Work has been undertaken on a long term album project between myself and fellow collaborator RK. The album will feature songs old and new.
Latest update:
17/04/09
RK coming over for 11am. He is bringing instruments, images and other inspirational materials. A number of tracks are on the verge of completion and will require mixing by other ears. Time to get excited again. Our vision of summer gigs on the back of an itunes release are a little off the mark. I have found out through a colleague (AS) that there is a 6 week turn around at itunes. Also, most importantly, it is not finished yet and I haven't got the neumann mic today.
Tunes in the can:
Antelope Bed-Time Spring Horn Song For Stuart Plastic Love London Buses Correct Change
Needing work:
Tommy Purple Shore Strange Close To Nature/Poostic Dressing Gown
Recordings to take place:
Sax on ABT Accordion on CTN
possible band names:
The Existing Customers Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs The Evening Birds
The DB gig was a winner! The band were a class act - 11 piece. Drums, bass, keys/samples, 3 backing singers, 3 dancers and a percussionist.
In the beginning......
I didn't like the sound at the start. It was tinny and the volume low. This all changed wholesale when the chorus harmonies for 'Strange Overtones' kicked in. It suddenly sounded wonderful. The dancers played theatre games with each other and the mechanics of the show began to emerge. The dancers contribution was not wholly successful throughout but they came into their own during 'Help Me Somebody'. This was enlivened by DB playing the preachers role from the original recording (a sample of a Reverend Paul Morton sermon broadcast) and a quite amazing replication of the percussion track performed live.
The bush of ghosts stuff was a real treat. I NEVER EVER expected to hear tracks from that album live - EVER. 'Moonlight In Glory' sounded totally A1. The key was in replicating the percussion from album with some authenticity. This was considered and executed with precision. All good.
Fancy Dancer
The real booty shaking came at the speed change of 'Crosseyed And Painless'. All the 'Remain In Light' tracks completely kicked. This was a seated gig but these tracks changed all that. Barnstorming versions of 'Life During Wartime' (including the running man dance) 'Take Me To The River' and 'Once In A Lifetime' made sure that everyone got involved.
'Burning Down The House' deserves a special mention for being completely fab.
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today Now, to the new material. This was all performed immaculately and the songs were very strong. DB's writing ability has not dimmed over the years. 'One Fine Day' and 'Home' are both beautiful songs. 'Strange Overtones' is a yardstick for the best 90's DB output. Funky, melodic, strong lyrics, great chorus. There must always be a duffer in the bag and this was 'I Feel My Stuff'. I didn't go for this one on the album and I didn't go for it live. It contained a riff which directly shunted it into 'chugging rocker' territory. Not for me this one, but you can't be too harsh when 'The Great Curve' is on it's way.
I think some of the vocal production on the 'Everything That Happens' album is too EQ'd and 'pop' compressed. This has marred some of the DB output in recent years. A track that springs to mind is 'Miss America' from 'Feelings' (1997). However, I do completely love that tune.
Fancy Chancer
The production process of 'Everything That Happens' is worth noting. Made over the course of 2 years focusing on incomplete demos recorded by BE (some as many as 8 years old). These were then fleshed out with lyrics and melodies by DB. Production was completed via email and eventually 14 tracks were recorded with 11 featuring on the album. It is certainly not 'Bush Of Ghosts 2' and feels more like a DB solo album. A big distinction between previous collaborations is that BE did not want to record any vocals on the record. This certainly characterized previous collaborative tracks such as 'Born Under Punches' and 'I Zimbra'.
'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today' is available at the site below - it is downloadable (at the current USD exchange rate) for £6.03 @ 320kbps
More good news is that 'Music For The Knee Plays' is available to buy with a DVD of stills from the Robert Wilson production 'The Civil Wars'. This accompanies the music.
There is some nice stuff at this 'Bush Of Ghosts' site. It gives you the chance to download 'A Secret Life' or 'Help Me Somebody' in full separated wav. or mp3 glory for you to remix. You can then upload your remix and it is then rated. Do visit!
The idea of this particular aspect of the blog is to gather a list of classic europop tracks/artists.
All terminology is flexible.
Please do not be offended if the definitions of 'classic', 'euro' or 'pop' become increasingly elastic as we continue. This is purely an educational tool. All contributions gratefully received.
Please note above, DB at the exact moment of screaming 'Burning Down The House' wearing a tutu
A moment of clarity. An emotional moment.
After all this is the man who taught me to play the guitar left handed with the strings set for right hand (I saw 'Stop Making Sense' so many times that I naively mirrored the playing)
When I plugged the guitar in, i did not want it to sound rock. Thin, clanky, african, rhythmic. This is the way.
A performance is a performance whether it is dance, music, theatre, video, film.
The setlist as I remember it:
Strange Overtones I Zimbra One Fine Day Help Me Somebody Houses in Motion Home My Big Hands (Fall Through The Cracks) Heaven Moonlight in Glory Life is Long Crosseyed And Painless Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) Once In A Lifetime Life During Wartime I Feel My Stuff (encore) Take Me To The River The Great Curve (encore) Burning Down The House (encore) Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
(If you were there please let me know if some of the order is wrong)
Small Fry
1) Chris Difford from Squeeze shoved my manbag out of his path as we both attempted to gain entry to the venue. 2) There was a bloke there who I thought was Trent Reznor but when he spoke he had a massive west country accent. 3) Alan Lemon was also witnessed fingering a slice of lemon in his soft drink near the bar. 4) Special mention must go to the twat in row J (seat 50?) who got outrageously pissed and then started swearing at everyone around him. £35 a ticket (not cheap!), an amazing show and he won't remember anything in the morning. What a cock.
