Doris

My introduction to Doris came counrtesy of the Anorak Forum's mixchange earlier in the year. Her song 'Did You Give The World Some Love Today, Baby' stood out because, as well as being totally ace, it's bloody HUGE. Big powerful production, complete with a bigger, more powerful voice, it's the kind of track that's about as easy to ignore as a Celine Dion belter - only good. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled to find a copy of her sole album Did You Give The World Some Love Today Baby on a trip to Crouch End's Flashback this weekend. Coming out of Sweden in 1970 it comes across to me as a fascinating outsider's perspective on all forms of American pop from the previous twenty years.

I took it home just expecting a solid collection of soul pop, I had Dusty in Memphis in mind; but was totally shocked to hear the variation and musical range on offer. 'Don't' is fairly similar to the title track and the kind of thing I was expecting, but then other songs like 'You Never Come Closer' and a cover of The Band's 'Whispering Pine' are something else entirely. The fireworks are help back and sound like the work of a completely different artist. The male vocals on 'Whispering Pine' may sound a bit constipated, but that doesn't stop it from being a perfectly tasteful bit of folk pop. But then how do I explain dark, unsettling 'You Never Come Closer'? I guess I'll just let you have a listen for yourself.

You Never Come Closer

and here are some others for good measure

Whispering Pine

Don't

In what may be viewed as being an attempt to fully transport myself to Sweden year 1970, Lee Hazlewood's Cowboy in Sweden is currently stuck on my record player too. And before you ask Lee Hazlewood didn't play any part in recording the Doris album, even if it does share the same mix of lounge, country, psychedelia and pop. If I was fancy enough to be able to upload vinyl onto my computer I could post of mp3 of 'Hey Cowboy', but instead you'll have to make do with a video of Jens Lekman singing the Swedish lullaby and Cowboy In Sweden closer 'Vem Kan Segla'. When I saw Jens in early 2006 he was playing this accompanied by an old recording the song being sung by a school choir Jens claimed to be a member of, therefore making it a duet with himself. Only I'm not too sure I believe him.