Vonda Shepard had flirted with success as a singer and songwriter before a recurring role on the hit television show Ally McBeal -- Shepard played a bar singer with a soulful voice (talk about a stretch) --turned her into a star in the 1990s. Shepard certainly deserved the attention that she got, as her naturally soulful voice proved perfect for the vintage R&B tunes that the script required her to sing. The result -- she finally enjoyed a few years of radio play, hefty CD sales and midlevel touring.
But when the show went away, so seemingly did Shepard -- a shame given that the world had barely had a chance to experience her original songs. Last week, Shepard ended a five-year absence with the release of From the Sun, a new disc produced by husband Mitchell Froom. The disc is filled with reflective songs, all of which find added depth through Shepard's ever-soulful singing.
Shepard is about to embark on tour, and she took a break from packing to share with relish a list of must-have albums that will accompany her on tour.
Missy Higgins, On a Clear Night
: "I love this album. Missy sings with an unabashedly heavy, raw Australian accent that I find very intoxicating. The essence of her free spirit shines through cracks in the armor she has attained in her very short time on Earth. Finally, something original!"
Randy Newman, Harps and Angels
: "OK, Randy Newman fans -- LOOK OUT! A true American treasure has come out with one of his most poignant albums since Sail Away (which my parents used to play in the 1970s). Randy makes me want to read thousands of books and practice a lot. There is no one deeper."
Habib Koite, Maya
: "This album never leaves my iPod. If you have a romanticized vision of Africa, this CD will transport you to a fire pit in the jungle of Mali where you'll dance with utter abandon. There is a rolling, gorgeous motion to Habib's music -- the closest thing to God I've ever heard."
Joseph Arthur, Redemption's Son
: "This is on my Web site as one of my favorites. The first time I heard the song, "Innocent World," I had to pull my car over and wait to find out who this magical person was."
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