Funny, I got that CD back in 96 when it came out and I don't remember it being that way. I also don't recall it being HDCD though. I'll have to take another listen as I have not listened to it lately because I "overplayed" it back then. Her new CD is fantastic! I saw her perform in 97'. Pretty amazing as she was just a kid back then. She also had a very shy stage demeanor. She shuffled on the stage all frumpy and awkward. This is at Jazz Alley here in Seattle which is a pretty intimate dinner venue. She was noticeably not comfortable being on stage, but as soon as she started singing all that discomfort disappeared and this amazing deep molasses voice came out of this tiny awkward teenager...just amazing. She aced the first set and left to a standing ovation. We stayed for the second set which was a whole other story. Apparently she'd been fighting off a cold. In spite of a valiant effort to continue she had to cut the set short after three songs because her voice kept braking. I'd still go see her sing in a heartbeat. Perhaps her stage presence has changed since she was that young. It wouldn't really matter to me since, judging by her new CD, the voice is just as wonderful!
Marco
Marco