| This Week's Highlights |
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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Now this is an odd one for you. Modern bohemian gypsies? Critically acclaimed French-American folk roots five-pack Moriarty have gradually been building a cult following in the UK supporting Son Of Dave, Jane Birkin and The Do. The French based multi-national outfit, strangely consisting of multiple Moriarty’s - Rosemary Moriarty singer and assorted instruments, Arthur Moriarty guitars and piano, Zim Moriarty double bass and acoustic guitar, Thomas Moriarty harmonicas, kazoo and Jew’s harp – their melodic take on folk, blues, and snippets of cabaret are fronted by the dulcet tones of songbird Rosemary. Gee Whiz… opens with a delightful tale of yearning set to simple acoustic picks, harmonica, shuffling brushes and upright bass. Things take a decidedly quirky about -turn on the stripped back Lovelinesse, a whacky tongue-in-cheek wisp based on a 1930s romp.
It’s more straightforward fare on the plucky blues-tinged Private Lily, which tells of a bored 19 year old who’s encouraged to sign-up for the army, whereas Motel digs deep into the front-porch blues template of sizzling harmonica shrieks and acoustic stomping. Another unique genre, country jazz, unfolds on the divine tale of love, security and yearning – Cottonflower. The pace is laidback with a chunky bass, and dust-bowl harmonica driving background allowing Rosemary to do some fab vocal gymnastics. Bluegrass-tinged White Man’s Ballad is hoedown territory propelled by edgy fiddle and long-forgotten Jew’s harp, while Tagone –Ura gives a nod the jazz greats with Rosemary adapting her tones to the gorgeous stripped back ballad. Ending a beguiling assortment, they revert back to the playfulness of the 1930s influenced jazz scene – Jaywalker (Song For Beryl) in two protracted sections. Why? I’ll never know, but that’s Moriarty for you! The verdict – Bring on some more.
Weblink: myspace.com/moriartylands (includes audio samples from album)
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
