From one of the finest vocals albums of 2021 so far Denise Donatelli's Burt Bacharach-themed album Whistling in the Dark is let's be frank a dream particularly if you come to Bacharach from a jazz angle even when heavily tinted in this instance Americana, Friselliana-wards, 'Mexican Divorce' lyrics are by Bob ('In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning') Hilliard. Produced by the great Larry Klein who also plays bass guitar and keys on the album it's a song of deep ambivalence, loneliness and no little regret that The Drifters sunnily, Bacharach himself, The Chosen Few, who did a reggae version, and Ry Cooder, most magically, among others have covered. Donatelli injects a certain not-at-all naive sang froid that is perfect for the feel of the song when sometimes it is interpreted weirdly enough in an overly jolly way (because the lyrics certainly are not about a barrel of fun), the Anthony Wilson guitar line stays with you long into the night. Donatelli inhabits the song and the best bit, actually the darkest and most meaningful, is how the singer treats the lines in an interplay with Wilson ''As I came home to this empty house last night/Looked at all the windows, and I couldn't find one light.''
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