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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9875 Posts |
 Posted - 09/03/2016 : 14:38:45
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Brown Bird
David Lamb (born 1975-died 2014) & MorganEve Swain
How could I have missed this amazing duo until now. Sadly David has passed away and never will we have the unique opportunity to see Brown Bird perform live. Thankfully the music will live on forever...thank goodness for youtube and live plays.
Listen, watch, revel...then we'll talk. WOW!
Folk Alley Sessions...remarkable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhctC-yDx4Q&list=PLysnXrq54es6f2fDs8xsOiRfF-joFukln
Brown Bird
Fits of Reason
©Pop Matters
On May 10, Brown Bird cut their show in Houston short to take singer/guitarist Dave Lamb to the hospital. Dave, it turned out, was severely anemic, with a hemoglobin count at 3.4. An average personÕs hemoglobin count is around 14. Dave spent a couple of weeks in the hospital in Houston before being allowed to return home to Rhode Island. A few more weeks of tests and the results are in. Sadly, Dave has been diagnosed with leukemia and Brown Bird is on hiatus until further notice while he gets treatment. Since Brown Bird is a working band with a low profile and no regular health insurance, the band has set up a donation page. So far, fans have donated almost $60,000 with the fundraiser set to close on June 16, enough to allow Dave to set up medical insurance and keep him and fellow band member MorganEve Swain solvent while the band isnÕt working.
Hopefully everything will turn out for Dave, but for now there isnÕt much else fans of the band can do besides make donations and wait for further news. In the meantime, the bandÕs recently released third album, Fits of Reason, is a further exploration of Brown BirdÕs early 20th century folk sound. For a folk duo, the group has a big sound. Part of this is due to the huge bottom end from SwainÕs upright bass, but LambÕs hollow-body electric guitar also sounds like an instrument that fills the room. Add to this the fact that Lamb not only sings but uses both of his feet to play percussion, and you have two musicians doing the jobs of three or four. Even though he sits while performing, Lamb works harder than the vast majority of rock music frontmen.
Fits of Reason begins with staccato, minor key guitar arpeggios, counterpointed with bass drum, wood block, and slow bass notes. This intro is left behind quickly as ÒSeven HellsÓ jumps into Brown BirdÕs version of a full-on rocker, which features full-on harmonizing from Lamb and Swain and syncopated guitar with basic but heavy distortion. The rhythm finds bass drum on the downbeat and shifts between woodblock and tambourine on the upbeat, giving the whole song a feel reminiscent of a gypsy dance. ItÕs a strong, distinctive start to the album, so naturally Brown Bird immediately shifts gears with ÒNine EyesÓ. This song sounds like a trip to the desert, complete with hand drums and the duo harmonizing on the fourth instead of the more traditional third or fifth. Third song ÒBow for BladeÓ changes things up again, with a 1920Õs jazz feel featuring a lot of violin. The track finds Swain taking lead vocals and harmonizing with herself, and is jaunty with a strong backbeat.
The rest of the album is equally impressive. Brown Bird donÕt fit in very well with the folk scene or the new Americana movement because the sounds they explore, while not unfamiliar, are definitely idiosyncratic. They donÕt eschew percussion like many string bands, but LambÕs limited palette of bass drum, wood block, and tambourine sounds significantly different than the usual snare and hi-hat cymbal dominated beats of rock drummers. Their commitment to playing in minor keys isnÕt necessarily strange, but Brown Bird are also fond of more unusual tonalities like double harmonic scales, which gives their songs that aforementioned gypsy and desert feelings.
Despite having a distinctive overall sound, Lamb and Swain donÕt get stuck in one place. Thus, the swirling instrumental ÒIblisÓ features circular, fugue-style interplay between the guitar and violin as the two instruments alternately crash against and complement each other for three and a half minutes. Then, right afterwards, ÒWayward DaughterÓ is completely different, starting slow, spare, and creepy, with vocal harmonies that lock in. Eventually, the song picks up into a similar uptempo swirl, but as the track swings into its climax, the duo bring in glockenspiel and bowed bass for another unique sound. ÒHitchensÓ finds Swain using the high end of her bass and a guitar/bass riff that recalls a creepy folk version of RadioheadÕs ÒParanoid AndroidÓ.
