CD REVIEW
Vonda Shepard - Rookie
I REMEMBER Vonda well as the house pianist in TV show Ally McBeal, giving us a soundtrack to the neurotic lawyer's life giving it a considerable amount of depth once everyone stopped talking about that dancing baby.
So it's surprising that this is Vonda's 14th album and that Ally McBeal finished 13 years ago.
Shepard has moved on considerably since those days, with the ironically-named Rookie going to some dark places.
Her lyrics are drenched in emotion on Tell My Body and Walk on the Water is an upbeat, catchy change of direction which has a simplicity belying its sophistication.
Her gritty, soulful sound in live track Roll in the Dirt is an indication of what to expect when Shepard brings her tour to Dorset in the autumn.
I particularly enjoyed I Just Don't Get It, probably most reminiscent of the 'Ally' days, but considerably more empowering and full of life experience.
JOANNA DAVIS
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