That’s The Gospel Truth

Benjy Ferree “Fear”

Benjy Ferree’s “Fear” doesn’t sound fearful, but then again, it’s not sung from the first person, so it probably shouldn’t. The song is lush, gentle, gorgeous and comforting, but ultimately it’s about how once things start going wrong, misfortune can seem inevitable and omnipresent. The lyrics are all black comedy, but there’s no lack of empathy here — Ferree’s voice conveys a great warmth and sympathy, particularly when the fearful events he sings about get silly and weird. Interestingly, Ferree’s protagonist is someone rather specific. Come Back To The Five And Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee, the record from which this selection is taken, is a song cycle about the tragic life of Bobby Driscoll, the one-time Disney child star who was rejected by Hollywood in his early teens, and ended up dying alone, unknown, and penniless in Manhattan at the age of 31.

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