CHRISSIE HYNDE
Standing In The Doorway [BMG]
ookended with songs from Christian-era Dylan albums ‘Saved’ and ‘Shot Of Love’, Hynde’s perfectly formed and ravishingly personalised gift for Bob’s 80th birthday avoids the obvious. Those two songs, and both serve as invocations of the Lord as the great redeemer. No need to push the metaphor, either. Throughout, Hynde’s naturally sensual vocal is guided by the sure touch of a no-slouch writer herself. The diamond heart of Bob’s song for Elvis, is located, Blind Willie McTell and the title track get the connoisseur touch, and the spry lustful longing is bottled one more time, for the ages. Lockdown-enforced recording with producer Tchad Blake and her judicious Pretenders musical accomplice James Walbourne add to the focus and intimacy. The nine-song eulogy assumes the quality of a heady elixir. All told, a very wonderful thing.
