Julie Felix,
Scarborough Fair
(Castle Pie, 2007)


Purists, beware: this is Julie Felix in the 21st century. Music lovers, be aware: this is Julie Felix better than ever.

Felix was the female voice of the protest song in the 1960s. Although born in America, her greatest influence was in the UK and Europe, where her interpretation of the Bob Dylan canon brought a melodious voice to the startling lyric.

True to form, this CD contains a number of Dylan songs, but they are part of a brilliant eclectic mix that cannot fail to satisfy older listeners as well as those only discovering the magic of Julie Felix.

She opens with a fascinating song from her own pen, "Soldier from the Sixties," which reminds us of the social conscience of that era compared to the more commercial aspect of much of the modern day.

The new interpretations of songs like "Blowing in the Wind" with electric guitar -- a bit like Dylan's "Isle of Wight" -- are wonderful, but it is "Mister Tambourine Man" that makes the album for me. This rendition has the feel of a full-on live performance that will only fail to move a dead heart. Felix also breathes new life into the great title track -- a song that has graced many a ballad singer's lips.

Other new interpretations are Don McLean's "Vincent" and the Beatles "Let It Be." "Amazing Grace" continues to amaze and "San Francisco" will bring you back to those hot summer days of "peace and love" as few other songs can.

If ever a singer deserved a revival of interest it is Julie Felix, and as I write this review the post has just brought me a double CD featuring her first three LP releases -- more on this soon.




Rambles.NET
review by
Nicky Rossiter

23 May 2009


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