Listen to Where the River Divide, a new song from Indian / British singer-songwriter Dan Raza. The song features on his second album simply titled ‘Two’. It’s time that Raza is recognized as one of the UK’s most exciting and authentic new homegrown independent singer-songwriters. Two is an outstanding new album of deeply written songs that every real music lover should lend their ears to.
https://soundcloud.com/danraza-1/07-where-the-rivers-divide/s-iesJy
Dan’s songs have caught the attention of many including Neil Young who, in the wake of the Iraq war, featured the stirring ‘Every Little Dog’ on his ‘Living With War’ website. Like Young, Dan Raza creates music that whilst rooted in immediate genres transcends them by being able to touch on universal feelings and concepts. His songs have a strong sense of place and an enigmatic, wistful, restless quality at their heart.
The release of Dan Raza’s critically acclaimed debut album in 2012, alongside dates with Joan Armatrading, Badly Drawn Boy, Cara Dillon, Bellowhead, Mary Gauthier, Slaid Cleaves and more, cemented his place in the UK folk and roots scene and led BBC documentary maker, James Ashley Smith, to create ‘Can’t Go Back’, a short feature film about Raza’s sacrifices and struggles for his musical dreams (as featured on Folk Radio UK here).
Two features some great legendary talents backing Raza including BJ Cole (Dolly Parton, Bert Jansch), Frank Mead (Albert King, Paul McCartney), and members of Slim Chance, Geraint Watkins (Van Morrison, Nick Lowe), Steve Simpson (Eric Bibb, Ronnie Lane) and Charlie Hart (Ian Dury, Eric Clapton). The result is a finely produced album that is warm and immediate, yet has a depth and textural range that rewards repeat listening.
The tracks are full of stories influenced by and reflecting all aspects of Raza’s travelling and personal life and the production oozes with quality.
‘Two’ is a special collection of songs which have been honed and lovingly created and should be cherished at home on nights alone or with friends.