Greatest, The - Cat Power

Advantages: Chan Marshall herself, the lyrical touches and musical flourishes
Disadvantages: Where Is My Love, a dull song that shouldn't be on here

Amy Winehouse has soul, I don't think anyone can doubt that. Nobody has done more to cultivate the reinvigoration of Motown than the London lassie, yet when it comes to showing real heart and soul, your first musical stop should be Cat Power. Chan Marshall (for that is her real name) may not have the brass that Winehouse does, but when it comes to the blues, there is barely a singer around who can come close to her. Over the past few years Marshall ...
...album she suffered a breakdown because of the stress of the drink. She took a break, and then came back to promote the album, sober and seemingly a different woman. Now it's always been that vice and music have gone together well, especially when the blues are concerned, but Marshall's output had been somewhat patchy even before the drink began to take it's toll, and the odds were on this new album turning out to be nothing less than a complete shambles. ... Read review

Advantages: Chilled out, Soulful and packed with melody
Disadvantages: nothing bad about this cat

...Few artists these days can genuinely be called an Enigma - it's usually just clever marketing. When you venture across Cat Power though, there is simply no other word to describe her. First of all, Cat Power is not her real name, it is in fact Chan Marshall and her latest album "The Greatest" is not a greatest hits album. Her live performances too have a variable nature depending on her mood. Cat Power as an artist has drifted into peoples consciousness and might just as easily evapourate out, but let's not take forgranted here and now that "The Greatest" is a genuine masterpeice of an album. With a barrel-aged voice smoked over influences of dylan, lou reed and good old-fashioned folk songs , Cat Power breathes experiences of love life and being down&out , over you like the sweet bourbon vapour in a half-lit saloon. Listen... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A voice you will never forget! Superb songs
Disadvantages: Sometimes too dark

...Cat Power, the other name of Chan Marshall, is one of those female singers that conquer you just by their voice, by the way they whisper or yell… "The Greatest", her latest album (it's not a greatest hits album!), is one of the most amazing records that came up from the American independent music circuit in the last couple of years. Whether she is playing the piano, or the guitar, she's always the one in charge, and her presence you can feel in your skin even through the cd record. In a club atmosphere, "The Greatest" is a record that will make you travel until the places described, through the whistles, and the perfect mixtures of sax, trumpet, violin and cello, always supporting, Chan's amazing voice. In fact, the album was recorded in Memphis, where The Memphys Rhythm Band, joined her with their vigorous horns and the strength... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Her style of singing, as usual!
Disadvantages: Old songs covered.

..."Jukebox" is Cat Power's second chapter on covering other people songs. The first covers album was recorded in 2000, and it represented an amazing step forward in her career. But for those who know that first covers album, I have a warning, don't you expect from this one, a similar exercise. Then, Cat Power almost made a solo album, with her hands always on the guitar or the piano, and her voice, as only companions. Barely no other instruments allowed. This time, and following the positive experience of her latest original album "The Greatest", Cat Power has an entire band (jazz/blues kind of thing) behind her, supporting the reconstruction of these old successful songs. More upbeat certainly, but nothing far off her usual pace. Her swiftness is all there, as well as her shredding moods. The universal hit "New York" opens... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful