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Do you yearn for the past?

Johnny Flynn is not merely a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; he is also an actor, poet and artist. 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' is Johnny's second release on the Young & Lost Club label, and was released in June 2007; following up his debut 7" 'The Epic Tale Of Tom & Sue'. Like 'The Epic Tale Of Tom & Sue', 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' is comprised of two tracks, neither of which with the same name as the release's title. According to his press release, Johnny Flynn has spent recent months performing as a lead in 'Twelfth Night' and 'The Taming Of The Shrew' during the day and performing gigs in the evening. Over the summer however he will be playing several folk festivals and hopefully getting a new record deal.

'Eyeless In Holloway' sticks firmly with the old-fashioned theme hinted at by the titles of this release and its songs; it is dominated by relentless percussion that brings to mind Victorian circus travellers and distant country markets. Johnny's voice is strong without being domineering and he is accompanied by a wide array of string instruments who are played as if they are wishing they could leave the modern world behind.

Second song, 'Oh, To Eat An Apple' appears to be the stronger track of the pair as far as emotional depth and musical crafting are concerned. Its pace is slower, which to some may render it less catchy, but there is an undercurrent of melancholy that will instant appeal to those who like their music shot through with sadness. Again, Johnny's voice compliments the music perfectly and old-fashioned instruments dominate to the extent that it's possible to imagine oneself back several hundred years.

Johnny Flynn's music may not appeal to everybody, particuarly those who like their music fast and immediate. But if you yearn for the past, enjoy melancholia and/or bands such as And Also The Trees and The Decemberists, than 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' may well being a smile to your face.