Dan P R

DAN P R: Acoustic, Eclectic, and Rarely Electric

Where Mixdorf was definitely thinking "theme" and "collection of songs," he clearly stated that he was not going for a true "album feel." I was. A collection of songs that are primarily acoustic, but unified mainly around a sound which would be conducive to MPR (their morning show in particular). I debated long & hard over whether some songs, a little heavier in accompanying instrumentation (beyond acoustic guitar) should be included. And if so, how many. And where? Album order, even, became a labour of love in this particular endeavor. I also, at least for this collection, wanted to go with mostly songs you guys haven’t heard. With the exception of maybe three songs for any given one of you, I think that’s going to be the case. And so…

Box Elder-LJ Booth: This was an MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) find. A beautiful song; so much so, I thought, that I actually once posted the lyrics on The Oliopolis blog, if anyone recalls. A poignant way of looking at something as disagreeable as an invasive species from the standpoint it is "guilty of nothing but a strong will to live in the light." I love the harmony in this song during the chorus.

Kathy’s Song-Paul Simon: One that a couple of you (or more) may know. Long before the "world music arranger" was a folk-rooted young New York kid who was also a hell of a guitar picker and who had an ability to write lyrics far beyond his years in scope and depth. My favorite lyricist of all time, in fact. This is a somewhat more simple song, word-wise; a little love ditty. But I really enjoy the English imagery (he had just returned from a folk-music exploration jaunt over there when this song was written, I believe). And the music (in a common theme for this collection): beautiful. His guitar playing is so dynamic & expressive; he really speaks through it. I actually considered doing "New York Underground," a song that (in my opinion) is even more expressive in terms of his guitar playing, and with better words, but I ended up feeling that it just didn't have that "gentle MPR sound.," or at least the one I was going for.

Almost-Pale Boy: A rare find; a toss-away from the review folks during my days at Request Magazine. This group, a collection of various instrumentalists put together by a guy from Colorado named Seth Geltman, has created a haunting & (yes) beautiful arrangement that has a complexity more similar to a concerto than to a pop song. I like the voice of the singer, Jeana Dodge. It is unfortunate that this is her only lead vocal on the eponymous album; Geltman does most of the rest of the singing, and his voice is wandering, barely on key, and tortuous to listen to (ala 44's Mark Anderson). I also love the theme of celebration of marriage which, sadly, barely exists in popular music. And certainly, Pale Boy, as obscure as they are, does very little to change that trait.

Never Coming Back Again-Lindsey Buckingham: A song with an oddly low amount of radio air-time, considering it is from one of the most popular albums in pop history: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Another hell of a guitarist, and a just really pretty little song.

Such Great Heights-Iron & Wine: A very interesting artist (a single individual, this Iron & Wine). Bearded in a hermit-sort of way, most of his songs wander like this one, with gentle little guitar strains and a whispery vocal accompaniment. I’ve heard a handful of songs on internet radio, but this one (my favorite), exists only on an EP or as part of the Garden State Soundtrack. Torn between two types of recordings (EPs & Soundtracks) I despise, I held my nose and paid $5.99 for the latter. The song is so great. Some of my favorite lines from here: I’m thinking it’s a sign/that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they’re perfectly aligned. / And I have to speculate/that God himself did make us into corresponding pieces from the clay

Both Sides Now-Judy Collins: Probably the definitive version of a Joni Mitchell song that was recorded by everyone from Count Basie to Leonard Nimoy. The quintessential folk voice and a very 60s-styled harpsichord sound definitely set the scene here; you can just see her trotting out onto stage in a flowered gown during some Time-Life retrospective, or appearing on some disc you get free for re-upping your MPR membership.

Cherry Tree Carol-Marty Haugen & Bonnie-Faber Phillips: What would a Dan Hylton collection be without a worship & praise song? Actually, I recall a Mixdorf blog post where he ruminated that Christmas Songs are "wonderful, wonderful, and again, wonderful." Despite my not seeing eye to eye with the Catholic Church on their Mother Mary fixation, it doesn’t stop my thinking O Holy Night and Ave Maria are wonderful. AndI think this song, which was recorded in a style reminiscent of an arrangement (harmonies & accompanying mandolin) you might hear on a "Prairie Home Companion" performance, is similarly wonderful.

The 4a-The Incredible Moses Leroy: If you like this song and want a collection of others like it, don’t necessarily go out and buy an Incredible Moses Leroy album. Not unlike 44, his songs are written in whatever style suits his fancy. It leads to some very interesting grab-bag of music, but some less than totally fulfilling albums. He’s a kind of nerdy, funky indie guy out of San Diego, and I discovered him (and, indeed, this song) from yet another Request Magazine castoff. And I think this is a really neat Southern California acoustic ditty.

Guenivere-Lucy Kaplansky: Kaplansky is a favorite of the two goofballs on MPRs morning show. I heard this song a couple times-and loved it enough to buy the entire album. This is a sad lament of King Arthur including a number of heartbreaking and lovely lines including Guenivere/All my honor and glory/will just be a story/of the fall of the crown. Beautiful guitar, nice harmonies, and what an odd but endearing sort of annunciation/dialect she has!

One Misty Moisty Morning-Steeleye Span: Speaking of voices & arrangements that scream "60s!"-well, just listen. Hard to hear this song & not picture this band looking like a combination of cast members from the Run Runaway video and an Irish Spring commercial. Well, what they really do look like is not that far off. Watch for the singing (intentionally) one beat behind the rest of the instrumentation for a few bars near the end of the song. What a fun & rollicking song; imagine my joy when, in reading Fellowship of the Ring, I read that they set out "…one misty, moisty morning…."

And that wraps up my volume #2. I eagerly await commentary & discussion!