Melody Gardot - Which albums to buy?

@noromance   I read your post above just before receiving "My One and Only Thrill" CD today.  I note that your comments refer to the LP of that release.  Specifically, I bought the European release which includes a second CD of "Live in Paris".  

The sound quality of the main CD is superb in every way.  Melody's voice is right in the room!  The orchestra and other supporting instruments were well placed and clear and clean.

I'm looking forward to listening to the live tracks later today.

It's a shame the sound of the LP is so poor.  It's also surprising.  Perhaps the European release was engineered and mastered more expertly.  Both CDs are mastered by Bernie Grundman.

@noromance   I forgot to thank you for your post.  I really appreciate it as I will know to be wary of her LP releases.  It would be interesting if there was a European released LP that we could compare to what you are hearing.

Listening to the "Live in Paris" EP included with "My One and Only Thrill" UK Special Edition CD. Beautiful open "you are there" sound quality. Very vivid sounding applause! There is something very unique about how Melody enunciates consonants. Distinctive quality.

@hifiman5 The thing is though that it does sound good. And you are correct about the in the room quality, and yes, the orchestra is sublime. However, it is only when I played older recordings that I am acutely aware that there is something else going on. It is as if all non-essential musical artifacts have been removed, smoothed over. It reminds me of Dolby C on a CrO2 tape! I always used to let the hiss through and the music shine and breath than have it processed into some weaker facsimile of the actual musical frequencies.

I have the hi rez "The Absence" flac and it always knocks me right out. If you have a good rig, it's primo stuff.  

Worrisome heart also as good. Only have those two. Both delish.