Album review: Tightrope Walker by Rachael Yamagata is a high-level performance

The singer-songwriter named the album in honour of the Frenchman who walked a tightrope between New York's Twin Towers in 1974.

Tightrope Walker by Rachael Yamagata. Frankenfish / Thirty Tigers via AP Photo

Tightrope Walker

Rachael Yamagata

(Frankenfish/Thirty Tigers)

Four stars

When tightrope walker Philippe Petit – the Frenchman who in 1974 walked a high wire strung between the Twin Towers in New York – was asked why he did it, he replied curtly: “Why? There is no why.” Rachael Yamagata was floored by his answer, which led the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter to question her own reasons for doing things – and to name her new album in Petit’s honour.

The 39-year-old's voice is a soul-baring, sultry instrument that commands centre stage at all times. She has that deliberate, I'll-sing-the-note-when-I'm-ready pacing that recalls soul chanteuses such as Billie Holliday. She can rock, too. She sings with fire on the outstanding jam-band romp, Let Me Be Your Girl, her vocals complemented perfectly by edgy guitar and horns.

She stays in command when she slows things down – to a near stop on Break Apart, and then again on I'm Going Back, both of which are stirring ballads. Throughout the album, Yamagata sings with the confidence of someone working without a net.

And if she’s not quite walking a tightrope herself, she is certainly performing at a very high level.