Leslie Mendelson – After the Party
Many talented singers cross my ears, but it’s been a while since I heard someone with a satiny easy listening voice with folky-pop properties. While Grammy-nominated Leslie Mendelson doesn’t have the smoky variable voice of Bird York she does combine a sultry Julie London with a whispery noir of Sarah MacLachlan. On track one (“Have a Little Heart”) Leslie adds a Neil Young-type harmonica to good effect & this becomes a creative, original approach to an old genre.
Instrumentally, Leslie adds a striking “Other Girls,” with its mystifying intro & then suddenly drops off into a spirited pop song. She certainly knows how to gain attention. And what’s even more value-added is her imaginative pop melodic sense that comes with the excellent “Rock and Roll On the Radio.” Again, she adds a little Neil Young harmonica, a juicy Leslie Gore (“That’s The Way Boys Are”) & Jackie de Shannon (Don’t Turn Your Back On Me”) vocal shade & 60s melodic magic ensues. Quite cool.
There are 10 leftover souvenirs from After the Party (Drops June 21/Pasadena Records/RPF/40:56) but they’re all worth lifting. This is Leslie’s 4th & it includes a folded insert with lyrics/credits. There are 3 producers: Peter Asher (Ganjo), Tyler Chester (bass/keys) & 3-time Grammy Award-winner Steve McEwan (acoustic/electric guitars/bgv). The effort was recorded at Jackson Browne’s studio Grove Masters in CA.
“After the Party,” is a moodier piece drenched in ‘60s Mary Weiss/Shangri-Las darkness “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” with its Warren Zevon-like hook. However, the tune is well-written & nostalgic — a real heart-tugger. There are enough positive melodies on this set to not remind anyone of any hard controversial themes, politics, or things that don’t make sense anymore.
It’s one long optimistic rocking of the cradle where all you see are tall trees, blue skies & white puffy clouds. Leslie has that voice – soothing, reassuring & a ‘60s transfusion of ‘pure pop for now people.’ (Where did I hear that line before?).
In addition to her musical validity Leslie (piano/vocal/harmonica/acoustic guitar/Hammond B3/tambourine) has a slight soulful flexibility with tunes like “Keep a Little Light On.” As described in her PR she’s a cross between the once abundant Laurel Canyon singer-songwriters & Brooklyn wit & grit ladies like Carol King & the late Laura Nyro (Bronx). Well-manicured pieces that can & will resonate with listeners. I’ll take a second helping anytime.
Highlights – “Have a Little Heart,” “Other Girls,” “Rock and Roll On the Radio,” “After the Party,” “The Good Life,” “Keep a Little Light On,” “Signs of Life,” “My Own Worst Enemy,” “I Gotta Go” & “I Know a Lot of People.”
Musicians – Jim Keltner & Abe Rounds (drums), Leland Sklar & Derrick Anderson (bass), John Jorgensen (guitar/mandolin/lap steel) & Waddy Wachtel (guitar),
Photos courtesy of Mary Ellen Matthews/RPF. CD @ https://royalpotatofamily.com/product/leslie-mendelson-after-the-party/ & https://lesliemendelson.bandcamp.com/album/after-the-party & https://www.lesliemendelson.com/
