Bob Dylan - The Music Which Inspired Girl from the North Country, review

Brilliant Range

This is a quick mention of a fine compilation of Dylan songs, made by Conor McPherson and which follow their playing and reinterpretation in the play by McPherson Girl from the North Country. I knew nothing of the play when I heard this selection, and while I am familiar with many of the tracks, I am not with all, and also not being one of the biggest followers of Dylan I have nonetheless been impressed with their mix and juxtapositions. The fact that so many of the songs sound fresh is testament to how little I really know of Dylan’s massive output, apart from the obvious ‘hits’, but also just how deep his brilliance is across the range presented here.

Dry the River - Hooves of Doubt EP, review

Leaving the Lineage

Announcing you are splitting up as a band and releasing at the same time an EP that illustrates the beauty of your music could be seen as the quintessence of romantic tragedy in a la broche de l'amant for fans. I have yet to fully discover the other gorgeous harmonies to their music - having listened only tentatively - but on the basis of this EP it does remind me of why I should hear more, no matter how cruel their parting for established paramours. This EP represents the apotheosis of a contemporary West Coast sound espoused by the likes of Fleet Foxes and the long lineage to Dry the River and Peter Liddle's soaring falsetto. You can hear two tracks streamed here.