Birds of Chicago - Live from Space

  by Carl Bookstein

published: 6 / 4 / 2014

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With sounds that are both earthbound and taking flight, the Birds of Chicago tap into a wellspring of inspiration- like a kind of new gospel music. On 'Live from Space' these sounds are captured live in concert. The Birds of Chicago are a collective based around vocalists/ instrumentalists Allison Russell and JT Nero. 'Live from Space' is rich resonant roots music from the get go, with Russell’s down-to-earth authentic vocal on 'Barley' comforting like a sonic blanket. Nero takes the lead with a country rock-esque turn on 'All the City Girls' Russell joining in with a bluesy wail. True inspiration is captured, as these musicians sound literally high on what they are creating here: “This is not the day I die/But if it is than that’s alright.” The tandem male/female alternating vocals are elevating, the collective instrumentals finely supporting, as we hear songs about fever dreams and listening to the rain. 'Sans Souci' starts out with an evocative banjo into an accordion part, capturing something of a Cajun lullaby. 'Prairie Lullaby' captures death, rebirth and the clouds of some coming apocalypse. 'Mountains/Forests' includes a poetic lyric that references dreams and electric seahorses. On 'Kathy' the muse is dancing to Stevie Wonder, while the lyric of 'Funeral' tells the audience: “Ice cream man never lied to you/Every beautiful thing is true.” Even heavy clouds on this recording sound uplifting. 'Firespitter' is a rollicking number with some tasteful piano fills, singing about Chinese New Year. 'Fever Dream' is a chugging, kicking, cascading train of roots rock. 'Til it’s Gone' is the soulful closer, ending on a note of gratitude: “God bless this beautiful morning till it’s gone.” Russell and Nero offer a complementary vocal tandem throughout, with natural organic band rhythms backing them all the way

Track Listing:-

1 Barley
2 All the City Girls
3 I Have Heard Words
4 Sugar Dumplin'
5 Sans Souci
6 Prairie Lullaby
7 Mountains / Forests
8 Kathy
9 Cannonball
10 Sparrow
11 Funeral
12 Nobody Wants to Be Alone Nobod
13 North Star
14 Firespitter
15 Fever Dream
16 Trampoline
17 Til It's Gone

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/BirdsofChicago.Official
http://www.birdsofchicago.com/
https://twitter.com/jtandalli

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