Cover album this week is Iron and Wine's Around The Well double-cd. This is a mostly solo acoustic low-fi collection of b-sides, outtakes and rarities. This is twinned with Neil Young's second solo album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Not an obvious twinning perhaps save for the fact that I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Americana and Country Black Deer Festival this weekend set in Eridge Park, Kent.
1. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside
2. Wiley - Snakes and Ladders
3. Sigur Ros - Takk
4. Quantic - Apricot Morning
5. Iron and Wine - Around The Well cd 2
6. Neil Young - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young wasn't there but was represented by perhaps my highlight of the weekend which was a storming cover of his Down By The River by fellow Canadian barroom classic rockers The Sheepdogs - the singing from these Lynyrd Skynyrd copyists wasn't quite Neil's but the duelling guitar sound was spot on. Down By The River is one of two classic extended guitar whigouts on this tremendous album, the other being Cowgirl In The Sand; on both, Crazy Horse set down a rolling bass and drum groove allowing Young's guitar to soar. Never one for screaming fret burning he is a master of a cool languorous style that allows the music to breath and take flight in unexpected directions.
It has been said that Young only has one guitar solo, but it sure is a good one.
I'd just hot footed from the main stage headliner, the actual Sam Beam, aka Iron and Wine. Beam had sauntered on stage with an acoustic guitar and an actual glass of red wine which he placed on a stool beside him. Right on time he looked out upon, it has to be said, a smaller than expected crowd which didn't actually grow even with the ending of the excellent Eric Bibb's set on a nearby alternative stage. In fact I think the crowd diminished further as the set progressed - the crowd perhaps confused with the sound and chilled by the breeze after a day of glorious sunshine in this barmy English summer.
Beam started with the popular Trapeze Swinger from the featured record here with lovely percussive playing and his breathy vocals. But I'd probably say this was the highlight of a disappointing set beset with some sound issues, namely the bass drowning out the rest of the band (how often does this happen? - can the sound man not hear the same as me or is the sound set up for a new festival just not what you'd expect) including a cellist who was completely inaudible despite performing energetically. Even Beam turned to say he couldn't hear himself. "Nor can we," someone heckled (could have been me :) )
The songs were culled from his career but were all played with a more jazzy fusion arrangement which I understand has impressed on his latest album but didn't work well on a big stage and actually rendered some favourites unrecognisable.
When I first saw him during the excellent Kiss Each Other Clean tour he had gone full band electric which sounded fantastic to my newcomer's ears, although I did read subsequently some of his fans at the time didn't like his new direction and wanted to hear the introverted acoustic troubadour.
Recent album reviews have been very positive for his latest Beast Epic album heralding a return to the softer acoustic sound albeit with some experimental jazz overtones. I don't doubt the new record is excellent but as I say maybe it is music more suited to the living room, or the Festival Hall, than a festival main stage headlining slot.
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| Iron and Wine - the new band |