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http://www.desires.com/2.0b3/Music/Reviews/Docs/pretend_nf.html
On the inside of this disc there are six photos. Each one is a band member with their name and instrument. That's it. On the back it lists the songs. The spare purity of the cover design is reflected in the simple beauty of the music inside. This is an acoustic record that includes Pretenders hits and lesser known tunes plus a version of Ray Davies' I Go To Sleep.
I think this CD is a GIANT. Chrissie Hynde's vocal performances on this record are transcendental. To me, there is nothing more moving than the human voice. Some of my more instrument-oriented friends argue for the angst filled sounds of Coltrane's horn or a Beethoven symphony, but I'll take an opera or the sound of a wailing gospel choir to send shivers down my spine and make me wonder if maybe god does exist. To me, it takes out the middle man, comes directly from the soul without translation. It is not too often that a vocal performance like this comes along. Ms. Hynde is in complete command of her powers and her band is completely in tune with her.
Chrissie Hynde has lived the ultimate rock success story. With only one live performance under her belt, she took her money saved from waitressing, left Ohio and moved to London to be a rocker. Once there, she got work at Punk impresario Malcom McLaren's boutique. She tried to get Mick Jones in her band but he decided to join The Clash instead. She was fired as guitar player from what would later be The Damned. She traveled back and forth between France and Akron and finally ended up in London in '76. After playing guitar and singing backup with the likes of Nick Lowe and others, she formed The Pretenders.
All this and more is brought to the sounds she produces on this beautiful record. There are many examples, but let's talk about the one that hurts to listen to. Hymn To Her is just voice and harmonium(as much as you can get): the tired resoluteness in her voice, the sound of a woman carrying on; the meaning of the song directly reflected in the timbre of her voice;. the pain and persistence, pressing you somewhere you don't want to go but are impelled toward; a sound that hurts and lifts at the same time. Yeah, that's dramatic but damn it, I mean it!
The vibrato, the vibrato, the vibrato. It's the most amazing vibrato in rock music. How does she do it? The vibrations are much slower than the average vibrato and it is her trademark. Listen to Kid and behold its power, puny, human.
What you might also notice listening to this clip is the incredible Duke Quartet. I generally don't like strings in pop music but there are exceptions and this record is one of them. The strings here are mean, not cloying and sweet. They are used as a weapon not a lullabye. The rest of the band is equally amazing, though only one original Pretender remains, Martin Chambers on drums and vocals.
This is one that I wish I could sample the whole record for you. There is not one bad cut here. If this record was new material, it would shake the world. Ah, but alas, it's not. It's only brilliant new interpretations of great old songs. This record really highlights Chrissie Hynde's songwriting ability. With the distortion pedal off the multitude of ills that often appear are nowhere to be found. If you like The Pretenders you will LOVE this record. If you never liked The Pretenders you might like this record and if you've never heard of The Pretenders you should definitely hear this record. I'll leave you with a few choice cuts.
Private Lives, Brass In Pocket, Back in the Chain Gang (were available to download)
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