Darkness and Disgrace- They Sang All Night Long
By: Heather M 04/05
Russell Churney and Des de Moor need an honest pat on the back. Their stage production turned CD compilation of David Bowie songs, is an intriguing mix of material from as far back as 1967 with “Please Mr. Grave Digger” through the plastic soul period of “Station to Station” to a not so long ago 1995 piece “I Have Not Been to Oxford Town.”
Don’t mistake them for a cover band. Having taken the original lyrics, the duo reinvents the songs in a piano driven, operatic style that brings out secrets and emotions living within the words. There is a feeling that they are a character in a play and the music is the bases of their story line- a tragedy that is both horrific and enchantingly beautiful.
Russell Churney plays the piano as if he were possessed by Mike Garson, while Des de Moor bellows Bowie’s lyrics. Together they embody the idea of alienation, disgrace, and love.
There are one or two tracks that are not done justice with the lack of a stage production’s visual. “Diamond Dogs” and “Boys Keep Swinging” need the mood set, or at least something a little flashier to draw attention to them. Whereas the medley “Be My Wife”/”Always Crashing in the Same Car”/”Be My Wife (Reprise)” stands on its own flowing from longing, to introspection, to fulfillment.
In agreement with David Bowie, you do have to listen as if the songs are completely original material. Don’t listen as a Bowie fan; listen as an eager individual who wants to visit other worlds and be given goosbumps.
All opinions aside, the two gentlemen must be given respect for not shying away from a very complicated task. It is obvious that much thought and creative energy went into Darkness and Disgrace. They have this fan’s blessing to sing all night long.
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"I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me."