Customer Reviews
Unnecessary. 
2007-05-08
This is an entirely unnecessary release. A compilation album, however well-done, is not the proper venue for Regina's work, even as an introduction. Her albums each have a great degree of individual character, and in this compilation lose so much in context. I know a lot of people are anxious to jump on the Spektor bandwagon right now, but it's worth tracking down the individual albums. Begin to Hope and Soviet Kitsch are of course widely available, and can be found right on this site. The other two do take some work to track down, but can both be found at various independent music stores, and 11:11 can also be easily purchased digitally. I understand why a retrospektive like this might be attractive to a new fan, but it really isn't the best way to meet Regina's earlier work, espescially at this price.
A MUST HAVE 
2007-02-17
This is a collection of songs from Regina Spektor's first 3 USA releases.
Regina's first 2 releases were not available in the U.K. Regina is an
intelligent singer/songwriter/performer. She can make a single note sound
as if you have never heard it before..This CD is a beautiful example of
Regina's immense talent.The quality of sound is also "tops"
p.s. Regina sounds like a classically trained musician(HERSELF)
~Peace
quite a jem 2007-01-04
Regina Spektor has shocked my musical tastes into shape yet again! Ever since I listened to "Us" from Soviet Kitch, I have loved Regina's lyrics and innovative vocals. This CD combines songs from Regina's previous CDs including the hard to find "Songs" and "11:11". Part of the reason I love Mary Ann Meets the Gravediggers is that each song on the CD is so distinct ( you have stories about condemned men being warned not to drown in the bath and sneaky murderesses and a woman with cancer who decides to buy a limo before buying chemotherapy). The selling point of this CD for me was the song, "the Consequence of Sounds" that uses a simple beat as a backdrop for Regina to explore how careless words/media have caused a world of fear and violence. Plus the artwork from this album is reminiscent of Edward Gorey's genious.
UNIQUE!! 
2006-11-06
Ms Spektor is a wonderful artist who knows how to use her voice like a fine instrument. She employs so many facets of singing that I would not know how to "classify" her music. Possibly cabaret? Some light rock? But oh-so-interesting lyrics. This music might be a little harsh for the over-40 crowd. But as a 57-year old grandma, I feel my son has broadened my horizons my introducing me to such wonderful and unique music as Ms Spektor's. I will definitely buy more of her music.
not eclectic, but still profound 2006-08-27
eclectic - Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles. this does not mean "really different sounding" or "quirky" which is actually true of r.s.. regina is extremely talented, and it's not her fault if her listeners don't know basic vocabulary. her voice is the same on every song. her piano is the same on every song, but...she is different from EVERYONE else, so it ellicits records that are listen-worthy, eccentric, and enjoyable. perhaps they mean eccentric...
Nice Introduction to Regina's Curious World 2006-07-23
Mary Ann Meets The Gravediggers And Other Short Stories is a 2-disc CD/DVD (PAL/Region 0) album set comprising a 12-track CD album compiling the highlights of the entire recording-output thus far from one of the most enticingly eclectic & classically confounding artistes to still reside amidst her mid-twenties; drawing together songs from her long out-of-print debut album 11:11, tracks from the follow-up Songs and highlights from her magical breakthrough Soviet Kitsch and including the single 'Us'. Also includes a bonus DVD featuring the 'Survival Guide To Soviet Kitsch' and the music video for 'Us'. *Please note you will need an All Code DVD player to view. Sire. 2006.
A New Listener 2006-06-13
Regina Spektor is confounding, even compared to all the other "nutty females with guitars" as my brother likes to call them. But despite the fact that she uses a piano, it doesn't diminish her utter uniqueness, and yes, strangeness...but strange in the very best of ways. At times soaring, at others a husky mutter, her voice is reminiscent of Emiliana Torrini's (in tone and quality) but Spektor manipulates it in an enthusiastic way that anchors it in a real world of smoky bars and striped stockings. Her songs are almost impossible to follow even after several run-throughs, but that's part of what makes her so great: if you can't sing along, you have to shut up and just listen. Which is all you'll really want to do, anyway.
Artist of the year! 2006-06-03
For me, Regina Spektor is the artist of the year. I bought Soviet Kitsch, her third album but major label debut, early 2005, and I have to say, it was a grower for me, much like Lisa Germano's music was at first listen. But when this compilation CD came out, I had to have it, and based on both this disc and her previous one, I am now in love with Regina's music. Yes, she has a quirky side, which is highlighted on this release, but she has the ability to write grgeous songs too. For all of us that have not been able to obtain copies of 11:11 and Songs, here is a chance to own some of the tracks off those two albums, in a beautiful release PLUS a bonus DVD of the music video for her most polular song, Us. A must have both for fans and curious listeners! Want something fresh? Get Regina!
INCREDIBLE! 2006-05-19
It was AMAZING. My friend had me round to her house the other night and had Regina Spektor on in the background. By the end of the evening I was hooked - she's got a completely beautiful voice that really grows on you. This is the best record I've heard in years, and I can't wait for her next one. She's coming to England on tour soon, so fingers crossed I'll get to see her then...
Meeting the gravediggers 2006-05-15
When Regina Spektor put out the brilliant "Soviet Kitsch," a lot of people hailed it as a great debut. Of course, it was actually her third album, after the equally brilliant "Songs" and "11:11."
The highlights of those albums are collected in "Mary Ann meets the Gravediggers and Other Short Stories," a sort of best-of collection for anyone who can't locate those first two albums. In other words, this best-of collection is a gorgeous collection of vibrantly eccentric songs.
There's no real order to these songs either. "Mary Ann" veers madly from one album to the next, and most of the songs selected are perhaps deliberately her quirkier ones. You won't find the bittersweet pensiveness of "Ode to Divorce" or any of her quieter songs.
Instead "Mary Ann" is dominated by the thumping insults of "Sailor Song," the rapid-fire minimalist anthem "Oedipus," the dancey scatting of "Pavlov's Daughter," and the rambling, bittersweet pop song about a poor little rich boy, with Spektor changing speeds at a second's notice. "You don't love your giiiirlfriend/And you think... that you should... but shethinksthatshe'sfat/Butsheisn'tbutyoudon'tloveheranyway!"
The high points are the rippling beauty of "Us" ("They made a statue of us/and put it on a mountaintop/now tourists come and stare at us...") and the exquisite "Love Affair," which tells of a love affair, "the kind of love affair/which every respectable building must keep as a legend."
Regina Spektor is often compared to Tori Amos and Fiona Apple, mainly because she plays piano, and they can't find anyone else she is even remotely comparable to. Instead, Spektor plays her music as if piano and strings have been discovered for the very first time, and she is pioneering a new, brave musical style.
Her use of piano and strings is pretty unconventional (and I mean that in the best way), with jagged cello and sharp piano notes, along with a few tambourines, drums and thumping feets. It's part anti-folk, part coffeehouse blues, part oddball pop, and Spektor does it with comfortable flair.
And she can do the coolest things with her edgy voice. "Chemo Limo" is almost entirely blurted out in rapid-fire songs ("IcanaffordchemolikeIcanaffordalimo..."), but can switch to a sweet soaring trill in songs like "Us," where she ripples all over the phrase "we're living in a den of thieves."
For a look back on the now-flourishing career of this insanely talented singer/musician, "Mary Ann Meets the Gravediggers" can't be beat. A treasure.
