专辑简介

MELLOTRONIC BELGIAN BLUES is a lush, haunting collection of songs where every track sets out to tell a story in its own quirky manner. "Each tale suggested its own musical language, in a pop-meets-the-experimentation-of-prog-rock way," says Awde, "so I reckon the best label for the album has to be 'prop pop'. But it's also Antifolk. Anyway, there's definitely Mellotron on every track." The album's title takes its inspiration from the classic rock keyboard and from Belgium, perfectly fused in 'An English Werewolf in Woluwe' – an unexpected lament for a suburb in Brussels – and 'Freddy and Marvin (Oostende Healing)', reflecting soul legend Marvin Gaye's 18-month sojourn in the North Sea port of Oostende under the wing of local club owner Freddy Cousaert. Awde sings and plays all the instruments on most tracks – in uptempo 'Headless in Camden' and 'Neil Young' he spectacularly throws everything into the mix – but he pulls in special guests for the cover songs. Singer-songwriter Dean Friedman (of 'Lucky Stars' fame) and Camel drummer Andy Ward contribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin's 'Rocket Man', while Hannah Friedman takes lead vocals for Leon Gieco's classic protest song 'Cinco Siglos Igual'. "The covers just seem to fit the mood," says Awde. "I mean, who could have guessed that walking on the beaches of Knokke in winter would inspire a dreamy instrumental version of Laura Nyro's 'Lazy Susan'? Only in Belgium..."