Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
Leona is one of the most amazing vocalist ever. She's in a class with Mariah Carey but with actual class. Classy in the way she dresses, performs and carries herself. Her voice is something that you can build huge arrangements around and you know that she won't get overpowered. The difference is that while Leona has the pipes she doesn't unnecessarily abuse them with annoying Diva runs and screeches. She stays within the song. The day I really warmed up too Leona was when she did the amazing cover of Run by Snow Patrol. I don't think I've ever heard a better cover by a pop artist in my life. It stayed true to the gloomy nature of the song but while I love Snow Patrol there was a true beauty to hearing the flat lazy vocals replaced with Leona's gorgeous layers and the music built to something truly epic. I loved how the scope of the song increased so much. Hear it for yourself:
Run (Snow Patrol cover, Live, Studio, and Video Versions)
Now I had liked the singles just fine but they were typical fare as far as the material she was singing:
I had to buy the Special Edition of Spirit to get that cover song though:
To me while I could hear the talent I think Leona needs some more adventurous songwriters because I can see what she can do with good songs. I can see what she can do with these bland songs and she can make them better. I haven't heard her second album but maybe it's better. The work that has me really excited is she's releasing a three c.d. covers EP and all the songs are amazing just like Run. I read a little bit of how Leona was going through a rough phase in life and all these songs reflected how she was feeling during that period. She picked three excellent songs so she definitely has taste just to start. She covers The Counting Crows, NIN/Johnny Cash and Goo Goo Dolls. To me I know people will be unnecessarily harsh on her for even touching "Hurt" but it's just another angle on a great song. The best is the Goo Goo Dolls cover for "Iris" because it had the most potential for being better and having something special added to it. Leona doesn't cheat the covers by losing the depth and nature. This isn't pop cheese. Hear for yourself:
If anyone has a campaign for some more original material where she shines please do contribute. I just know she's a beautiful talent and vessel for beautiful music and shew definitely deserved a thread!