ItÕs telling that acoustic guitar-driven ÒAbednegoÓ, the only song that sounds like folk music from the last 50 years, only lasts for 90 seconds. The only other instance of acoustic guitar on Fits of Reason is on the record-closing ÒCavesÓ, and features another harmonized fugue, this time with three different acoustic guitars piling on top of each other. Lyrically, Brown BirdÕs are often concerned with topics like murder, betrayal, and sin in general. This fits in well with the general feel of their music, to the point where a pretty ballad like ÒAbednegoÓ is the true outlier on an album full of strange, idiosyncratic songs. Fits of Reason is the kind of album that refines a bandÕs sound to the point where it can reach a broader audience. ItÕs a shame that Dave LambÕs illness is going to keep them from really promoting it like they should. Good luck and get well soon, Dave.
BROWN BIRD, Salt For Salt 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoqH9irCn3o&list=PLFE9758CC61399A95
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The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK |
Edited by - lemonade kid on 19/03/2016 15:57:25 |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9875 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2016 : 15:24:29
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Amazing kick drum, guitar & cello - the wonderful Brown Bird displaying such a unique sound and genius songwriting, instrumental and vocal skills
Brown Bird - Nothing Left (Sleepover Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OzZ_kzCbX0
Artist Biography by Margaret Reges
The indie folk ensemble Brown Bird initially formed as a vehicle for lead vocalist and songwriter David Lamb. In 2003, having lived briefly in Seattle, Lamb moved east to Portland, Maine, where he started working on a handful of folk tunes that compared favorably to the spare, rough-hewn work of artists like Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Iron & Wine. Lamb's friends, Jerusha and Jeremy Robinson, were soon brought on board to round out Brown Bird's sound, and the trio self-released their debut full-length, Tautolougy, in 2006.
The band self-released one more disc, Such Unrest, the following year before they were picked up by Portland, Maine's Peapod Recordings. Their first album on that label, The Bottom of the Sea, came out in 2008; Lamb undertook a solo tour of the U.S. in support of that release soon after. While he was on the road, Lamb made the acquaintance of the Rhode Island-based multi-instrumentalists MorganEve Swain and Mike Samos, who ended up playing in support of Lamb for a couple of his solo shows. Swain and Samos were brought on board as full-fledged members of Brown Bird before the year came to an close.
Brown Bird's fourth studio album, The Devil Dancing, was released in November of the following year. Inspired by the writings of Omar Khayyam, Christopher Hitchens, and Plato, among others, the newly minted duo's fifth outing, the self-produced Fits of Reasons, dropped in early 2013. While on the road in support of the album, Lamb, who had been in poor health for several months, was diagnosed with leukemia. Sadly, he succumbed to the disease on April 5, 2014. The following year, Swain, with the help of her brother Spencer Swain and engineer Seth Manchester, applied the finishing touches to Axis Mundi, the duo's final album.
Salt For Salt 2011
AllMusic Review by Ned Ragged
The eternal return of self-consciously rootsy/heartland/folky/whatever-you-want-to-term-it music in the American popular context is almost its own self-contained cycle at this point, and initially it seems clear that Brown Bird are part of that.
Whether it's the deep demi-twang of lead figure David Lamb, the porch-stomp feeling of the rhythms or more besides, it's part of an alternately loose and self-contained genre as much as metal is, or country or hip-hop or whatever works as a description.
But with that in mind, Salt for Salt has its own ace up its sleeve, first evident on "Chairkickers," thanks to Morganeve Swain's slow, mournful cello part that snakes throughout the song, not to mention the cheery waltz feeling set against the darker sentiments of the lyric -- if there's a parallel point to be made, it's that there's a sense of theatrical cabaret evident in Brown Bird's work as much as a perceived Appalachia. Thus "Bilgewater" could be something close to a sea shanty; "Come My Way" has a hint of klezmer's energy and elegance; and "Nothing Left" begins with a mournful introduction that has the feeling of a memorial to lost time more than anything else, building up energy throughout the song almost as a reaction but never a full answer.
