Bobby Long - A Winter Tale

It might be tempting to simply chalk up British singer/songwriter Bobby Long's fortuitous rise to much-buzzed stature to his friendship with Twilight actor (and fellow musician) Robert Pattinson and the inclusion of his co-written song "Let Me Sign" in one of Pattinson's scenes. But as you dig deeper and listen to songs from his February 1 ATO debut A Winter Tale it's clear that Long's success will ultimately rest on his ability to write compelling songs and artfully deliver them with honesty, self-deprecating wit and flashes of brilliance. It didn't take long before we found ourselves wanting to put the bio away, forget the industry hype and simply connect one-to-one with the 24-year-old troubadour's poignant and finely crafted work.

Twilight may have gotten Long a few million page views and listens on line, but it was his globetrotting 150+ sleep-deprived shows that ultimately made his indelible mark with a growing legion of fans and anxious A+R suits. The output of a born story teller with a style that is both humble and humorous, Long's clutch of memorable songs are expanded nicely on an album that's self-described as "raw and honest...with a kind of wintry harshness on it". Producer Liam Watson (White Stripes) keeps things stark and raw as the musicians recorded live in the studio, warts and all, Long's fingerpicked guitar lines and up-all-night rasp meshed with double bass, pedal steel and keyboards. At times reminiscent of classic 60's folk, A Winter Tale also has an earthy Big Pink feel of Dylan and The Band, rustic soul and sorrow plumbed deep and wide. Watch the excellent video EPK after the jump. Daytrotter live performance here.

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Bobby Long -"Penance Fire Blues" (from A Winter Tale)

Bobby Long - "The Bounty of Mary Jane" (original version, from A Winter Tale)