to catch her at Joe's Pub in NYC recently. The music just flows out her. Her lyrics are crafty, smart, and crisp. Her melodies and rhythms are smooth and easy and make you want to sway like palms branches in a breeze. This is a great CD! Enjoy."