The latest releases reviewed
FELICE BROTHERS
Felice Brothers
Loose
***
The Felice Brothers (Ian, Simone and James plus
non-family bass player Christmas) hail from upstate New York, about
20 miles from Woodstock. This is not merely a matter of
geographical detail, as a certain Mr Bob Dylan and the Band hung
out there about 40 years ago and recorded some seminal work. The
Felice Brothers, on this, their official first album, echo that
rustic Americana sound, even to the point that James's vocals
mirror Dylan's sandpaper serenades and his mysterious themes -
though he wasn't the first to do that and he won't be the last. And
yet, faux or no, there is something captivating and endearing about
their deliberately shambolic lo-fi arrangements and their
blood-filled stories teeming with colour, character and fantastic
theatre. You can make up your own mind at the Sugar Club in Dublin
on May 28th when they play there.
www.thefelicebrothers.com
JOE BREEN
Download tracks:
Frankie's Gun, Take This Bread, Saint Stephen's End
FRANKIE LANE
Me to You
Cois Tine
****
Last time around, Irish roots veteran Frankie Lane
took it upon himself to breath life into the fast-fading genre of
cowboy music. He may not have resurrected it, but the album was a
great pleasure nonetheless. The same is true of this more eclectic
collection of ballads, bluegrass, waltzes and jigs. The common
theme this time seems to be that these simply are songs that Lane
loves. It comes across. And his affection obviously was contagious
because the playing, particularly that of key collaborator, Paul
Kelly, is full of soft brilliance. Many of the songs are
traditional, mostly American, but the segueing of
Wedding Dressinto the hackneyed Scottish ballad
Marie's Weddingshows what can be achieved with talent and
an open mind. And Lane has both in abundance.
www.frankielane.com
JOE BREEN
Download tracks:
Wedding Dress/Marie's Wedding, The Ballad of Sally Ann,
Sandra's Waltz
