Dispensation of the Ordinary is a new album from Michael Chorney and Dollar General. This is the first Dollar General album from Michael Chorney, a self-taught musician, composer, and arranger who has lived and worked in Vermont for 30 years. As a producer he has worked on Anais Mitchell’s albums Hymns for the Exiled and The Brightness as well as collaborating on her folk opera, Hadestown. His arrangement skills are in high demand which comes as no surprise. There is a delicate finesse to the music on Dispensation of the Ordinary which is heightened by the prominent lap steel and gentle vocal delivery that sets this album adrift. It also has some unexpected moments, ‘Run to my Jesus’ breaks the mould calling to mind Ry Cooder along with some great African undertones:
Whilst not wanting to pin it into any genre there are folk, blues, americana and jazz influences at play, but those familiar with Chorney’s work will recognise his creative handprints. HIs guitar work is exceptional and according to his biography he’s developed a system of manipulating the strings that can alter the tone from that of an African hunter’s harp to a Javanese Gamelan. He prefers to use the straight-ahead sound of his 1933 L-00 Gibson when performing his solo songs.
Dispensation of the Ordinary is available to download from Bandcamp.
Michael will be touring with Anais Mitchell in July which will include opening for Richard Thompson and playing Cambridge Folk Festival.
Tour Dates
JULY
25 – with Anais Mitchell
Bath, England
opening for Richard Thompson
26 – with Anais Mitchell
Buxton, England
opening for Richard Thompson
28 – with Anais Mitchell
Southern Fried Festival
Perth Scotland
29 – with Anais Mitchell
Cambridge Folk Festival
Cambridge England