"Shiloh," with its handclap rhythms and focused, strong melodies offset by a distant string swirl and wail, further transforming to a suddenly staccato, even more honed midsection, is a particular revelation, an instrumental piece that feels less like something from the Civil War and more from a centuries-old ritual somewhere in the Middle East. The occasional lead vocal turns by Swain provide a good contrast as well, first evident on "End of Days" as her calmer tones set against a brisker but still hushed arrangement ratchet up the tension in gentle fashion, a whisper in the ear as something approaches.
BROWN BIRD: "Blood of Angels" Animated Lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmneIEkQUeY&ebc=ANyPxKoe57k7X9cPDYP1MTm86Q9dubk7L2fPaHxecBKAGQmMVt-OUDwxhQe329U27F16lIPvDpfI
RIP david...
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The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK |
Edited by - lemonade kid on 19/03/2016 15:16:45 |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9875 Posts |
Posted - 19/03/2016 : 15:29:53
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Remembering David Lamb...
Dear friends,
Over the past year, and especially this past week, I have been so overwhelmed and grateful for the amount of love that has surrounded Dave and me throughout our life and career together.
You all have posted so many beautiful stories about Dave- how humble he was, how gracious, how talented...He certainly was all those things.
Four days after Dave and I met we became bandmates, lovers and business partners, and set the tone for what our life would be for the next six years. We never imagined the amount of success we would enjoy in those years, how many incredible friendships would be forged, the experiences we would share, and nothing could have prepared us for the events of this past year.
Dave entered the battle with leukemia as only Dave could- determined, steadfast, smiling and always with his mind on our future. His incredible ability to continue writing through his struggle is something I'll forever aspire to.
This week was the toughest in the battle, as Dave's body began to shut down under the stress of a year-long fight and a sudden and aggressive leukemic relapse.
Today, surrounded by his family and so many friends, Dave peacefully let go.
Thank you for all the love you've all shown us. It helped so very much to know we had an army behind us.
Love and gratitude,
MorganEve
Some music to remember David...
Chairkickers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L7VwNIwzzY
Remembering Local Musician David Lamb Of Brown Bird
By JOHN BENDER ¥ APR 8, 2014 / Rhode Island Public Radio
The local music scene lost an important musician this month. David Lamb, one half of the Rhode Island folk duo Brown Bird passed away late last week, after a year-long battle with leukemia. Lamb was only 35.
Sometimes gothic and bluesy, often with minimal drums and exotic gypsy flourishes, Brown BirdÕs music was inventive, but grounded by the gravelly voice and lyrics of lead singer David Lamb. Lamb formed the band in the early 2000Õs. It underwent several incarnations before its final arrangement; as a duo comprising of himself, and his wife, the multi-instrumentalist MorganEve Swain.
David Lamb described his musical style to Rhode Island Public Radio in 2010, following the release of the bandÕs album, ÒThe Devil Dancing.Ó
ÒWe all like to listen to a lot of the music of the Balkan Gypsies, and all sorts of eastern European stuff. And we donÕt consciously make an effort to write it into the songs, but it definitely comes out,Ó said Lamb. ÒParts of that rhythm, and parts of that that appeals to me is in the different folk musics of cultures around the world. And for some reason eastern European seems to really connect with me personally.Ó
The band gained a following across New England, and was eventually invited to play at the iconic Newport Folk Festival. Brown BirdÕs manager Tom Weyman remembers the bandÕs first performance at the festival in July of 2011.
ÒI was so excited and nervous for them. We were scheduled to play at eleven in the morning. And it was that typical anxiety when youÕre playing that early if anyoneÕs going to show up, and by ten-fifty-five the tent was completely full,Ó said Weyman.
Brown Bird was invited back to perform on the festivalÕs main stage the following year.
Lamb was diagnosed with leukemia last May, and his illness highlighted the difficulties of making a living as working artist. With no health insurance, he and his wife found themselves saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Devoted fans and friends helped the couple raise the money through an online crowd-funding campaign. Despite aggressive medical treatment, including a bone marrow transplant, he succumbed to his sickness on Saturday, April 5th. David Lamb was 35 years old.
Friends and fellow musicians are holding a concert in honor of David Lamb Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 at the Columbus Theater in Providence. The event is free and open to the public.
End Of Days from Salt For Salt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB0rGsiYMwY
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The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK |
Edited by - lemonade kid on 19/03/2016 15:56:35 |
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BROWN BIRD-Fits Of Reason-jazz, gothic blues, folk
