Music Review: Melanie Doane - A Thousand Nights

Special and lovingly crafted. This is how I would describe Melanie Doane's latest release.

I've been a fan of Doane's for awhile now ever since I had seen her open up for Great Big Sea on their Turn tour, and I thought she was terrific with a unique style and destined for stardom. So, it was no surprise that I had been patiently anticipating her new released once it was announced.

A Thousand Nights has a nice concept attached to it. Having recently had a child, Doane looked at having a record of songs that could be played to children without their parents getting tired of them quickly due to repeated listening, enduring "A Thousand Nights" of repeating listening if you will.

And Doane delivers, no pun intended, a beautiful album. The album is made up mostly of covers, but the choices are inspired, and the arrangements well done in her unique style, all very mellow. Melanie gives them fresh new takes, such as the beautiful version of Fleetwood Mac's Songbird, featuring Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. It has to be heard to be believed. Among other beautiful gems are Leonard Cohen's Song of Bernadette, Tom Petty's Wildflowers, The Everly Brother's Devoted to You, Bruce Cockburn's All The Diamonds, Tom Waits' Martha, and Baby Makes Three, a very beautiful composition of her own.

This has become one of my favourite albums of the year. I highly recommend it.

www.melaniedoane.com