Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Singer-Songwriter | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 163 / 9-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 7/10 | Label: Yep Roc | Autor: BSV
Two legends meet here: Robyn Hitchcock, who has been a fixture on the singer-songwriter/lo-fi/psychededelic scene for 20 albums, was able to win none other than Joe Boyd for "The Man Upstairs", who produced Pink Floyd's first single "Arnold Layne" in 1967, later Nick Drake and The Incredible String Band, among others. Now the US-American Boyd set very restrictive conditions for the British Hitchcock: Recording live in the studio and a maximum of six days each for takes and mixing. Half of the songs should consist of cover versions of not too famous songs of other musicians. Hitchcock agreed enthusiastically and concentrated on songwriting and vocals. The ten pieces are spartan, mostly only an acoustic guitar sounds, here and there a piano, some cello or a harmonica is added. No drums. The grooves of the previous album are completely missing. Intimacy, restraint, and melancholy were capitalized here. The covers of The Doors and Roxy Music are reduced to the absolute minimum.
Top Track: Trouble In Your Blood
