Wednesday, February 23, 2005
I feel guilty for being myself
Marek “Isn’t It Great to Fall In Love”
Marek is probably the leading light of Austrian backalley Americana. Not that he sounds anything like anybody on Bloodshot or Lost Mountain, but there’s definitely a strong element of traditional western folk music within his album. On Its These Magic Moments That I Live For, Christoph Marek comes off as an ersatz Leonard Cohen struggling against his own limitations. I have no idea if, on “Isn’t It Great to Fall in Love”, Marek is shooting for total earthy honesty, or if this is some sort of parody of the confessional singer-songwriter type. Either way, it touches me on a personal level. I’m a little surprised I hadn’t written this song yet, myself, to be honest.
Tir na nOg “Free Ride”
Irish folk-rock band Tir na nOg released three albums on Chrysalis between 1971 and 1973. Strong in the Sun, their last, started off with this excellent cover of Nick Drake’s ”Free Ride”. I haven’t heard their first two records, but on Strong in the Sun Tir na nOg resembles a slightly more rocking and less overtly hippified version of the Incredible String Band.
Marek “Isn’t It Great to Fall In Love”
Marek is probably the leading light of Austrian backalley Americana. Not that he sounds anything like anybody on Bloodshot or Lost Mountain, but there’s definitely a strong element of traditional western folk music within his album. On Its These Magic Moments That I Live For, Christoph Marek comes off as an ersatz Leonard Cohen struggling against his own limitations. I have no idea if, on “Isn’t It Great to Fall in Love”, Marek is shooting for total earthy honesty, or if this is some sort of parody of the confessional singer-songwriter type. Either way, it touches me on a personal level. I’m a little surprised I hadn’t written this song yet, myself, to be honest.
Tir na nOg “Free Ride”
Irish folk-rock band Tir na nOg released three albums on Chrysalis between 1971 and 1973. Strong in the Sun, their last, started off with this excellent cover of Nick Drake’s ”Free Ride”. I haven’t heard their first two records, but on Strong in the Sun Tir na nOg resembles a slightly more rocking and less overtly hippified version of the Incredible String Band.
