Monday, January 26, 2009

Bridget St. John - Songs for the Gentle Man (1971)


1. Day Away 2. City Crazy 3. Early Morning Song 4. Back to Stay 5. Seagull-Sunday 6. If You'd Been There 7. Songs For the Laird of Connaught Hall Pt. 2 8. Making Losing Better 9. Lady & The Gentle Man 10. Downderry Daze 11. Pebble & The Man 12. It Seems Very Strange
This record simultaneously haunts and soothes, a well-crafted piece of baroque psychedelic folk whose understatedness perhaps accounts for why Bridget has been unjustly ignored by the so-called "freak folk" revival of recent years. Her voice draws comparisons to Nico, except that Bridget sings on pitch, and unfortunately that comparison may have kept some from taking in her singular and unique vision. All of Bridget's records are wonderful but this one is a particular favorite of mine. I can, and have, written all manner of overwrought graduate-student prose about this album but I will hold my tongue and let it speak for itself. Often people stumble across her work via her associations with John Peel, Kevin Ayers, or Nick Drake. I found out about her through the personal recommendation of a friend many years ago, and for me that's the best way to discover something as special as this record is to me. If you like it, buy the reissue from Cherry Red. Bridget is still around, living in NYC, and occasionally performing.
Songs for the Gentle Man (1971) {Dandelion/Cherry Red} baixar aqui!