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Michael Denvir : The Crooked Bar
The famed Coconut Teaszer in Hollywood is a venue like no other with its many hidden nooks and crannies. Among the crannies is the well-established Crooked Bar, a venue within a venue that attracts an intimate crowd all its own, regardless of any blaring noise upstairs. Singer/songwriter Michael Denvir took to the stage to put on a show ideal for the atmosphere and intimacy of the place. With acoustic guitar and the occasional kazoo (oh yes) in hand, Denvir told stories and strummed melodies in a self deprecating and unassuming presence that is a dying quality in music these days it seems.
He began with "Dali," a moody number that alternates from a solemn state to a punchy, assertive feeling throughout. "As a Child," on the other hand, is a vulnerable, almost frail tune about a yearning for love and acceptance. It grabs the weakest, most emotional side of a listener, as if we each could speak the very words Denvir unabashedly expresses.
As Denvir fearlessly confronts life, love, abandonment, and hardship, he also plays with abrasive, often sexually explicit lyrics like "Hey There" which he unexpectedly coupled with a kazoo. He managed to play the bright yellow, childlike instrument with a sophistication of a saxophone. No kidding! Now I've heard it all.
Denvir's work is lyrically-driven, and this is most true in what became my favorite song of the night, and probably among the best lyrics written in some time - "America", a song of irony and wit that personifies our lovely nation, describing the love / hate relationship one might have with a lover. "I know that you can't read or write too good, but you sure can show a man a good time / And I'll pine away if you won't be my girl, oh America, would you be mine."
He further alludes to social and political matters: "And I'd like to be blissful in your ignorance too, oblivious to history and to death / Those aging wallflowers can only be jealous, cuz America, you are the best."
Michael's sometimes explosive, other times heartwrenching, always telling songs are on his latest release Blue Plate Special, which includes more variation and dynamics in style and instrumentation. At at a time when we need words to mean something and melodies to sooth the chaos, Denvir puts it all into meaningful perspective.
Album and show dates are at your reach at www.michaeldenvir.com.
Article by: Carol Soudah
Submitted: Early October, 2001
Email: Carol@thelamusicscene.com
Photo's by: Submitted by artist.
Artists website: http://www.michaeldenvir.com
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