Pete Molinari: A Virtual Landscape (Shock)

 |   |  <1 min read

Pete Molinari: It Came Out of the Wilderness
Pete Molinari: A Virtual Landscape (Shock)

English singer-songwriter Molinari's debut Walking off the Map was a beguiling, blatantly Dylanesque affair which found great favour at Elsewhere -- but this time out he's like a pub quiz: which song am I referencing now?
Usually it's Dylan but he lifts shamelessly from Sam Cooke, Hank Williams, the Stones' in 65, young Donovan . . .
And you gotta love a nasal line like this: "they all held me down, said I wouldn't get far, but look what I made out of my head, ma". Dylanologists could probably date that to the month in 64.
Recorded at Toe Rag in London this has a terrific live feel and there is no doubt the man has a great voice (somewhere between young Bob and Lonnie Donegan, at other times sensitive but strong on the ballads).
But the over-riding feeling is of an album that is far too referenced -- lyrically, melodically and stylistically -- in other people's scrapbooks.
So although songs like One Stolen Moment and There She Still Remains are genuine gems they are surrounded by others which make you want to shout, "Yes! I know this one, it's . . ."

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

RECOMMENDED RECORD: Fuemana: New Urban Polynesian (Urban Pacifica/digital outlets)

RECOMMENDED RECORD: Fuemana: New Urban Polynesian (Urban Pacifica/digital outlets)

From time to time Elsewhere will single out a recent release we recommend on vinyl, like this album released for the first time on vinyl but now appears with an insert essay/overview by Martin... > Read more

Pitch Black: Third Light (Dubmission/digital outlets)

Pitch Black: Third Light (Dubmission/digital outlets)

Most often known for their deep and profound electro-dub -- which often evokes the darkness of the New Zealand bush and power of the ocean-battered coastline -- here on their sixth album Pitch... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

GUEST WRITER MADELINE BOCARO hears classic Bowie celebrated just days before his death

GUEST WRITER MADELINE BOCARO hears classic Bowie celebrated just days before his death

In a recent interview, Tony Visconti told of David Bowie’s Spiders from Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey's relentless enthusiasm and desire to bring Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the... > Read more

Elsewhere Art . . . Richard X Bennett

Elsewhere Art . . . Richard X Bennett

This image may be confusing for many, given New York pianist/composer Richard X Bennett hasn't crossed into too many Elsewhere and otherwise lives . . . . despite my best efforts.... > Read more