Strange Conversation

A singer since the age of five, Mandy Barnett is a mesmerizing vocalist whose style is deeply rooted in the classic country and pop crooning of the all-time great singers. Mandy Barnett laughs when she's asked, ''What took you so long?'' in regards to Strange Conversation, her progressive take on post-modern American songbook. Sure, she's a classicist who's channeled Patsy Cline in a theatrical musical, recorded classic country songs with legendary producer Owen Bradley, and transfixed known musicos Seymour Stein, Arif Mardin and Ahmet Ertegun with her timeless stylings. But the girl who signed her first major label deal at 12 decided she needed a change. Produced by Marco Giovino and Doug Lancio for Thirty Tigers and Barnett's own label Dame Productions, Strange Conversations places the ebony-haired vocalist between obscure vintage pop and modern progressive songwriting. Think Lee Hazlewood and the Tams meet Tom Waits and Greg Garing with a little Mable John thrown in.