Story of a Dreamer.

Afternoon Strumpets, I've finally found out that it wasn't my computer that was cattle trucked, it is in fact the blogsite. There's something obviously in the settings, which I can't for the life of me find, which does not allow for paragraphs, so it reads like a constant stream. If anyone has an idea on how to fix this then please let me know. I have been sent a CD by the chaps at Nouvelle Musique by one of their bands, James Auger and the Natives, and asked to write a review. The CD is called "Story of a Dreamer" and is a collection of songs written by James and Robert Auger (I'm guessing they are related.) Opening track "Intro" is an interesting instrumental piece, with a chant reverberating throughout which sets the tone nicely for what follows. "Look up at the sky" has a melody which you are sure must have been lifted from something else, as it immediately feels both familiar and fresh. It hasn't, at least as far as I know. At one stage it reprises the chant from "Intro", which I was again sure I had heard before. It was only on second listening that I realised that I had. This is a similar story throughout the Album. The more upbeat "Looking for a home but I'm coming up short" is a nice change in tempo, and allows a little commentary at the end, which had the added bonus of convincing me I was experiencing some form of psychosis. Stand out track "The days fade quicker than you think" has a vocal and violin arrangement which would make the hardest diamond soften to putty. And it's here that I have my gripe about the CD. It's the packaging. No information regarding any of the musicians involved, and handwritten titles, which although aesthetically pleasing, realistically had me convinced that one of the tracks was called "Smugster's Hymen"! It's actually called "Smugster's Hymn", which explains a lot. "Driving home" is as anthemic as this collection gets with the best chorus on any of the songs. It passes the old grey whistle test, or rather the middle aged really dark brown with flecks of white whistle test "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" I have to admit left me a bit cold upon the first couple of hearings, but it's a grower and is now officially on my jogging playlist. Once you've heard it you will be able to guess the pace I jog at. "Story of a Dreamer, part 1" is the most rounded musically and the longest song on the album. It even has a lovely little bit of banjo throughout. I'd love to tell you who is responsible for the plucking but alas, oh well I've already had that whinge. It has a coda which I absolutely love, and still am not tired of hearing. "The Devils Daughter" is reminiscent of mid sixties Kinks with it's electric guitar, and has one of the best vocals I've heard in a while. Final track "Sinner in rapture" is a plea to be returned home, and leaves you feeling upbeat and content having enjoyed the journey with James and whoever else is in the band (Yeah I know) following a lovely choral outro. I would highly recommend this CD to any of you Strumpets. Melodies, rhythms and lyrics which would sit in any music lovers collection with the comfort of a blanket bought on the day you were born. You can get it here https://www.facebook.com/jamesandthenatives/info, and upon looking at the page I have been given the JOY of gaining a list of the band!!!! James Robert Francis Auger - Main Vox / Guitars / Organ / Harmonica Ian Dixon - Bass / Backing Vox / Percussion Jordan Swain - Drums / Percussion / Harmonica / Backing Vox Mina-Kate Jackson - Strings / Violin Justin Shirran - Guitars / EFX / Backing Vox No news about the banjo player. Bloody typical. Till the next one, learn something new, Mark.