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Elly Roberts reviews
XL Recordings
- September 2007
- Rating: 10/10+
To get the ambience for his latest weird and wonderful offering, handsome Devendra Banhart, co-producer Noah Georgeson and engineer Beauraymond Fletcher shacked up in a rustic hillside home in the longstanding bohemian enclave of Topanga north of Los Angeles.
The vista was that of the nearest canyon, hence the Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.
On this his fifth release, Banhart continues to lead the psych-folk brigade. Muchof his influenes come from time spent with his grandmother in Venezuela and gypsysin Europe, so theres another eclectic mix, combined with his own beguiling creationswhich are mischevious, playful and outstanding.
When you look at the tracklisting, you can pretty much get the gist of things.Since the beginning, hes been on the edge of mainstream, and certainly despitethe critical acclaim, similar to Rufus Wainwright until recently, Banhart maynever be anything other than a cult artist like Marc Bolan in early T.Rex.Bolan effectively sold out to hit the big time, though I doubt if Banhart willdo that. On occassions theres the Bolan vocal quiver, which immediately drawscomparisons with the Glam-Rock god.
Theres a lot of fantasy stuff going on too, which is absolutely delightful,polarised by more earthly emotions, for a change. There is a reason for that,in a bit.
Showing his bi-lingual skills, Latino flavoured Samba Vexillographicais a loaded jam targetted at the feet, with charango (south American mandolin)courtesy Black Crowes Chris Robinson, whereas Cristobal eases us in gently withsublime harp sways and guitar picks along with his haunting voice.
So Long Old Bean shows he still got originality in a sometimes dullmusical world. Smokey… also points to relationship break up with BiancaCasady of CocoRosie as referenced on I Remember, a subtle progression, anddare I say it, hints of maturity.
We dont want or need too much maturity though, because the charm comes fromsome of his child-like fantasies.
As if to remind him of his newly found solo status, he snaps out of his remorseand has some fun with freewheeling Carmenista and funked up Lover, again asign of a gradual progression. Of all the tracks, this would be a single thatmight just crack him in the mainstream in the UK. One of the major highlights,as an audio experience anyway, is the Spanish sung Rosa, which may be anotherpointer at ex Rosie.
I Remember is a direct reference, turning out to be the most tender piecehes ever written “I remember a faraway laugh, a sweet caresse… endlessdidnt last.” Here we actually here the voice with out the hippy warble.
Seahorse, a stirring grungy rocker would please Neil Young and his fansno end, (Banharts new mentor is Youngs manager) so there may be some groominggoing on now.
Playing it right down the middle, the magestic Freely, is one monster ofa ballad.
Its a gas. Amazing man.
Weblinks:devendrabanhart.com /xlrecordings.com/devendrabanhart
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Cristobal
2. So Long Old Bean
3. Samba Vexillographica
4. Sea Horse
5. Bad Girl
6. Sea Side
7. My Shabop Shalom Baby
8. Tonada Yanomaminaria
9. Rosa
10. Saved
11. Lover
12. Carmensita
13. The Other Woman
14. Freely
15. I Remember
16. My Dearest Friend
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.