I fell quick and hard the first time I watched Adele Adkins perform during her gig on Saturday Night Live. I have to admit part of my first attraction was that she is plus sized (about 12/14) and we all know there are not a lot of successful, talented plus size entertainers to relish in the music industry.

Adele 19 is the first North American release for London born Adele Adkins. It was released in 2008 when she was nineteen, hence the title. All but one of the twelve tracks were written by Adele who has been writing songs since her preteens.

Adele says she's been influenced by divas like Etta James and Peggy Lee which is obvious from her earthy vocals. In some songs I listened to I would say she's a combination of artists like Lulu, Peggy Lee, Etta James, Norah Jones and early Jewel. There is a definite blues meets folk contingent.

The songs on Adele 19 are of love, loss and wants. There is a hint of the insecurities women feel about their looks and much about the lack of control that comes with some relationships; bad relationships. Melancholy is a definitely theme but this album did not bring me down.

The tracks:

* Daydreamer
* Best for Last
* Chasing Pavements
* Cold Shoulder
* Crazy for You
* Melt my Heart of Stone
* First Love
* Right as Rain
* Make You Feel My Love
* My Same
* Tired
* Hometown Glory

Daydreamer reminds me of early Jewel. Best for Last is a great song and I absolutely love the chorus but the intro vocals and instruments are so contradictory to one another. Chasing Pavements was one of the singles released and this is where I hear the Lulu, Norah, and Jewels the most. It's a fabulous song with a catchy beat. Right as Rain is probably one of the more upbeat songs instrumental wise compared to the rest. Make You Feel My Love should be the song listened to this first. It was written by Bob Dylan and proves that great lyrics and a great voice are heaven's best. This is the most played song on my CD.

If you decide to try a sampling through MP3 only I would highly recommend: Daydreamer, Chasing Pavements, Make You Feel My Love and Tired.

Overall, I really enjoyed this young artist who is still growing into both her voice and her writing talent. I look forward to future compilations and highly recommend you listen to this beautiful maven.

Listen to Adele Adkins sing Make You Feel My Love:



Adele 19 is available on Amazon.com on CD and MP3.
Adele 19 is available on Amazon.ca on CD.