After three albums filled with soft pop and made under the supervision of its discoverer Mike Batt, Katie Melua gave it up. Her fourth studio album The House (2010) was produced by William Orbit (Madonna, Blur) and written by Guy Chambers (the man behind Robbie Williams for many years). Together they made a theatrical album with varied elements that were reminiscent of both old musicals and disco
… tampers. A few months before this album was released, the singer performed with the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra at a jazz festival in the same city. The great revolution was yet to come and it is therefore interesting whether there were already signs on the wall that Melua would say goodbye to her famous style. The lyrical and narrative songs of her first three CDs are just right for an orchestra, as this music is also heavily orchestrated in the studio. However, the Stuttgart Philharmonic is more ganering than tastemaker, so that the English regular band is the real centerpiece of this show. The twenty songs guarantee a pleasant hour and a half, but without dazzling musical fireworks they also give a sluggish impression. It is easy to understand that Melua has changed course after this. (JE)more