Passing for Human Review

Hello Poetry Lovers

Today we have a review of a Poetry Album. A unique collection Passing for Human by Wendy Young and Ivan Riches. Spoken word and wonderful music. I’ve given it a hot review below.

Sadly, this collection can’t fit in the Poetry Basket. I tried to get the LP from Woolworths but….so I’ve got with it and downloaded this marvellous creation. You have to understand how modern this is for me! What a wonderful conception! Has this been invented long?!

Please read on…

Passing for Human

Produced by miserywithoomph and IR

Passing for Human is an innovative move, taking us on an enigmatic journey of poetry and music.  Please don’t think this is a concept album, as there are many versatile and variations of forms and messages involved.  Intense, profound and at times, hilarious, this is spoken word by Wendy Young and a skilled soundtrack by Ivan Riches. 

Opening up to the very visual short piece Right to Bite, and a wistful picture of the ocean, followed by the cleverly structured My Voice, read by Young against the background of a tense drum beat.  This enhances a piece that already has a great pace.  Unravelling against  haunting keyboards by Riches.

Little Grape is heavier, and disturbing with an underlying synthesiser and sensitive drumbeat to Young’s surreal and enticing words that have amazingly detailed descriptions of the body.

By Hecklectic (I wanna wanna be), not a Spice Girls cover but a  personal favourite –  wistful, covetous and versatile wit in a unique voice. The poet wants to be these things but they’re never desired in a maudlin way.   Only delivered with razored envy, irony and wry humour. By this point, we are absorbed in the poet’s versatile range.

If I could Fly, with Riches’s studied musical backing, the poet’s singing voice is soothing and natural. The accompanist only enhances, never dominates.  Intelligently thought out. 

Between Two Rooms, another favourite, should be grim but on the contrary, it is a poignant and revealing picture of the beautiful Welsh actress Rachel Roberts. A vibrant account of Roberts’ descent into alcoholism and self-destruction.  This is told  with dialogue and tenderness. A disturbing insight to this talented yet troubled star who took her own life. The poet takes us smoothly to this screen icon’s troubled depths.  Deep words that stay with the listener, and never an uncomfortable experience.   Great guitar playing by Willem Riches. 

Entrailpreneur creeps up on the listener with graphic detail, and Riches’ sensitive keyboard tones blend smoothly into Sorry Waltz. Full of uncomfortable true words on the term Sorry.  One we have all heard and will keep hearing. 

Picture House, a real established favourite of mine, has a classy built up introduction.  The words so vivid, transporting us back to those tawdry yet revered fleapits while hosting Ursula Andress on the big screen.  Cinema staples of Poppets, fag smoke, ashtrays and velvet seats wash over us.  Most poignant of all is Mum sitting there in that golden era of a double bill. Young makes us see our own mothers in that exact same place.   

 I do a job I hate (after Billy Childish) is delightfully jagged. Sharp rhyming with Riches’ haunting accompaniment.  The sad tones are sharp and clear with the effective music excelling the profoundness of the words, with a precise fadeout.  After the reflective title track, Obit is extraordinarily read and fitting for a great and abrupt ending. 

Cover photography and field recording on Obit by miserywithoomph.  Field recording on By Hecklectic and Venus in a time of COVID by Simon Purins. 

 Released by Bandcamp and issued on 1st November, treat yourselves to a new stylus and leave the arm off the record player so you can listen to this enigmatic album repeatedly. Really worth doing. Click the link below  https://miserywithoomph.bandcamp.com/album/passing-for-human

Thanks for tuning in and reading, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon…..