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Elly Roberts reviews
V2
- Cat.no: VVR1037602
- Released: May 2006
- Rating: 10/10
Blonde Norwegian troubadour Ane Brun,now a resident in Sweden, released her second solo album on May 15.
Defining her own niche and style takes some doing these days. Shes pulledit off magnificently on Temporary Dive. Vocally reminiscent of a lilting Bjork(sometimes Roisin Murphy (Moloko) / Joni Mitchell), and a Nick Drake musicalstable mate, she stands alone in the ubiquitous world of female singer-songwriters.
Whats shes created is an understated masterpiece that will probably neverreach the status it deserves in the UK. Its already gone platinum in her homeland,where shes a bit of a super-star. Sublime, sophisticated and serene, itsnot going to have instant appeal.
That said, its more than worth a listen, another listen, and another listen.Such is the magnetic and beguiling effect she has: when youre hooked theresno letting go. Admittedly, on first listen it doesnt register. When it doesits quite mesmerising.
A combination of intimate acoustic musings by Brun and sweeping strings byvarious musicians, make potent musical statements in themselves. Otherinstruments at various stages include, lap steel, mandolin, horns, cello,glockenspiel, piano, dobro, tuba, down to the simple triangle.
Then theres the achingly beautiful singing delicate, articulate, profoundand deeply connecting with the listener, despite its melancholic leanings.The vulnerability is there for all to hear, almost at S.O.S. pitch Temporary Dive best shows.
Occasionally sparse Where Friend Rhymes With End and This Voice,it meanders into haunting expansive soundscapes found on Balloon Ranger,all kept at a sufficiently minimalist level to be effective, particularlyhighlighted on My Lover Will Go. Laid In Earth is a crack at adaptinga Purcell aria from Dido and Aeneas. An up-beat surprise is Song No.6where shes accompanied by stellar singer Ron Sexsmith, which raises the moodtemporarily. Either way it all works with clinical precision.
By definition, its an album about lost love and the fallout.
Verdict: Not to be missed at any cost – a real gem!
Weblink:Ane Brun.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. To Let Myself Go
2. Rubber & Soul
3. Balloon Ranger
4. My Love Will Go
5. Temporary Dive
6. Humming One Of Your Songs
7. Are They Saying Goodbye
8. On Off
9. Song No.6 (featuring Ron Sexsmith)
10. This Voice
11. Where Friend Rhymes With End
12. The Fight Song
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.