Richard Swift is the most talented musician you don’t love. You don’t love him in the same way that you don’t love your soul mate the day before you meet them. You don’t love him because you don’t know him. It is only partially your fault. I guess the other portion can be explained by original sin or some sort of conspiracy. There is no legitimate reason that he isn’t a top tier, world touring artist. Swift is Randy Newman with soul; Paul Newman with a ‘fro.
His voice is ridiculously versatile; able to convincingly nail a deep r&b baritone as well as a sweet falsetto. He is a mine of pop gems dug with pure musicianship. His previous three albums and handful of 7″ singles spotlight his ability to capture an era. The late 30s with ‘The Novelist’ and 70s AM pop radio with most everything else.
This Prince cover was recorded anonymously in 2002 for a spirituals album by the hibernating Orange County collective, Cush. Here Swift channels Bob Dylan and gives this ego-driven messianic song a bit of sincerity and heart. It features the best and only typewriter solo I have ever heard surrounded by organ swells, harmonica, and stark acoustic guitar.
Give this a listen. Dig into his catalog. Declare your love.
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Posted 08 Nov 2007 at 8:27 pm ¶Post a Comment