Listen: Bob Moses - "I Ain't Gonna Be The First To Cry" (Bobby Bland cover)

02 June 2014, 09:45 | Written by Jim Fletcher

(Tracks)

(Bob Moses)

Canadian electronic duo Bob Moses release their new EP, First To Cry this summer, featuring a downtempo take on Bobby Bland’s soul/blues heart-breaker, “I Ain’t Gonna Be The First To Cry”.

Bob Moses replace the warm strings of the original with gently undulating electronica. The hushed vocal is almost the antithesis of Bland’s Gospel-infused pipes but somehow it retains both the blues and the soul of the original. Guitar pulls at the heartstrings, yearning against a shroud of electronics, and the storytelling is just as emotional and raw even in its understated way. That it has a earthy, almost downtrodden realty at its core, or soul, shows how powerful a rendition it is. This is the blues, 2014 style.

First To Cry is released on 16 June via Domino Records. “I Ain’t Gonna Be The First To Cry” is available to download on iTunes pre-order, A limited edition 12” consisting of the lead single and b-side ‘Grace’ 12” is out on 28 July.