MERCURY REV

Bobbie Gentry’s The Delta Sweete Revisited ★★★★

Bobbie Gentry’s Overshadowed by Ode To Billie Joe, the worldwide smash single that preceded it, groundbreaking 1968 debut album, possibly the first cosmic country opera, is often forgotten. Full marks then to Mercury Rev for corralling an impressive array of female vocalists – including Norah Jones and Beth Orton – to revive the daring and dreamy swamp masterpiece. Sermon, with Margo Price’s elegant lead, is a standout in a quality, deeply-felt labour of love.