| That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice
over, Lest you should think he never could recapture The first fine careless rapture William
Wordsworth |
Not unlike the wise thrush, Ross Ryan has been re-writing, re-arranging and re-recording the same songs for nearly two years now as he carefully crafts his now legendary album.
A lesser artist would have moved on. Turned his back on his very creations and like the Philistines of yore, written and recorded other songs that would likewise be abandoned. Verily - careless rapture.
There is a timelessness to Ross's music and because you rarely get to hear any of it - your listening pleasure never wanes. It is against this backdrop, that we approach a generous, subtle yet powerful gift from the master - WARNING DEMOS !! - the second Official Bootleg cassette.
Sure there are songs here. Many of them in tune. Sure it comes in a paper bag with a badge and a booklet and a floppy disk. But be aware and not distracted - that is not why we are here. As Joseph Roux once said "Science is for those who learn - poetry for those who know".
In Ross's case, with his perpetual album in mind and with our own curiosity as to when said CD will be completed - God knows.
1998