The album Awareness is drenched in Dylan – both the music and lyrics. One can feel that for Roy, Bob Dylan is an optimal reference point. At the same time, the artist makes his own impact on these melodious and neatly arranged songs.
This is Roy Einar Drengâs second vinyl album. The Norwegian songwriter
has for years been fascinated with Dylan. Not only has Ray started âMy
Dylan, your Dylanâ project, but has also many times participated in
Dylan Festival BeitostĂžlen or other events dedicated to this American
bard. Listening to Awareness, one can definitely tell that Roy knows
the song of this Nobel prize laureate like the back of his hand and
easily refers to fragments of Dylanâs lyrics.
Those who appreciate âBlood on the Tracksâ and the violin in âDesireâ
will surely love this album. The sounds on âAwarenessâ bring to my
mind these very two classics from the mid 70s. Here you will find the
power of acoustic guitars, section playing confidently and a
suggestive atmosphere built with violin and harmonica (Friends
actually do make a difference) â and Royâs voice warning from the
disaster that the world is speeding into (even in „Iron Clouds” one
can hear him singing „Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall”). There are plenty of
dangers: the polluted environment, divided communities, and more and
more radical politics.
All this convention fits in perfectly with the great topos that Dylan
believes in. After all, he himself started with expressing respect
towards e.g. Woody Guthrie, and in his later records he has many times
mentioned his masters and friends, referred to them, quoted them and
reminisced them⊠And at the same time, he warns and sounds the alarm
like a preacher.
But âAwarenessâ is by far not a reproductive album. Itâs a collection
of 12 amazing songs filled with melancholy and critical view on the
contemporary world. The record opens with the strong âMean Old
Twisterâ, in âFish Farm Nightmareâ you can feel a breeze of nostalgy
and beautiful melody, and an ear used to Dylanâs music will catch echo
of the song âHe Was a Friend of Mineâ in the ballade âHannahâ.
The cover seems to supplement the music perfectly â a bit ominous,
gloomy but at the same time intriguing in its rawness. But the record
also contains some more vivid themes. Just listen to the rhythmic âThe
Riversongâ, Clapton style âFree Lunchâ or âTake the trainâ arranged in
the rhythm of a speeding train. On the other hand „The Black Wind” has
a more folk touch to it and it takes us to some God forsaken town of
the Bible Belt.
As the publisher says in liner notes: The melodies on this album are a
swampy, ragged mix and you can „taste” the blues, the latino, the dead
mans waltz. Even the small village church is present.
The album has been released in a stylish gatefold, produced and mixed
in Vestfold Lydstudio. The warm sound emphasizes the albumâs character
giving it a selective tone with a wide range of acoustic sounds. I can
honestly recommend this album to all who not only enjoy Dylan music,
but also look for good melodies, elegant sound and insightful lyrics.
In Poland the record is distributed by ChodzÄ SĆuchy Records shop..
Soon we will invite you for an interview with Roy Einar Dreng.