Vonda Shepard

Vonda Shepard

Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard enjoyed one of the more unique career breakthroughs in pop music history; while most performers rely on radio airplay or relentless touring to win fans, Shepard instead shot to fame as a result of the hit television series Ally McBeal, which featured her performing live on an almost weekly basis.

Born in New York City in 1963, her family relocated to California a few years later; there Shepard studied voice and piano, and was just a teen when she recorded "Can't We Try," a duet with singer Dan Hill. After touring as a backup singer for Jackson Browne, she recorded her self-titled Reprise label debut in 1989, the LP sacrificing the bluesy soulfulness of her music in favor of slick production values.

Only weeks after the release of her 1992 sophomore effort The Radical Light, Shepard was dropped by Reprise; she spent the next several years without a label or a manager, instead becoming a fixture of the L.A. club circuit. There she developed a small but ardent cult following, independently releasing It's Good, Eve in 1996; among her fans were TV producer David E. Kelley and his actress wife Michelle Pfeiffer, and when Kelley set about creating his comedy-drama Ally McBeal for the Fox network, he tapped Shepard to become the show's musical voice.

Not only was The Radical Light's "Searchin' My Soul" used as the series' theme, but Shepard herself became a regular cast member, playing the house performer at the local nightclub the program's title character and her co-workers frequented. As Ally McBeal emerged as a breakout hit, it re-ignited Shepard's career, and a major bidding war to land the rights to a series soundtrack followed, with the record appearing in mid-1998, Songs from Ally McBeal.

By 7:30 was released in April 1999 by Jacket Records; a second Ally McBeal collection followed later that same year.

Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Vonda Shepard -
Vonda Shepard
"Awesome debut album"
The Tracks are: Don't Cry Ilene, He Ain't With Me, Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow, Hold Out, Looking For Something, I Shy Away, I've Been Here Before, A New Marilyn, Say The Words, La Journee & Jam Karet (Time Is Elastic).
Musicians on the Vonda Shepard album: Vonda Shepard, Armand Grimaldi, Jimmy Haslip, James Harrah, Michael Ruff, Mark Morgan, Luis Conte, Michael Paulo, Adie Grey, Leslie Smith, James Newton Howard, Neil Stubenhaus, Michael Landau, Davey Johnstone, Paulinho Da Costa, Edie Lehman, David Pack, Jeff Porcaro, Michael Mason, Charles Frichtel, Freddie Washington, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Phil Perry, Brianna Shepard, Gardner Cole, Dean Parks, John Robinson, Steve Croes, Alex Brown, Philip Ingram & Art Munson.
Available from © Reprise Records./Original release year: 1989

Vonda Shepard -
The Radical Light
"2nd album"
The Tracks are: Searchin My Soul, The Radical Light, 100 Tears Away, Wake Up the House, Clean Rain, Dreamin', Good To Yourself, Love Will Come And Go, Out On The town & Cartwheels.
Musicians on the The Radical Lightl album: Vonda Shepard, Michael Landau, Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Porcaro , David Pack, Joseph Williams, Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Jay Dee Mannes, David Campbell, Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett, Mitchell Froom, Benmont Tench, David James, Matthew Wilder, Khris Kellow, Randy Waldman, Jimmy Haslip, Jerry Scheff, Jim Keltner, Lenny Castro & Paulinho Da Costa.
Available from © Reprise Records/Original release year: 1992

Vonda Shepard -
It´s Good, Eve
"Vonda is back with her 3rd album"
The Tracks are: Maryland, A Lucky Life, Grain Of Sand, The Wildest Times Of The World, Like A Hemisphere, Naivete, Long Term Boyfriend, Every Now & Then, Mischief & Control, Hotel Room View, This Steady Train & Serious Richard.
Musicians on the It´s Good, Eve album: Vonda Shepard, Michael Landau, Greg Leisz, Terry Glenny, Cameron Patrick, Lili Haydn, Darrin McCann, Martin Tillmann, Van Dyke Parks, Jeff Young, John "Jack" Pierce, Oneida James, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gary Mallaber, Carlos Vega, John Keane, Prettie, Leno, Punchy, Kelward, Lenny Castro, Jean McClain, Lynn Davis & Jackson Browne.
Available from © Vesper Alley/Original release year: 1996

Vonda Shepard -
Songs from Ally McBeal
"Soundtracs from the populare Fox-TV series Ally McBeal"
The Tracks are: Searchin´ My Soul, Ask The Lonely, Walk Away Renee, Hooked On A Feeling, You Belong To Me, The Wildest Times Of The World, Someone You Use, The End Of The World, Tell Him, Neighborhood, Will You Marry Me?, It´s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song), I Only Want To Be With You & Maryland.
Musicians on the Songs from Ally McBeal album: Vonda Shepard, Val McCallum, Jim Hanson, Jeff Young, Andy Kamman, Michael Landau, David Ravin, Greg Leisz, Martin Tillman, John Pierce, Vinnie Colaiuta, Lili Haydn, Lynn Davis, Jean McLain, Rob Ladd, Sy Smith, Vatrena King, Renee Goldsberry, Neal Larson, Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett, Michelle Richard, Peter Kent, Robert L. Becker, Valerie Carter, Paul Bushnell, Jebin Bruni, Brian McCleod, John Keane & Lenny Castro.
Available from © Sony Music/Original release year: 1998

