babybird

[Cassiel]

First album for five years out September 11th. Great title: Between My Ears There's Nothing But Music. Song off it at http://www.myspace.com/officialbabybird

Forget You're Gorgeous, some of the home recorded stuff he's done is among the most beautiful, desperately sad music I've ever heard. Dead in Love and Losing My Hair on the Myspace site give a flavour.

[Urpal]

Thanks for reminding me of Babybird, Cassiel. And there's no forgetting or regretting You're Gorgeous either .

I liked 'em for a while, but then lost contact with what he/they were doing some time back. Along with other multitudes I expect. His stuff was a bit hit and miss.

I assumed da bird done flown years past. Good to hear he's still doing stuff and there's new material in the offing. Must dig out the old stuff again. I've been meaning to give it a spin again for some time.

[robweb]

Bought bad shave after seeing him before You're Gorgeous appeared. It's great. I like the Lo-Fi records - erratically good. The mainstream LPs are just very patchy.

Did anyone buy his solo LP?

[Urpal]

I enjoyed the new Babybird song featured on the covermount CD with a recent issue of Word magazine.

I notice the UK promotional tour has been postponed into this month and truncated. The sorry tale is set out in all its inglory by Stephen Jones on Babybird's website. Hopefully there'll be enough takers to keep the few remaining gigs going.

[Urpal]

I went along to the Babybird gig in Manchester last night to make up the numbers. The crowd was not as small as feared - reasonably well attended.

Not having heard anything by Stephen Jones since around the time of You're Gorgeous, I was very much there on spec. He mainly did stuff from the new LP. I was well impressed. Thanks again for the reminder, Cassiel.

A bit like Cassiel's description of Richard Hawley (must be something in the Sheffield water), Jones was like a comedian in a working men's club between songs (all fuckin' this, c**tin' that and witty malhomie with the audience) and then when the music started he opened his mouth and suddenly "spake as a child" - these beautifully paced observational songs that pitched tiny love against a wearying world and saw it come out (mainly) resoundingly triumphant.

Surprisingly life-affirming in the same sort of "songs of innocence and redemption" way as Jonathan Richman. If you're "weary, feeling small" go and listen to Babybird's new album. It's (perhaps surprisingly) a lot better than you might imagine. There are a few songs on that MySpace link in Cassiel's post up the way.

PS From that photo on his MySpace page, it looks like either it was taken last night or he hasn't changed his shirt or combed his hair for a while. Lazy bastard

[Gazza]

Haven't really bothered with Babybird, I'm ashamed to say, partly because I look at his discography and find myself utterly confused. But I desperately, desperately need to get hold of Bad Old Man. Anyone know which album I'd find it on? Any other recommendations for a good place to start?

[Urpal]

The new album, Between My Ears There's Nothing But Music, sounds pretty consistently good to me - as it was apparently six years in the making/gestation that makes sense. I was surprised on checking my record collection just now to find I've got three earlier albums - Ugly Beautiful, There's Something Going On & Dying Happy - so that gives me quite a lot to re-listen to. Bad Old man is on the There's Something Going On album.

[robweb]

A bit like Cassiel's description of Richard Hawley (must be something in the Sheffield water), Jones was like a comedian in a working men's club between songs (all fuckin' this, c**tin' that and witty malhomie with the audience) and then when the music started he opened his mouth and suddenly "spake as a child" - these beautifully paced observational songs that pitched tiny love against a wearying world and saw it come out (mainly) resoundingly triumphant.

Great description Urpal - exactly what he was like when I say them in Leeds in 1995. I may try and catch this tour.

[Cassiel]

Me too. I love you urpal.  I've only just got round to buying the album (which I love) and you're already going to the gigs out of the kindness of your immense heart.  You're a bloodied saint and I, for one, salute you.   






























p.s I hear Phil Collins gigs in Manchester are selling slowly....

[Urpal]

p.s I hear Phil Collins gigs in Manchester are selling slowly....

 

In which case, I'd consider it an act of charity not to buy a ticket

Someone offered me tickets to see George Michael at £100 a head the other day. If they'd been offering me the £100 I might have been tempted. She sold 'em to soemone else though. Some people are obviously highly charitable sorts.

[Cassiel]

Haven't really bothered with Babybird, I'm ashamed to say, partly because I look at his discography and find myself utterly confused. But I desperately, desperately need to get hold of Bad Old Man. Anyone know which album I'd find it on? Any other recommendations for a good place to start?

Very, very difficult. He's recorded and re-recorded much of his stuff. Some of the lo-fi stuff might send a neophyte screaming to the hills, though I sense that you've a concrete stomach Gazza so you'll be alright.  

This is not bad, though comes with the usual 'best of' caveats: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Babybird/dp/B0001AV512/sr=8-4/qid=1163969855/ref=pd_ka_4/202-7254010-6043844?ie=UTF8&s=music

It goes beyond the hits. Though that word would make him spit with fury and madness.

This collects, if you can find it, some of the lo-fi stuff...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greatest-Hits-Babybird/dp/B000000GGF/sr=1-24/qid=1163971801/ref=sr_1_24/202-7254010-6043844?ie=UTF8&s=music


And if you like alot, then ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Lo-Fi-Babybird/dp/B00006LEOA/ref=pd_sim_m_h__1/202-7254010-6043844

[Gazza]

Some of the lo-fi stuff might send a neophyte screaming to the hills, though I sense that you've a concrete stomach Gazza so you'll be alright.  

Hmmm. Found myself listening to Sink, the Tardis-like Foetus compilation yesterday (looks like a single CD, feels like a box-set) and five tracks in I was wondering if anyone had got around to remastering it yet. Always prefer my noise to be beautifully recorded.

Looks like a race to the wallet between There's Something Going On and Best Of Babybird. Thanks chaps.

[Cassiel]

Four years on and Babybird is back (this site is beginning to make me feel dead old like). With a very strong new album and  a tour near you. Massive ligging arse Johnny Depp has jumped on board, but don't let that put you off. Just good to have the malevolent crooning old dyspeptic back on form. Failed Suicide Club is a classic.

Great quote too on the song that stopped him ever being cool...

“You’re Gorgeous’ is a powerful millstone, and sometimes, though I don’t mind the song, it’s 20 years old, and I’m being ground up under it. One day I’ll wear that millstone like a fucking king.”