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Product Description
Review
Until now, David Rotheray has been best known for his role as guitarist with massively successful band The Beautiful South, and the co-writer (along with Paul Heaton) of a series of hits including You Keep It All In and Don’t Marry Her. When that band broke up three years ago, after a remarkable 19-year career, and Rotheray went on to work with Homespun. Now he’s back with a very different project: The Life of Birds is a collaboration with ten different singers, including many of the current celebrities of the British folk scene.
The result is an intriguingly varied album of often sad-edged songs that range from the playful to the thoughtful, covering topics that most songwriters would shy away from. Some, but not all, of the tracks have an ornithological theme, so The Sparrow, the Thrush and the Nightingale (which appears in two parts, as the opening and closing tracks) is a gently satirical piece about greed and betrayal in the music industry (the birds decide to make money by selling their songs) with Jim Causley taking the lead. Then there’s the thoughtful, piano-backed Crows, Ravens and Rooks, which is finely sung by Kathryn Williams, and which Rotheray describes as “a somewhat middle-aged reflection on the virtues of serial monogamy”. Causley reappears, in the company of Bella Hardy, for the gently cheerful The Hummingbird on Your Calendar, a “cosmic musing on the effable nature of time” with pedal steel guitar backing. Hardy shows how well she can handle a charmingly bittersweet pop ballad on The Digital Cuckoo, in which, says Rotheray, “a technophobe rails against electric clocks”.
Elsewhere, unexpected lyrics deal with anything from illness and death to migration – with the often poignant or painful ideas at times matched against sturdy and cheerful-sounding melodies. So Almost Beautiful, sung by Eleanor McEvoy, combines a jazz-edged ballad with a bleak reflection on Alzheimer’s disease, while Taller Than Me uses a simple piano and string backing for a song about childhood and mortality. In total contrast again is Draughty Old Fortress, a gothic mood piece featuring the compelling vocals of Alasdair Roberts, and The Road to the South, a drifting ballad about northerners moving to London with fine soulful vocals from Eliza Carthy.
As for Rotheray himself, he doesn’t sing at all, instead playing bass or guitar on most of the highly original songs on this decidedly unusual set.
--Robin DenselowFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Mojo ****
"... a passionate, funny, unbearably moving and deeply addictive record..."
".... never less than engagingly bittersweet..."
".... never less than engagingly bittersweet..."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
Lying in my scratcher two weeks ago desperately searching for the motivation to get up, I was roused from my semi-conscious slumber by an interview with David Rotheray on the Today programme about his (then) forthcoming album - The Life of Birds. Background clips of two tracks (The Sparrow et al and Crows et al) was all that was needed for me to rise, wrap a towel around my burgeoning waistline and tip-toe to the laptop to pre-order the album. A fortnight later, returning home from holiday, I found the CD sitting on the mat among all that unwanted guff which accumalates when your guard is down. Bags still packed and dirty washing festering, I have now listened to the album three times through and feel qualified to comment.
The album struck a note instantly; of great appeal is the wide range of superb musicians singing and accompanying DR on each track. Folk and acoustic features prominently throughout but that is not to categorise this album as such. It covers a wide spectrum of styles (there's even a slide guitar for those of you with exotic tastes) which all combine to produce a first class collection of songs that comment on issues such as greed, puberty, marriage, Alzheimers, old age, supressed sexuality and electric clocks. As to be expected, there is a song about Hull. There is a melancholic feel to the album, but not at the expense of humour and wit, and all of the songs are beautifully arranged. The album's subtle production enhances the music opposed to stripping it of all its charm. This is an album to treasure and is one that deserves to be listened to. If, like me, you have never heard DR's solo stuff before, take a chance and buy this one - you will not be disappointed (and you will also discover how exciting birds can be!).
The album struck a note instantly; of great appeal is the wide range of superb musicians singing and accompanying DR on each track. Folk and acoustic features prominently throughout but that is not to categorise this album as such. It covers a wide spectrum of styles (there's even a slide guitar for those of you with exotic tastes) which all combine to produce a first class collection of songs that comment on issues such as greed, puberty, marriage, Alzheimers, old age, supressed sexuality and electric clocks. As to be expected, there is a song about Hull. There is a melancholic feel to the album, but not at the expense of humour and wit, and all of the songs are beautifully arranged. The album's subtle production enhances the music opposed to stripping it of all its charm. This is an album to treasure and is one that deserves to be listened to. If, like me, you have never heard DR's solo stuff before, take a chance and buy this one - you will not be disappointed (and you will also discover how exciting birds can be!).
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I must admit that I wasn't really a fan of the "Beautiful South" - Rotheray's previous employment - but they could spin a decent tune with good, quirky lyrics. I only picked up this due to the impressive list of folk artists who appear on it. Good tunes, varied styles, interesting lyrics and stories behind the songs and wonderful artists such as Bella Hardy, Eliza Carthy and Jim Causley in tow. The songwriting and instrumentation is the star here.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Dave's written a folk album, you know"
Me: "Great!" *sigh* *pulls face* "It'll all be fiddle-dee-dee, day trips and skipping, won't it?" *pulls another face*
The above was across pint ramblings of 2 friends.
My introduction to the actual songs on the album was a live gig at a new venue in Hull called 'Fruit'. Due to there being 10 singers on the album real (14 songs), the gig was merely featuring 2 of them: Bella Hardy and Jim Causley. The album also includes Alasdair Roberts, Eliza Carthy, Jack L, Nat Johnson, Julie Murphy, Camille O'Sullivan, Kathryn Williams and Eleanor McEvoy.
