BROTHER

Just prior to releasing his second album "Up close and personal", Tom De Wit put out this very limited edition (150 copies) single. The A-side is a non-album song called "Brother" while track 2 is a reworking of a song which appeared on his first album. De Wit does just about everything himself here, accompanied only by guitarist Michiel van der Werff.

"Brother" is in De Wit's own words "about a person very dear to Tom who he had to say goodbye to due to unfair circumstances". In this case, "goodbye" does not necessarily mean death, but what De Wit saw as the unjustifiable deportation of someone back to a country they were fleeing from. The lyrics are clearly very personal, and written from the heart. They perhaps display the tender years of De Wit in their rawness, but in some ways that can be quite endearing.

Musically, the song is largely in keeping with the type of product to be found on De Wit's first two albums. If anything, despite the heavy nature of the lyrics, the mood is actually slightly lighter. It should be said that the track has little potential as a hit single, but given the limited production run we can safely assume that was not the intention anyway.

The other track here, "Happy day (2006 version)" sees the track of that name from his first album being updated with new lyrics and a different arrangement. Once again, the lyrics are personal and reflective, revealing a young man who is casting off his youth and discovering the true complexities of life. Melodically, the song retains the lighter feel of "Brother".

In all, this perhaps more of a rites of passage for De Wit than a genuine single release. Interesting but not essential.