Charming acoustic to mellow band musicianship, with the welcomed realness of organic harmony and warmth. Guitarist and singer-songwriter Amir Halevi introduces the results of a five-year songwriting journey, with The Long Way’s beautifully ambient title-track – thus presents an alluring, thoughtful and comforting alt-folk listen.
Blending poetry and presence in a timeless, interesting and authentic way, The Long Way moves from instrumental beginnings into a gorgeous cover of Bill Withers’ Grandma’s Hands – a song that transcends the walls of time to connect for its lasting relevance and the lush, emotive and distinct vocals and live-band arrangement from Amir Halevi.
Eight songs in full make up The Long Way, a subtle folk, soul and jazz-fusing album, from a songwriter and musician whose appreciation of nuance, space, purpose, and expression shines with unquestionable brightness.
The album makes equal use of instrumental prowess, English and Hebrew lyrics, and features a noteworthy collection of session musicians and engineers from across the globe. As such, each song is uniquely uplifting, calming, colourful, but also modest, and despite the eclecticism of instrumental choices and tones, even stories, the music is always grounded by Amir’s welcoming vocal fluidity, and the realness of this live performance capture.
Only When The Door Slams is stunning, subtle but striking as it rolls through various folk instruments, including mandolin, violin, cello, guitar, bass, and drums. The vocal rises to fully impassioned at its peak, and that growth elevates the mood of the room, of the listener, as it confidently approaches a sublime peak.
Next we get something like acoustic folk with a twist of funk in its cool groove and guitar pattern. Alee is catchy, snappy and smart – an ode to the trip-hop brightness of a simpler era, think Zero 7, Morcheeba, with that organic musicianship and simplicity of concept resounding and uplifting throughout.
After this, contrast works its magic, for the more atmospheric and hypnotic poignancy of an intimate, quietly contemplative I Wait For the Rain – a personal favourite, with powerful lyrics, and which evolves beautifully towards a colourful and unpredictable jazz-folk instrumental for the final fifth.
Then for genuine impact, The Falling Song is completely alternative, unusual but effective, and gripping in its mildly cinematic meandering through these Hebrew lyrics and melodies that feel somewhat freestyle at first, paving the way towards a gorgeous harmonic resolve.
Packed Corner is a fully-loaded instrumental highlight, a collaborative composition that feels like a humble yet skilful celebration of unity, togetherness and creativity, rising towards another enchanting crescendo. And with Wednesday, we get further creative expression that impresses and connects, the musicians again perfectly intertwined throughout this changing dynamic and dance of the story.
Bringing the album to a close, How to Choose is something of a fifties acoustic folk gem, stripped-back and smart, catchy but also unexpected – an honest and vulnerable delivery, and a really beautiful way to conclude the journey of The Long Way.
This is a brilliant and charming album, real music, non-intrusive but honest, reflective and stacked high with talent but also artistically intentional at every step. Amir Halevi has captured the essence of interesting songwriting and expression, of music and passion, process and story, and the results make for a timelessly captivating, soothing, and imaginative listen.
Find Amir Halevi on Instagram, his Website & YouTube.
