Bart De Win “The Simple Life” (Double Click Music, 2009)

More proof of how relaxed the Dutch are

In my twenties I thought that it was an immutable law of culture that when I turned thirty I would automatically start to like Van Morrison, dutifully I went out an purchased ‘Moondance’. The problem is/was that the switch in my brain was faulty and Van continues to gather dust whilst I shell out for the Surfer Blood record. Once that switch does engage I’ll be ready for Mr De Win. Until then, even the theme here, ‘The Simple Life’, the bucolic photographs that decorate the sleeve, lyrics like "time is running out", "if you want more out of life, don’t go all the way, you don’t need to have it all", "I know I’ll miss her in the promised land" all conjure up images of winding down and preparing for retirement, I’m not ready for that yet. The title track is so laid back, so gentle that it barely registers a tickle on the ear hair as it goes in.

The music is gentle, the fiddle on ‘The Beauty Within’ is like a curtain of hair falling onto bare skin, this is sepia-tinted music. The cello and Rhodes on ‘Just A Memory’ are like shafts of light and dust motes dancing as Bart recumbent on a bed of straw contemplates bittersweet memories. The oompah tuba on ‘They Told Me’ mutters like a curmudgeonly uncle whilst the banjo and the clarinet scrap like Jack Russell terriers, I’d reach for my straw boater and loud blazer if I had them. ‘Do I Need’ is a hymn to a lover complete with restrained (what else) gospel backing vocals, it quietly makes a forceful case. He follows that with ‘As Long As I Live’ which is gentle rolling country rock tune with dampened steel.

This is gentle music suffused with chamfered emotions that never kicks up a ruckus, at times it sounds like he’s trying not to disturb the neighbours. The lazy relaxed songs generate nostalgia, ‘The Promised Land’ does indeed scare up the ghost of Van Morrison with its jazz clarinet laid over the folky bones of the song. De Win is an accomplished performer; I’m just not ready for him yet.

Date review added:  Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Reviewer:  David Cowling
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  de win, er, takes it all