A cult favorite among Dory Previn's coterie of fans
David E. Levine | Peekskill , NY USA | 02/07/2002
(5 out of 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."
Always excellent
Warren C. Norwood | 09/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Combining her Grammy-nominated musical talents with her ability to write poetry with peculiar and entertaining psychological twists, Dory Previn rewards her listeners by taking them inside the darkness and humor of her life.When Previn's six albums were first issued in the 1970's they took us on a trip from her nervous breakdown to her recovery as she wrote and sang her way back to health.This is an album not to be missed."
Poetic, sharp, incisive, memorable
Joseph Fremer | Michigan, USA | 02/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"(this review is for the vinyl LP, I haven't yet bought the CD but will soon!)
A badly burned woman bares her soul, and it's strong stuff. There are some really sharp turns of phrase here, backed by music that is sometimes hauntingly beautiful and sometimes childish in its simplicity. (The juxtaposition draws you in, and you're hooked before you realize that she knew what she was doing.)
I recommend this CD over the "UK Years" compilation because I would hate for you to miss the acid wit of "Her Mother's Daughter" with its stark portrayal of (s)motherly love.
This is not an every-day listen. You'll want to put it in your "Moody & Melancholy Music" compilation for those special days."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1