Many if not all of us have hit a rough patch (most likely not just once) during our lifetimes, and I would venture a guess that somewhere during that time, music played a role in the healing process. Music is after all, one of the best elixirs known to us. It has the incredible power to move us; to heal us emotionally and psychologically, and of course entertain us, too. This EP is a collection of tracks representing tracks from The Blue Nile and The Paper Kites and lovingly curated by Bert Heinen, the artist behind the Dutch band Like Wendy is a testament to that. For those of you unfamiliar with Like Wendy, please see my review of their album, The Rest Of Wendy.
I wanted to know more about the reason(s) Bert recorded it, so I reached out to him and he explained to me that their music got him through a rather long, arduous and rough period in his life, so in gratitude he took on a sampling of songs from both bands and added his take on them. In fact, Bert Heinen also released around the same time, The Paper Kites EP, a three track homage.
Big Rhythm is a five-track EP highlighting both band’s deep catalogue. Now, this will probably come as a surprise to the readers, but I had not heard of either group until this review. But that allowed me to get acquainted with them and their music, for which, I am suitably impressed. In a strange twist of fate, an album I bought years ago, Robbie Robertson’s self titled first solo album (1987) featured the playing of some of the members of The Blue Nile. It is a small world after all.
On The Ride Home has this lonely wistful sound to it and doesn’t stray too far from the original. Deep, bluesy guitar laps with accompanying piano all played by Heinen, who’s pleading vulnerable vocal reminded me of the late Leonard Cohen. On the rhythmic acoustic guitar-driven track, She Saw The World, we have an emotional full-of-regrets torch song gorgeously sung by Heineken and takes the original to another level:
I know now
Everything stops here
You don’t love me
I am a street that you live on
People walking towards me
Yeah a girl on a bus stop
Reading postcards from nowhere
It feels like a movie
She saw the world and she wanted it all
What can I tell you?
She saw the world and she wanted it all
Arms is another acoustic gem which sifts through the air with its softness and vibrancy. Very much in the folkier and evocative vein of, say of Emmylou Harris, Livingston Taylor, John Gorka, or Mary Chapin Carpenter, the track is simplistic lyrically yet so moving and powerful. Tinseltown In The Rain captures Hollywood, with its glitz and glamour, and unfulfilled expectations and promises, but it’s the stand alone dulcet-sounding piano that pulsates this moody and dark track, exquisitely sung by Heinen:
All men and women
Here we are
Caught up in this big rhythm
One day this love will all blow over
Time for leaving the parade
Is there a place in this city
A place to always feel this way?
Dearest, the final track on this EP, is another folk/singer songwriter tune full of love, remembrances, and full of dreamy lyricism. A very laid back and chill song. I was mesmerized by the original recording. Heinen’s adds a little more grit to it and it’s sumptuous.
These tracks clearly show Heinen’s maturity and versatility as a singer, and his take on these tracks are just sublime. Although offered under the Like Wendy name, the entire production, playing and recording of the EP is all Bert Heinen. His behind the scenes work in producing, engineering and mastering are flawless here and I cannot recommend this EP enough. The music reflected on this release provided the power to uplift, transcend and heal. Brilliantly realized, engaging, intimate and intelligent, I found this quite a relaxing and most enjoyable release.
In other good news, Heinen has revamped his Bandcamp Page and repackaged some of his older albums, as well as his recordings under the monikers, Moonshot, Pope and the Cardinals, Zuyderzeese Stormen, and Jeremy.
Big Rhythm is Bert Heinen branching out and flexing his musical muscles. His wondrous vocals, and his ability to move out of his comfort zone seamlessly is well displayed here. This EP is also a loving tribute to music and artists that soothed and carried him during a rough time. His acoustic guitar and vocal prowess are impassioned, vibrant, and emotive and fans of Like Wendy will love it. I for one am hoping for a new Like Wendy album in the very near future!
Unfortunately, at this moment in time there does not appear to be any audio/video for any of the songs reviewed for this EP.
TRACK LISTING
01. On The Train Ride Home (3:42)
02. She Saw The World (3:29)
03. Arms (2:56)
04. Tinseltown In The Rain (3:59)
05. Dearest (2:44)
Total Time – 16:50
MUSICIANS
Bert Heinen – All Instruments, Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: The Netherlands
Date of Release: 20th April 2025
LINKS
Like Wendy – Bandcamp
