Folk singer, songwriter, and all around lyrical poet Bobby Long has a brand new shiny white vinyl record out... and it’s good. Really, really good. It’s titled Stranger Songs and you might want to order yours today. Only 1,000 were pressed and they’re selling like little round musical hot cakes. Side A features a newly revamped version of Long’s popular ‘Who Have You Been Loving’ complete with electric guitar, robust melody and excellent backing vocals.
The number two song on the record is ‘Penance Fire Blues’, and this studio version is a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll, with a whole lot of excellent finger picking rhythms going on.
Side A closes out with ‘Hide Yours, I’ll Hide Mine’ which greets the listener with a beautifully strummed acoustic guitar and Long alone on vocals. If you’ve seen him perform live, then you already know how good he can be solo. It’s stunning in it’s simplicity, which makes it quite intricate and anything but simple.
Flip the record over and Side B opens with his popular track ‘Left To Lie’ which is only one example of his exemplary lyric writing abilities. The song starts with the poignant verse:
“I’m afraid to die, I’m nearly old.
I’m almost young, or so I’m told.”
The record draws to a close with the title track ‘A Stranger Song’, another gem as far as lyrics are concerned. In this song, Long really expresses his story writing ability - reminiscent of Alexandre Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo and any of Albert Camus’ novels.
His first full length studio album ‘A Winter Tale’ is slated for a February 1, 2011 release. If this record is any indication of what fans can expect from the singer/songwriter, then they will not be disappointed come February.
Be sure to keep up with Bobby on Twitter and check out his official website here.
*UPDATE* You can get your copy by going to one of Long's shows or by visiting this website for further information!
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