CD Review
Artist: Lizz Wright
Album Title: The Orchard
Label: Universal Music/Verve Music Group
Released: Feb 26^th 2008 

4 ½ Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey 

Lizz Wright's third album The Orchard is a gorgeous collection of sultry, romantic, poetic songs that will make you either weep or broadly smile. At just 28 years old, Wright has managed to capture the wisdom of the universe. Her music is a mature smooth Jazz sound with the incandessant depth of soul music. In fact, Wright's vocals are so smooth, I'd be inclined to file her CD next to a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label, than my CD collection. Wright's new album is beautiful nostalgia and complex originality. The Orchard both impresses and lulls the listener into a more meditative state of being. 

All tracks on The Orchard are quantifiably dynamic, whether you are listening to the heart wrenching ‘Coming Home' or the resonant ‘Song For Mia' you are certain to enjoy each song equally for its presence. The Orchard does have a dynamic evolution, from silky Jazz tracks, to hints of country guitar in songs like ‘When I Fall,' and yet another layer is added as Wright dips into a bluesy pop ballad with the track ‘Leave Me Standing Alone.' Wright has a great way of using the lower register of her voice almost gracefully; which is both warm and languid. The track ‘Speak Your Heart' showcases Wright's voice paired with a beautiful baritone accompanying in the background.

Lizz Wright also dips into some classics as she does covers of the Ike and Tina Turner song ‘I Idolize You,' Sweet Honey in the Rock's ‘Hey Mann,' the Led Zeppelin ballad ‘Thank You' and Patsy Cline's evocative ‘Strange.' Wright does an enchanting version of Cline's ‘Strange,' refusing to recreate the track with Cline's signature warbles, but instead Wright makes a surreal and gentle track that is equally as lingering as its original. 

Wright is a perfect example of why people should go out of their comfort music zones as someone who may not necessarily consider they like Jazz would still thoroughly enjoy The Orchard. In graceful vocal appeal, similar to Carly Simon, paired with the musical depth of Nina Simone, Wright creates a delightful album that is full of life's tender moments in The Orchard. Wright's Father, a Minister in Georgia must be proud, as his daughter's voice is simply ethereal.

Coming Home
My Heart
I Idolize You
Hey Mann
Another Angel
When I Fall
Leave Me Standing Alone
Speak Your Heart
This Is
Song For Mia
Thank You
Strange