Barb Jungr @ Arts Depot
Alejandro De Luna
Since more than five decades, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen´s writing has been the subject of a deep study of bohemian inteligencia. Their work require and exhaustive analysis that leads to endless conclusions and infinite reinterpretations of western wisdom and human behavior. But after decades, never-ending tours, a prolific discography, and a destructive lifestyle; Dylan´s voice has been transformed into a raspy cigarette-like cry that gains meaning but loses clarity. As per Cohen´s, the passing of time has not been so outrageous. Like good whiskeys, the Canadian baritone aged in nothing but the purest voice of ancient wisdom.
When an artist like Barb Jungr – an obsessive studious of admirable story tellers – takes the fearless responsibility of reinterpreting “some of the least compassionate songs by Cohen and the most compassionate by Dylan” with a mesmerizing voice; the hymns gain both clarity and depth. The words and vision of our heroes reborn with magnificence and their comprehension, intellect and importance rises. This is Barb Jungr´s mission. A truly touching duty on stage that becomes an experience of intellectual contemplation.
To see Barb Jungr performance at the Arts Depot – a cultural hub in North Finchley – brought me to a state of inexplicable and intangible nostalgia or what in Portuguese called, Saudade. Just think in the greats: Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Roy Orbison, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Ella Fitzgerald and an infinite etcetera. When a true artist stands in front of an audience at its most vulnerable with nothing but the unpredictable possibilities of the voice, something magical happens. When they are truly exposed to the eyes of the public in a small venue with nothing to offer but their vocal chords, is when popular music becomes more valuable.
She came in good spirits, eloquently humorous, and with a sharp voice that could easily put on shame some of the current (and past) “big shots” of the music industry. Accompanied by Simon Wallace´s delightful piano, Barb Jungr presented her latest work entitled, Hard Rain – a beautiful reinterpretation of Dylan and Cohen´s inteligencia into a northern soul, cabaret-like style.
From exhaustive pieces like “It´s Alright Ma”, and the 47 verses in “Chimes Of Freedom”; to Cohen´s delicate but stinging moments like “Who By Fire”, “The Land Of Plenty”, and a jazzy version of “First We Take Manhattan” – introduced ironically by Barb as a “lovely song about the holocaust”.
From the cabaretesque versions of “Times Have Changed” and “Blind Willie McTell´s”, to Dylan and Cohen´s at their darkest and most acid in “Masters Of War” and “The Future”, respectively. From the timeless political classic of “Blowin´ In The Wind” to the sexual connotations of “One Thousand Kisses Deep”. And from a heartrending version of “Hard Rain” to the exhaustion of being singing these beautiful words of our heroes with nothing but heart, soul and talent.
It takes more than just courage to interpret on stage these words of wisdom with respect. If Barb Jungr´s last album is a round satisfactory piece; to see her performing live is even a superior experience. Beyond the complete understanding into the arts of performance and obsession with the American songbook, Barb´s mesmerizing vocal range and power on stage that leads her into physical exhaustion, is what elevates these classics to higher standards. The expressions, the gestures, and how she authentically feels the music, is an honest revealing experience enriched with a jazzy northern soul-like talent.
A magnificent intimate show.
SETLIST
FIRST SET
It´s Alright Ma (Dylan)
Who By Fire (Cohen)
Times Have Changed (Dylan)
First We Take Manhattan (Cohen)
Chimes Of Freedom (Dylan)
Blind Willie McTell (Dylan)
Everybody Knows (Cohen)
SECOND SET
Blowin´In The Wind (Dylan)
Masters Of War (Dylan)
The Future (Cohen)
Land Of plenty (Cohen)
1000 Kisses Deep (Cohen)
Hard Rain (Dylan)
UNKNOWN
