Since a fortnight from today this album has found itself a comfortable place in my library. After winning high praise with the release of his second full length ‘On Promenade’, the Texan songwriter buckled down to one of his side-projects, namely the scoring of 9 texts excerpt from the Psalms of King David!
“This will be a collection of mellow, melancholy, but beatiful tunes, ones that I feel have a universal power to move people…because there’s just something about the Psalms. They’re unflinching in their honesty and ache. “
Obviously The Shawl won’t be to everybody’s liking. So, as to give you an objective point of view, reminding you of my atheism: I stand in awe as well as I am perplexed ! Sure I’m a fan of M. Burr and I have been secretly watching the release of this collection since the publication of it on his MySpace and I already granted you with an announcing post including the single – I Am Weary With My Sighing.
So why embark on a collection seemingly biblical, even mystical, when one doesn’t believe in God? That’s where the shoe pinches of course. But how resist composer talents at one time anchored in the purest folk, at other times sliding into gospel. That’s the dilemma!
Believers, rise now and buy yourself this magnificent collection without the slightest hesitation. If you’re addicted to the music of Doug Burr and you find it impossible to separate music from lyrics, allow yourself to be tempted out of curiosity. As for me, this album is already on my cdbaby wishlist; an offertory for some of my best catholic friends.
Artist : Doug Burr
Label : Velvet Blue Music
Where to buy : Velvet Blue Music / cdbaby.com / itunes
