Bobby Long: A Winter Tale (A Giveaway)

A Winter Tale

From Team Mom: We are turning up the musical heat this winter with the much anticipated debut album from British singer-songwriter-guitarist, Bobby Long, called A Winter Tale (ATO Records).
His name might sound a wee bit familiar as he is best-known as the songwriter behind the song "Let Me Sign" which was sung by Robert Pattinson and featured in the movie Twilight. Bobby creates memorable songs with hauntingly poetic lyrics, and rest assured he will be creating quite the buzz in 2011.

Bobby Long believes in making up for lost time. The young British singer-songwriter didn’t even start to play guitar until he was 17, but from then on he’s been creating memorable songs inhabited by hauntingly poetic lyrics. With model good looks and an engaging smile, he is a formidable presence even before he begins to sing. And when he does sing, it's with a heart-wrenching soulfulness that crushes any chance for apathy. It's a voice that simply demands attention. Now armed with an enviable repertoire of material and a legion of loyal fans cultivated through non-stop touring, this force of nature will be impossible to ignore.


But recognition has actually been hard-won. Born in Wigan near Manchester in Northern England, Bobby Long grew up from age four in a small town in Wessex, "Thomas Hardy country." At 18, he moved to London to attend university, graduating with a degree in sound and media for film. He quickly established himself on the local open mic circuit, finding his voice and beginning to develop songs characterized by catchy melodies paired with elusive, imaginative lyrics. In London he met a circle of fellow musicians, among them Marcus Foster, with whom he wrote a song called “Let Me Sign,” and soon-to-be megastar Robert Pattinson, who would sing it in the 2008 blockbuster film Twilight.


He cites Bob Dylan's career, as well as his songwriting, as a major influence. He also lists Richie Havens, Neil Young, Tim Buckley and Leonard Cohen as influences, along with more modern troubadours like Elliott Smith and Conor Oberst. A love of American roots music shines through his songs, evident on the album in the intense minor-key folk of "Penance Fire Blues," the two-step groove of "Two Years Old" and the old-timey waltz "Being a Mockingbird" with its banjo and pedal steel accents. And Bobby is no dilettante when it comes to traditional sounds-his university thesis was on the social impact of American folk music.


"In London there's a big folk scene happening," he says. "It resonates with a lot of young people now.” Yet lurking in his background is a broader musical sensibility that encompasses the guitar-tinged blues of Mississippi John Hurt, the knowing song craft of the Beatles and the Kinks, and even flashes of the angry heat of another band he admires greatly, Black Sabbath.


Above all, it's the honesty and aching vulnerability in his intricate songs (not to mention his shy demeanor on stage) that endears Long to burgeoning audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. “He breathes a labyrinth of imagery that is so fragile and heartrending"it’s impossible to let go” declared one writer, and as another one put it, "If music is truly a form of self-expression, then British singer-songwriter Bobby Long apparently cannot tell a lie."


A WINTER TALE merges band power with acoustic rawness, featuring Nona Hendryx (LaBelle) on backing vocals on "Penance Fire Blues," B. J. Cole (Elton John, Sting) on pedal steel, Icelandic singer Lay Low on several tracks, and other top-drawer musicians. And by way of continued extensive touring in North America, he will be bringing A WINTER TALE and what has been called his "tapestry of tales" to the ever-growing audiences seduced by his compelling voice, musicianship and charm.

My take:  If I had to pick one word to describe Bobby Long's voice, it would be "hypnotic."  Listening to his CD, I found myself lost in the music - time truly flew past.  And I've been trying desperately to think of how to describe his style of music to you but little success - he doesn't really have a contemporary on the musical scene that I can think of.  He's independent to be sure, but with the deep-felt lyrical style of a 60's folk singer (in my humble opinion).  Really, Bobby Long cannot be button-holed into any one particular genre and that's all right with me.  His accompanying singer Nona Hendryx provides perfect harmony for these lovely tunes - I swear "Who Have You Been Loving" has been stuck in my head for days now and that's really OK!  I really enjoyed the whole CD and look forward to hearing more from Bobby Long as his career progresses.  Thanks Team Mom! (Read below on how YOU can win your own copy of this amazing CD).

* * * * *

“The covered surface hugs the board but keeps in the sky,

A childhood glimpse that keeps you warm but hangs you to dry,

The shameful dream the shameful face that pulls on your heart,

Those brittle winds will keep the dawn from you at the start,

So bring me choirs to ease me on my way,

Bring me screams of organs for the day,

Bring me choirs to brighten all the gales,

Bring me screams of organs and the wails,

Of winter tales.”

--from “A Winter Tale” by Bobby Long

Song Listing:

1. A Winter Tale 5:58
2. Who Have You Been Loving 4:03
3. The Bounty Of Mary Jane 4:48
4. In The Frost 3:50
5. Sick Man Blues 4:02
6. Penance Fire Blues 3:53
7. A Passing Tale 3:46
8. Dead And Done 4:02
9. Being A Mockingbird 3:38
10. Two Years Old 5:41
11. A Stranger Song 5:55

BONUS:  Bobby Long on Tour!

The giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a copy of A Winter Tale by Bobby Long (US Address only please)! 

To win: Leave a comment here telling me the name of  one of the cities Bobby is going to be playing in on his current tour (could be near you or not).  Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Thursday, March 3, 2011.  Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• "Like" Bobby Long on Facebook and leave a comment on his wall that includes "CPA Mom sent me" (leave a comment here with your FB name-first name only is fine)
• Follow Bobby Long on Twitter (leave a comment here with your twitter id)
• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment here)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
• Follow me on Blogger (see top left sidebar) 

This post was written for Team Mom and ATO Records who provided the CD for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary CD.

I am proud to be a member of Team Mom's "Music Moms" who sponsored this review.