Madrugada is a 1974 album released by Melanie featuring the singles "Lover's Cross" and "Love to Lose Again". In November 1973, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" became a Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom and was subsequently added to the British release of the album.
The album consists of leftover material from the 1972 sessions for Stoneground Words which was initially conceived as a double album.[1] As with Gather Me, the album featured arrangements and conduction by Roger Kellaway.
The word madrugada is Portuguese and Spanish for the time of the night between midnight and sunrise.
In their review of the album, Billboard stated that "Melanie expands her horizons on this new Neighborhood effort. Her singing is clearer than ever and her writing just as refreshing as she explores new musical ideas."[3]
Cashbox noted that the album was "an interesting and exciting departure from her unique style."[4]
Record World called it "an album that will undoubtedly be her grandest to date. Melanie never sounded better on her own tunes and her unique voice lends itself well to The Stones' "Wild Horses" and Randy Newman's sensitive "I Think It's Going To Rain Today."[5]
AllMusic were more mixed in their praise, conceding the album contained "a few new musical ideas" with "Melanie striding boldly into high-flown, fretful autobiography with some success. As a performer, she was displaying more skill and restraint than ever before. As a songwriter, there were signs that her gifts were on the wane; Madrugada was half covers... nothing on Madrugada is anything less than pleasant."[2]
Track listing
All songs written by Melanie Safka except where noted:
