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(30 January 2007) Katie Melua's sophomoric 2006 release of Piece by Piece: Special Bonus Edition (Dramatico (UK) DRAMDVDCD002, 2006)
follows her successful 2003 chart topping debut album Call Off The Search. Her
jazz infused style which also blends blues and pop presents a laid back style and
beautiful, sultry tones. The twelve track CD includes three bonus tracks as well as
a DVD disc that has an eighty minute film shot during Katie's 2006 European Tour containing
concert footage and documentary style links. The DVD also has three promo films for
"Nine Million Bicycles," "I Cried For You" and "Spider's Web."
The sensual and bluesy "Shy Boy" sets the mood and overall tone of the album. Katie has
an evocative delivery of the lyrics and she creates an easy-going and relaxed aura. She
croons "Nine Million Bicycles" which was this album's first single and first top five
hit in the UK. Her song caused some controversy in Europe when the science writer
Simon Singh articulated that the lyrics demonstrated "a deep ignorance of cosmology
and no understanding of the scientific method." Barring that statement, Katie should
be allowed some artistic license with her interpretation of the lyrics and Singh's
comments were a bit harsh. The song has a hauntingly beautiful melody that is highlighted
with Katie's stunning vocalise. Her rendition was inspired by a visit to China as well
as the things she heard and had seen (such as nine million bicycles in Beijing) that
fascinated her.
The title track "Piece by Piece" was written after she broke up with her boyfriend Luke
Pritchard. This spellbinding piece has a more melancholy and mature flavor. Katie said,
"I'm very pleased with the album and I feel that people who bought Call Off The
Search will not be disappointed and that others will also discover something to like
in it." Katie (who wrote the chorus) and Mike Batt (who wrote the verses) co-wrote
"Halfway Up The Hindu Kush" as a joke using the suggestion implied in the title phrase
which originated from a discussion about scarves on a train journey.
The sexy cover "Blues in the Night" continues to reveal Katie's seductive and
alluring jazz-blues vocals. "Spider's Web" is a powerful, and almost progressive,
rocker complete with vast tempo and style changes. Penned by Melua herself, it shows
the singer's songwriting talent over the Batt- and cover-tunes performed on the debut
album. More blues fare appears with "Blue Shoes" which fascinates the listener with
her moody and succulent tones in the piano led ballad. Katie's rendition of Canned
Heat's 1960's hit "On the Road Again" and "Thankyou Stars" are wonderful additions
to her repertoire.
She continues to show her sensitivity with The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" with its
romantic overtones. The lovely and tender "I Cried For You" showcases her exquisite vocals
and emotive qualities. Katie sings with passion and touching sentiment. She carries
on in the same vein in the strikingly passionate "I Do Believe in Love." The pace and
Katie's evocative delivery makes the track work extremely well.
The first of the bonus tracks, "It's Only Pain," was recorded in New York at the
Manhattan Centre Studio 4 in July 2006 as a new track especially for this collection.
"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" is a live performance recorded as part of a radio
project with other artists as a Beatles tribute. The acoustic version heard here went
to air from studio 2 at Abbey Road where the Beatles first recorded the original. The
last of the bonus tracks, "Sometimes When I'm Dreaming" was recorded during the sessions
for Piece By Piece but was not finished at that time. This stripped down version
was specially mixed for this special bonus edition album. The DVD is a wonderful
addition to this collection and shows a more intimate view of this marvelous
chanteuse.
Although the formula for success on this CD remains the same with a handful of
cover songs combined with some of Mike Batt's superb material, Katie has inserted
more of herself with her own musical compositions. She shows significant growth as
an artist, poignantly expressing herself with sentiment and beauty in her voice and
music. Katie's languid tones capture the listener with her sensual delivery. She
is an extremely versatile performer and she delivers the goods with emotional
intensity. There is no doubt that her album, Piece by Piece: Special Bonus
Edition, will delight her fans with her sublime vocal ambrosia.--Audrey Elliot in New York 
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