Heather Nova - Wonderlust (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

* * ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING * *

Lizzie Yang | New York | 05/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My sister had introduced me to Heather Nova's songs when she bought Siren. Little did she know that I would be playing it nonstop! I was so completely impressed by the quality of her voice, her vocal ranges and seductive yet powerful lyrics that I bought Wonderlust because I had heard that it was from her Siren promotion tour. And WOW!!! This recording completely overwhelmed me because her voice was just so much more powerful and energetic than her studio cuts. I am in complete agreement with the other reviewers; she breathes life into her songs and the band only add to it. She pours all her feelings and emotions into her songs and it shows. I don't know how but they are totally in sync with Heather - from my experience, singers usually are either overpowered by the band or they just sound really awful live.
As for the songs:Winterblue: From her Siren album, it was my least favorite but I was hooked on live version. Completely different and the bass made it so much cooler!Walk this World: From Oyster, what can I say? Fantastic!Island: From Oyster, she pours her heart out in this one. Her voice is so haunting and seductive and it amazes me how high her voice can reach. Heart and Shoulder: From Siren, my favorite! Near the end, she drags out the notes so impressively: "when you're worried and confused------."Paper Cup: From Siren, she makes it much more romantic.London Rain: From Siren, I just wanted to keep singing along with her. The song is just so infectious. And it brings out the beauty of her voice. Not Only Human: From Siren, again, electrifying.Doubled up: From Oyster, another great song! You can definitely hear the cello (Nadia) in this one. Truth and Bone: From Oyster, her voice has never sounded better.I'm the girl: From Siren, very energized and she just wails the words out. Heal: From Oyster, it was much more sensual than her studio cut and is now one of my favorites. Make you Mine: From Siren, again, so different from her album. Sugar: From Oyster, this song was already raw and swamped with emotions. I don't know how Heather did it, but the Oyster version simply pales in comparison to her live one. She completely loses herself in this song (not really a surprise since she was building up to this point throughout the gig)and the ending guitar riffs are so amazing!!! I'm on Fire: I'm pretty sure this is Bruce Springstein's song but Heather most definitely leaves her trademark on it. Words cannot describe her performance. Once you hear Wonderlust, you will be hooked (like me)! This cd is worth the money; it is a tad more expensive because it is an import. But I would have given almost everything to be at her concerts physically. Hopefully, she'll tour in the states soon!"

What you are missing....

Perry Black | 08/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"without a doubt "Wonderlust" has got to be the best live album, bar none, of any artist, i have ever heard. This woman hits notes and emotes visions that are just impossible to believe. If you ever get stranded somewhere, but at least have a copy of this album with you...then at least you'll have a little bit of Nirvana with you and you won't regret it...it's just so irresistable....just take this from "Make you mine"... "... you're the one i think about, time after time, you're the one that comes to me, visions in the night. I wanna complicate your feelings, i wanna heat you up inside, yeah, yeah, I wanna make you mine.... "and so beautiful....lines from "paper cup" - "wishful....thinking i might be yours...." and it just goes on and on...... do yourself a favor... and buy this album... you'll never regret it.perry"

Excellent

Oswald Muerner | Bern, Schweiz | 01/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent live album of the excellent musician. In her intensity, her sensitivity and her joy in making experiments Heather Nova actually is only comparable with Lou Reed. She likes equally letting every song sound new again and again, which makes a live album especially interesting. Contains all of my favorite songs of the both of her first studio albums ?Oyster" and ?Siren". The final song is a mind-blowing version of ?I'm On Fire" (by Bruce Springsteen). After my valuation of ?Oyster" and ?Siren", at least twelve stars should be adequate here."

A striking overview of Heather's talent

Laura Faulks | Loughborough, Leicestershire England | 04/29/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After being introduced to the studio albums 'Siren' and 'Oyster' I decided to give 'Wonderlust' a go. Normally, I am a bit wary of live albums, as I usually find them a bit flat, and not as spirited as studio albums, lacking in enthusiasm and energy. However, this album was a pleasant surprise.'Winter Blue' is one of my all time favourites, so I could not have disliked it, it still held out as a powerful song, it's composition heart sung, with strong instrumentation and a descant backing up the chorus...gorgeous. I prefer the live rendition of 'Paper Cup' to the studio one, somehow it is more deep and catchy. 'London Rain' is pretty much the same to the studio version coming out of the same vein. 'Doubled Up', another beautiful ballard is somewhat disappointing, as though Heather Nova is not giving it her best it is lacking in feeling. 'Heal' is striking, particularly the instrumental arrangement in the chorus and bridge along with her wailing voice, full of lament, there is something simple but very striking about the line ''and the sea glistens ''. 'Heart and Shoulder' is full of heart-felt pity, and 'Walk With Me' command and force to the urgency and alarm of 'Island', not lacking in strength. All in all, a good compilation of songs from 'Oyster' and 'Siren' with the exception of a non-Heather Nova hit 'I'm on Fire' which is a bit non-descript.However, on the whole, it is great music to draw anyone into the talent of Heather's great talent and voice."

This is the best live album I've ever heard

Perry Black | 12/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Heather's studio albums each contain gems that are without par, this album remains one of the ones that captures the essence of Heather - she seems to puts her entire being into a live performance. Most live performances often leave me missing a element or two of the radio edit version - either the vocals don't live up to what you've heard on the radio, and expect to hear during a live performance, or the band's music swamps the lead singers vocals. This album is an exception! The vocals are there. The band is there. The balance is correct. It's perfect. Better than the studio albums! You feel Heather's "presence" and that's all I need to switch into total ecstasy. The "rush" starts with "Island" and then when she sings "Heart and Shoulder" you feel like she truly means every word - if you won't be moved to another plane of nirvana when she drags out the high note on "...worried and confused...". Chills still run up the back of my spine and off the top of my head 8 months later after first hearing of this performance. The devastation continues with "Paper Cup", during which you can almost envision yourself as the Prince dancing with Cinderella just before the stroke of midnight. The "magic" of that dream can be felt....and it just goes on and on......Heather is at her best here. This is not an album you can just listen to as background music. As soon as you flip it on you have to stop what you are doing and just groove with it.It leaves you there....wrecked on her shores... Heather is without a doubt the proverbial Siren of Greek mythology. Wow! Yes. Wow! Buy this album or steal it.
....."

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