Little Voice (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Sara Bareilles (acoustic guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, background vocals); Sara Bareilles; Cameron Stone (cello); Chris Joyner (piano); Chris Chaney (bass guitar); Bruce Watson (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Joel Shearer, Lyle Workman, Stuart Mathis (guitar); Eric Rosse (mandolin, electric piano, percussion, programming); Jamie Muhoberac (piano); Matt Chamberlain, Brian MacLeod (drums); Rafael Padilla (percussion); Jake Davies (programming); Josh Day, Javier Dunn (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Eric Rosse.

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; NRG, North Hollywood, CA; SquawkBox Studio, LA; Sunset Sound Recorders, LA.

Arranger: Eric Rosse.

Buoyed by the springy, Motown-ish single "Love Song," Sara Bareilles's major-label debut (and second full-length album) has brought the songwriter/pianist some well-deserved attention and a place on the Billboard charts. With a clear, expressive (and hardly little) voice that glides effortlessly from alto to soprano, Bareilles conveys vulnerability and wisdom in lyrics that speak honestly about relationships from a woman's point of view. Her piano-playing and songwriting veer from Billy Joel bounce to Fiona Apple angst, but it's all held together by a commanding sense of melody, and a lovely, pristine production. minimize