In an online review for Madeleine Peyroux’ new album “Anthem,” in the Italian publication Musica Jazz, the jazz vocalist cites the passing of John Ashbery as a major creative impetus, which “gave rise to those who succeed in lighting flashes of light in the shadows, but also brought their very human vulnerability to the fore.” The opening of the article appears here in translation (thank you, Google Translate).
Madeleine Peyroux: Anthem
With Alceste Ayroldi
Curated by Alessandro Manitto - 05/15/2019
A complex and tormented character, the singer Madeleine Peyroux has a strong political and social conscience and a scarce willingness to compromise.
Madeleine Peyroux (photo by Yann Orhan)
The impression is that " Anthem " puts your soul in deep evidence and offers a new perspective to Madeleine Peyroux. What were the reflections that guided you on this album?
Let's say that my reflections were born in a very natural way. At the beginning I didn't know what a record would have come out of it, but now that this record is there, I realize that the unconscious objective had to be to combine my private affairs with political ones. And I believe that the result can be defined as a short story about my personal problems, which in turn reflect all those we have today in the United States. Anthem Is an album “born from the group”: my friends and I locked ourselves in a room, meditating on the events of the world and letting personal experiences give rise to ideas. The sadness of David Baerwald, caused by the death of the poet John Ashbery, gave rise to feelings of admiration for certain characters who succeed in lighting flashes of light in the shadows, but also brought their very human vulnerability to the fore.
Read the rest here.