An Especially Talented Artist
'Freewheel' is the second release from the Duke's acclaimed
'Adventures In Gramophone' album. On it the Duke demonstrates his way with a heartfelt poetic lyric and a singalong chorus.
The sound is pretty much like that of Badly Drawn Boy's smarter, slightly stranger brother. In a time where the world falls at the feet of the likes of David Gray, it's most welcome to find there's someone who deserves plaudits for being alternative to the alternative, i.e. good.
Pete Wilson could have made such a hash of the whole thing, but it's altogether gorgeous. 'Something Might Happen', the second song is an absolutely heart wrenching ballad with nothing but voice and piano.
Soundtrack to 'The Company Of Olympian Bird Gods' employs the Duke's beloved gramophone, it's got a crackly 'birds of Britain type' feel, interspersed with reverential chanting, thumping drums and vague instrumentation. A suitably odd way for the lad to finish off this E.P.
The single is available for download all over the place, so you can go listen for yourself. The special edition 78rpm 10-inch vinyl will include bonus tracks, including 'Something Might Happen' recorded live at Howard Jones' house!