The gig was so good, I bought the album, there and then.
There's probably one song that you could call a 'pop' song, that being 'The Sparrow, the Thrush and the Nightingale', it's kind of a masterstroke by Dave because it opens the ears to what is to follow... Basically, we ALL like a 'pop' song, something to get the feet tapping and the head nodding and this one achieves that with consumate ease. Your kids will like it!
Following on from that, the rest isn't particularly 'for kids'. It's a definite 'adults' album, there are songs on it which discuss life, illness, love, hate, war, regret, disappointment, hope, memories and most heart-breakingly (is that a word?) the disintegration of great friendship...
Personal favourites are:-
'The Road to the South'
'Sweet Forgetfulness'
'The Best Excuse in the World (is the Truth)'
...and if you would like to hear a contender for the greatest but most under-rated song EVER, try 'Almost Beautiful' (with Eleanor McEvoy).
The songs are so good, you feel like you already know them! Live with them.. enjoy them.. and you'll keep returning to them, over the years. I guarantee it!
So Dave, has in my opinion, managed to not simply retread old ground and become a carbon copy of his former self, but he has done the nearly impossible and we have been witness to 'The Re-creation of David Rotheray' (not Dave, anymore!).
Give him a hug should you chance upon him, its healthier and cheaper than buying him a pint, he is, after all a National Treasure..!
Shame on me for doubting his massive talent! -hahaha! *blushes*
By-the-way, its strange, but from the ashes, up come 2 of, certainly THIS year's contenders for 'Album of the Year' in David Rotheray's 'The Life of Birds' and Paul Heaton's 'Acid Country', is it purely coincidental that they are both on the Proper Records label?
Buy it, buy THEM!! XX
Me: "Great!" *sigh* *pulls face* "It'll all be fiddle-dee-dee, day trips and skipping, won't it?" *pulls another face*
The above was across pint ramblings of 2 friends.
My introduction to the actual songs on the album was a live gig at a new venue in Hull called 'Fruit'. Due to there being 10 singers on the album real (14 songs), the gig was merely featuring 2 of them: Bella Hardy and Jim Causley. The album also includes Alasdair Roberts, Eliza Carthy, Jack L, Nat Johnson, Julie Murphy, Camille O'Sullivan, Kathryn Williams and Eleanor McEvoy.
The gig was so good, I bought the album, there and then.
There's probably one song that you could call a 'pop' song, that being 'The Sparrow, the Thrush and the Nightingale', it's kind of a masterstroke by Dave because it opens the ears to what is to follow... Basically, we ALL like a 'pop' song, something to get the feet tapping and the head nodding and this one achieves that with consumate ease. Your kids will like it!
Following on from that, the rest isn't particularly 'for kids'. It's a definite 'adults' album, there are songs on it which discuss life, illness, love, hate, war, regret, disappointment, hope, memories and most heart-breakingly (is that a word?) the disintegration of great friendship...
Personal favourites are:-
'The Road to the South'
'Sweet Forgetfulness'
'The Best Excuse in the World (is the Truth)'
...and if you would like to hear a contender for the greatest but most under-rated song EVER, try 'Almost Beautiful' (with Eleanor McEvoy).
The songs are so good, you feel like you already know them! Live with them.. enjoy them.. and you'll keep returning to them, over the years. I guarantee it!
So Dave, has in my opinion, managed to not simply retread old ground and become a carbon copy of his former self, but he has done the nearly impossible and we have been witness to 'The Re-creation of David Rotheray' (not Dave, anymore!).
Give him a hug should you chance upon him, its healthier and cheaper than buying him a pint, he is, after all a National Treasure..!
Shame on me for doubting his massive talent! -hahaha! *blushes*
By-the-way, its strange, but from the ashes, up come 2 of, certainly THIS year's contenders for 'Album of the Year' in David Rotheray's 'The Life of Birds' and Paul Heaton's 'Acid Country', is it purely coincidental that they are both on the Proper Records label?
Buy it, buy THEM!! XX
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Delightful
I was a big fan of The Beautiful South's wit and melody's and stumbled upon Homespun via the incredible voice of Sam Brown. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dan
BEST CD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Melodic, poetic and beautiful songs,arranged and sung well. Certainly the best of the year.
More please from David Rotheray.
More please from David Rotheray.
Published 17 months ago by ACD
Beautiful Almost..... Brilliant most Definately
Life of Birds is an eclectic array of touching vocals, poignant lyrics backed by soothing rhythmical melodies. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Erika Ebtekar
Life of Birds
Was always interested with anything to do with the Beautiful South, so was keen to see what Rotherhay had produced on his own. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Siggy
Disappointed
I thought this CD would be more varied and melodious but I found it bland.
Published 20 months ago by J. F. Truscott
The Life of Birds is an album of sheer brilliance
David Rotheray
The Life of Birds
BEAUTIFUL South founder and songwriter David Rotheray releases his first solo album The Life Of Birds... Read more
The Life of Birds
BEAUTIFUL South founder and songwriter David Rotheray releases his first solo album The Life Of Birds... Read more
Published 21 months ago by seagullnic
sounds good
I've heard the single on the radio. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album.
Published 21 months ago by EmmaB
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