How does a 22 year old come to be hailed as the new Billie Holliday or Ella Fitzgerald? Sadly, a car crash was the catalyst - Meldoy suffering head injuries sustained when a car failed to see her on her bike.

Her physician suggested song writing as therapy and following an EP recorded while she was still unable to walk, Worrisome Heart is her first full album. Co-produced by Grammy winning producer Glenn Barratt the accompanying cast includes her live band of Barney McKenna on guitar, Paul Klinefelfelter on bass and Chrlie Patrienro on drums with, and guest artist including guitarist Jef Lee Johnson (Billy Joel, George Duke, Aretha Franklin, David Sandborn), organist Joel Bryant (Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick Jr.), and trumpeter Matt Cappy (Jill Scott, Kirk Franklin).

The likes of Norah Jones have already made jazz a more accessible genre, but Melody serves it up with an altogether more traditional fashion. And it has to be said it's a beauifully crafted album - each vibrant , shimmering note and breath laid bare for the listener to dissect. It's enough to make the hairs on the back of you neck stand to attention.

But rock, it's definitely not. Not even a distant relation, although it is a modern classic of it's genre. Enough, frankly to make Michael Parkinson come out of retirement.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley