Dory Previn - Mythical Kings & Iguanas (Originals)
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Dory PrevinEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Import
Published: 2002-02-11
CD Release Date: 2002-02-11
Music Label: Emi/Emi Plus
Soundtracks:
- Mythical Kings And Iguanas
- Yada Yada La Scala
- Lady With The Braid
- Her Mothers Daughter
- Angels And Devils The Following Day
- Mary C Brown And The Hollywood Sign
- Lemon Haired Ladies
- Stone For Bessie Smith
- Game
- Going Home (Mythical Kings And Iguanas)
Free Music Notes for Mythical Kings & Iguanas (Originals)
Free Music Review: A cult favorite among Dory Previn's coterie of fans
Hit: 5 Stars
In the early 1970s (probably 1971) I first heard a song by Dory Previn entitled "Mr. Whisper" played by D.J. Allison Steele on WNEW fm in New York City. I called the station and Allison Steele, who was known as the "Nightbird" (she had a late night show) answered. No, it was not a producer or engineer, but Allison herself who picked up the phone. Anyway, I asked her who that was I had just heard and she said "Dory Previn." I immediately went out and bought two of her albums. I was and still am mesmorized by the Mythical Kings album. Incidentally "Mr. Whisper," a great song, is not on this album and as much as I like that song, I nontheless believe that this album is her best.Dory's lyrics can be piercing. The song "Lady With the Braid" gives me chills when her gentle, almost cozy invitation to spend the night suddenly and stunningly implores "Do you care to stay til sunrise? It's completely your decision. It's just the night cuts through me like a knife, like a knife. Do you care to stay a while and save my life?" Let me tell you: those lyrics cut through ME like a knife!!! Similarly the tragic song of an old maid, "Her Mother's Daughter," becomes so intense, I almost can't listen at times (and I'm a happily married guy who, presumably, should not be able to relate to the song).
The title song is about keeping firmly grounded in reality and not seeking mystical escapes. Rather than seek mythical kings, we should look to the earth where iguanas live. The final song on the cd reprises the song "Mythical Kings" and then moves on to a repetitive refrain from "Lady With the Braid." The repetitive, chorus like lyrics, "going home is such a ride, going home is such a ride. Isn't going home a low and lonely ride," make for an almost sing along around the campfire ambience.
When I was in college, a good three decades ago, I turned my friends on to Dory and they too were fascinated by her lyrics. Dory had previously suffered a nervous breakdown and was twice hospitalized. Furthermore, she suffered the breakup of her marriage to Andre Previn who cheated on her in an affair with Mia Farrow (who became pregnant). Some of her dark, and ironic lyrics are quite likely reflective of her experiences. But, she also has uplifting songs too, e.g, "Yada Yada Scala." She never sold many albums, her best seller was perhaps 50,000 copies, but those of us in this group of 50,000 were true blue, hard core fans of this great musical and lyrical genius. Mythical Kings is truly a work that will never grow old.
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