Vonda Shepard -
By 7:30
"New album from the "Ally McBeal" performer"
The Tracks are: By 7:30, Mercy, Clear, Sail On By, Confetti, Cross To Bear, This Is Crazy Now, Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow, You And Me, Venus Is Breaking, Newspaper Wife, Soothe Me & Souvenir.
Musicians on the By 7:30 album: Vonda Shepard, Emily Saliers, Val McCallum, Michael Landau, Greg Leisz, Mark Feldman, Lorenza Ponce, Matthew Pierce, David Gold, Garo Yellin, Jane Scarpantoni, Aaron Heick, Charlie Guardino, Mitchell Froom, Penny Owsley, Tony Levin, Leland Sklar, Davey Faragher, Jim Hanson, Pete Thomas, Andy Kamman & Jerry Marotta.
Available from Sony/Original release year: 1999

Vonda Shepard-
Songs From Ally McBeal 2
"New Ally McBeal album"
The Tracks are: Read Your Mind, 100 Tears Away, Someday We'll Be Together, To Sir, With Love (Duet With Al Green), Sweet Inspriration, Crying, Vincent (Starry Starry Night), What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted, World Without Love, Confetti, Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow (Duet With Emily Saliers Of The Indigo Girls), This Is Crazy Now, This Old Heart Of Mine & I Know Him By Heart.
Musicians on the Ally McBeal 2 album: Vonda Shepard and others.
Available from Sony Records/Original release year: 1999

Vonda Shepard-
Ally McBeal Xmas
"Xmas album from Ally McBeal"
The Tracks are: This Christmas, The Man With The Bag, Please Come Home For Christmas, Silver Bells, Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, Run Rudolph Run, Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Santa Baby, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, River, White Christmas & What Are You Doing New Year's Eve.
Musicians on the Ally McBeal Xmas album: Vonda Shepard, Dawn Beckman, Jacqueline Brand, Carmen Carter, Matt Chamberlain, Lynn Davis, Stephen Erdody, Davey Faragher, Jim Hanson, Dan Higgins, Karen Jones, Andrew Kamman, Roland Kato, Vatrina King, Neil Larsen, Greg Leisz, Val McCallum, Victoria Miskolszy, Katia Popov, Greg Richling, Sy Smithm Melanie Taylor, Pete Thomas, Cecilia Tsan, Patrick Warren, Bruce Watson, Margaret Wooten & Jeff Young.
Available from Sony Records/Original release year: 2000

Vonda Shepard-
For Once In My Life
"New Ally McBeal album"
The Tracks are: For Once In My Life, Home Again, Don't Think Twice It's All Right, Chances Are, Every Breath You Take, You And Me, Snakes, Reason To Believe, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, When The Heartache Is Over, You're The First The Last My Everything, Love Is Alive, Alone Again (Naturally) & Can We Still Be Friends.
Musicians on the For Once In My Life album: Vonda Shepard, Robert Downey Jr., Sting, Al Green, Tina Turner, Barry White, Anastacia and others.
Available from Epic Records/Original release year: 2001

 

Vonda Shepard-
Chinatown
"New studio album from Vonda Shepard"
The Tracks are: Rainy Days, Chinatown, My Whole World, Lose My Way, Rain Or Shine, Downtown, Gyroscope, In July, The Sunset Marquis, 7 Days & Promises Grey Day.
Musicians on the Chinatown album: Vonda Shepard and others.
Available from Jacket Records/Original release year: 2002

 

Vonda Shepard-
Live
"Vonda Live + DVD"
The Tracks are: CD: Promising Grey Day, The Wildest Times Of The World, Naivete, Baby Don´t You Break My Heart, Slow (Duett), Every Natural Thing, Sweet Inspiration, You & Me, Maryland, Home Again, Mercy, The Radical Light, You Belong To Me & Home Again. DVD: Wildest Times Of The World, Baby Don´t You Break My Heart Slow, Rain Or Shine, Chinatown, Naivete & Home Again.
Musicians on the Live album: Vonda Shepard and others.
Available from Jacket Records/Original release year: 2004

Vonda Shepard-
From The Sun
"Catching the sun"
The Tracks are: I Know Better, Ecxtatic, From The Sun, Where I Belong, Roll In The Dirt, Another January, Downtown (Dirty Town), Get It Back, The Rocky Water & Finally Home.
Musicians on the From The Sun album: Vonda Shepard and others.
Available from Pan Shot Records/Original release year: 2008

 

Vonda Shepard-
2 Originals
"Chinatown + Live"
The Tracks are: Rainy Days, Chinatown, My Whole World, Lose My Way, Rain Or Shine, Downtown, Gyroscope, In July, The Sunset Marquis, 7 Days, Promises Grey Day, Good To Yourself, The Radical Light, Promising Grey Day, The Wildest Times Of The World, Naivete, Baby Don´t You Break My Heart, Slow (Duett), Every Natural Thing, Sweet Inspiration, You & Me, Maryland, Home Again, Mercy, The Radical Light, You Belong To Me & Home Again.
Musicians on the 2 Originals album: Vonda Shepard and others.
Available from Edel Records/Original release year: 2008

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