The new album HALF THE PERFECT WORLD is to be released on September 12 in US.
Sung by a woman from a man’s point of view, "Blue Alert" (written by Leonard Cohen and Anjani Thomas) is psychologically complex and erotically charged. This intertwining of genders "adds a depth to the song that wouldn’t be there otherwise," Madeleine says.
I don't know how she does that, but when whe sings a song, it is all hers, no "imitation", but it keeps all the impact of the strong temper of Cohen, or Dylan, this or that songwriter, etc. She is great. Probably because she sings with her soul, as per her comment on Blue Alert depicted, she cares for the song as a whole, so whatever is strong in the songs is not lost.
I saw that she sings with k.d. lang on this new album, Martha Wainwright, now, her, Leonard Cohen fans are all around.
Elsewhere, Miss Peyroux has made a dangerous gambit in covering two songs released earlier this year by Leonard Cohen's paramour and creative partner, Anjani Thomas. One works; one doesn't.
Miss Peyroux jazzes up "Blue Alert," the title track on Miss Thomas' excellent album, turning it into a completely different song. Though Miss Thomas' take is injected throughout with sexuality, Miss Peyroux's elegant voice is more detached and isn't quite as good an accompaniment to the charged lyrics. She's much better on "Half the Perfect World," the Cohen-Thomas song that gives her album its title; her intimate voice is suited perfectly to the song.
