State of the Union

Rent EP

Thinking about classic duos Bluesman Brook Williams and Boo Hewerdine wouldn’t be the first to come to mind but ....

The opening track on this EP is the old Pet Shop Boys classic and it has a close and really emotional feel to it as the simply picked guitar underpins Hewerdines vocals – the moments of harmony on the chorus really put the song across brilliantly.

‘King Of California’ is more in keeping with the original but again you are offered the spare picking of Williams and folky vocals from Hewerdine. American folk doesn’t get much better than this number and they two do a fine version of it.
‘Breeze Blocks’ has a real North Mississippi tone to it and, once again, standout guitar playing from Mr Williams while ‘Boats To Build’ has more focus on the vocals and the song is a strong one.

As a duo these two show that they really can put their own impress on classic numbers and they are fresh and clean – top grade Americana and a great example of their album’s joys.