Hello sweet friends-welcome to this week's #TuesdayTune post at NatashaInOz.com
I can't stop listening to Melody Gardot.
I can't stop listening to Melody Gardot.
Melody Gardot is a Grammy-nominated American singer, writer and musician in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Have you heard her story? It is incredible....
While cycling in Philadelphia in November 2003 she was hit by a Jeep Cherokee whose driver had ignored a red traffic light. She suffered serious head and spinal injuries and her pelvis was broken in two places. She was confined to her hospital bed for a year where she had to remain lying on her back the whole time. Even today she can't sit for too long due to a misaligned pelvis and she uses a cane to stand and walk. She also suffers from regular neuralgic pain which is partly alleviated by a Tens device (a black box sending electrical impulses into her body to stimulate endorphins). A further consequence of her injuries was that she had to re-learn the most simple tasks like brushing her teeth and walking. The most noticeable effect of the neural injuries she suffered is that she was left hyper-sensitive to both light and sound, therefore requiring her to wear dark sunglasses at nearly all times to shield her eyes.
The accident also resulted in both long and short term memory problems and difficulty with her sense of time. Gardot has described coping with this as like "climbing Mount Everest every day" as she often wakes with no memory of what she has to do that day.
The accident had damaged the neural pathways between the brain's two cortexes which control perception and higher mental function, and made Gardot (in her own words) "a bit of a vegetable." As well as making it very hard for her to speak or communicate properly, she found it difficult to recall the right words to express her feelings. Studies of the brain have shown that listening to music and making a verbal attempt to sing or hum is thought to help the brain form new pathways. As part of Gardot's therapy, she learned to hum and was eventually able to sing into a tape recorder. Gardot then began writing music and has now become an advocate of music as therapy.
"Without any room for compromise, music is the reason why am I speaking to you," she says in a light lilting voice, which never rises above a gentle murmur. "Flatly and deeply, in the sense that if I had not been doing music I would not be speaking the way I do now." Source.
The first songs she wrote described her emotions during the long and painful rehabilitation, including one song called Some Lessons, which has the line "to think I could have fallen a centimetre to the left/I would not be here to see the sunset or have myself a time". Those early recordings were released as an EP called Some Lessons - The Bedroom Sessions, attracting enough online attention to see her signed by a major label for her full-length debut, Worrisome Heart.
After meeting her in New York City in 2008, producer Larry Klein began working with Gardot and they released her second album, My One and Only Thrill, on April 28, 2009. From this album, the song "Who Will Comfort Me?" became a top 10 hit at Smooth Jazz radio.

“Music brings people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.”
Best wishes,
Natasha In Oz
Melody Gardot is some brave ad inspirational lady. I enjoyed listening with my morning coffee. Enjoy what is left of your SundayNatasaha.
ReplyDeleteHappy sunday darling........love Ria.
ReplyDeleteHer story and her voice are incredible! Thanks for sharing! :O)
ReplyDeleteNatasha, you definitely have shared another wonderful artist with me. Not only was I not aware of her story, but I had not heard of her at all. She is incredible.
ReplyDeleteOh Natasha thank you so much for sharing this story! I'm sending a link to your blog to my youngest dd who is majoring in Music and wants to get her Masters in Music Therapy. What an inspiring story.
ReplyDeleteDear Natasha, Thank you for your lovely respons. As you can see I contributed with a song. Till next time, Sandra
ReplyDeleteMelody Gardot's story is amazing. I love her music... very classy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a incredible story and beautiful music! Very inspiring to know that people still can make the best of their lives even when it seems like life has come to an end!
ReplyDeleteI loved her voice and her song. Thanks for sharing Natasha!
What an amazing story. It really puts things into perspective to hear of someone who has triumphed over so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible story. Absolutely inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI went and immediately bought this wonderful album. Thank you so much. She is truly amazing...
ReplyDeleteHey Natasha... I linked up on my way to rush my kids to school, and only got a chance to comment now. I'm loving the Sunday Song idea. Do you have a button??
ReplyDeletexx
Glad you brought my attention to Ms. Gardot for I had not heard of her before. I wonder if her real name is Melody - certainly could not have a more appropriate one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story! And what a sweet song bird she is, thanks for sharing! :D
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you shared this ...her story is wonderful...as is her voice!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Cathy
What an amazing young woman.
ReplyDeleteI tried to leave a sticky on your wall but never could get it to work...sorry...I'll try again later.
xo bj
What an incredible story and what a beautiful song. I'll be checking out more of her music..Rachaelxx
ReplyDeleteGreat story!
ReplyDeleteI've heard her music before, but not her amazing story. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMimi
Wow, a touching story and a beautiful voice. Thanks for bringing her to our attention. I might have to break down and purchase her CD. I love soft jazz music. :)
ReplyDeleteMaureen
I to had never heard of her, but I now have a new artist to add to my playlist!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful music, and what an inspiring story of courage!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Beth
I found Melody Gardot accidentally on iTunes and fell instantly in love with her voice. The songs are insightful, cheery and just wonderful. I hope she becomes everyone's fave!!
ReplyDelete