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Post by zaffra on Mar 14, 2005 5:58:27 GMT -5
I Am A Bird Now.
Should this be in Camden?
I've been reading a lot of interesting things about this caberet art rock trans-sexual collaboration.
Featuring Boy George, Lou Reed and Devendra Banhart it sounds very intriguing.
People keep discribing it as remarkable, but in what way? By all accounts his vibrato singing is supposed to be unusual - but in a good way?
Can anyone tell me more?
+ he was inspired by Kate Bushs' cartwheel antics during Wuthering Heights, so I do feel some sort of kinship.
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nnnumb
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Post by nnnumb on Mar 14, 2005 6:40:31 GMT -5
I'm just about to order the album, having heard such good things about it.
If you've got "Want Two", then the strange androgynous, Nina Simone-ish voice featured on that is Antony. It certainly is an unusual voice!
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xolondon
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Post by xolondon on Mar 14, 2005 7:16:00 GMT -5
I have this record and it's very good, but yes this is more of a Camden thread. Antony does not belong next to Javine! He is an acquired taste.
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Post by LaLaLaBridgetta on Apr 12, 2005 8:39:26 GMT -5
The voice is so appropriate for the Weill/Brecht-style tracks on the album.
Bridgey xxx
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richie
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Post by richie on Apr 19, 2005 5:31:12 GMT -5
Ladysmith Black Mambazo innit?
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xolondon
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Post by xolondon on Apr 19, 2005 7:29:11 GMT -5
I am selling my copy - I burned a few tracks. It's intriguing stuff but I will never play the full CD.
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LoverTits
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Post by LoverTits on Apr 24, 2005 8:29:29 GMT -5
Oooh I'll buy it.
I was wondering what this was like.
PM me of you still have it for sale.
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Post by LoverTits on Apr 27, 2005 18:16:06 GMT -5
Cancel the above; the lovely Beautiful Freak gave me a copy of both A&the J's albums.
Can I just *RANT AND RAVE* about how good "I Am A Bird Now" is?
Well, I'm going to anyway.
"Hope there's someone who'll take care of me when I die" is the opening line, and sets the scene for the whole album. It's like being plunged into someone's low budget afternoon matinee "Disease of the Day" TV film.
I listened to it while travelling at night through Hackney by bus, watching people bumping into each other and cursing, while Mr Anthony sang his sad, torchy pianola soul songs in a wibbly voice that sounds like Nina Simone after therapy.
I've just been playing it over and over again.
Even the hysterically sobbing crack lady who jumped on the bus asking everyone for fifty pence just added to the whole thing. Especially when another passenger told her to fuck off if she couldn't pay the fare.
The compassion, the humanity!
Piled up delicate misery.
You can't beat it.
Especially if it's genderfucked.
Hurrah!
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xolondon
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Post by xolondon on Apr 28, 2005 10:20:05 GMT -5
Sorry I didn't see your note until it was too late LoverTits!
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Post by BeautifulFreak on Apr 29, 2005 13:36:51 GMT -5
Can I just *RANT AND RAVE* about how good "I Am A Bird Now" is? But the first album is just that little bit better, right?
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Post by marknyc on Apr 29, 2005 23:55:23 GMT -5
But the first album is just that little bit better, right? I always found the first album a bit redundant and cold and I slipped it away over a year back. I didn't think it captured the eerie quality of the cabaret show Antony was doing at the time. I find the newer album much more interesting and enthralling. I think the guest vocalists add to this. It is much more theatrical (and cinematic!) and melodic. I'll have to report back on how enduring it is. It was looping for a month back in January and has since taken a back seat but the first quarter of this year was so strong on new music it is a testament that it ever made it into the playlist at all. Also, it is nice hearing Lou Reed singing gentle again. He does it really well. His old lullabies are a huge influence on Antony's style. After two decades of being a complete prick, it is nice to hear him back on the ludes.
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Post by LoverTits on May 2, 2005 9:49:30 GMT -5
I know I got to this one a little late, and also missed the opportunity to see Liz Fraser in the bar at Queen Elizabeth Hall, but what can I do?
I am *very* excited about going to see A &the J's in London when they finally announce the date.*
I like the first album esp. Cripple/Starfish and Blue Angel, but agree with Mr NYC that the arrangements on the current album are more adventurous and THAT opening track just gets in my head and jumps up and down on my ventral tegmental area.
The vocals on "Bird" are also more controlled and somehow more damaged than on the first album. It's altogether a more intense and spooky ride. I mean, any song about breast amputation's gotta be a good thing right? That and the whole boy/girl thing too.
Let's hear it for Devendra Banhart on "Spiralling" too, although Boy George sounds like a drunken pub singer on "You Are My Sister".
* Oooh it's the QEH June 25th
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Post by marknyc on May 2, 2005 13:08:36 GMT -5
, although Boy George sounds like a drunken pub singer on "You Are My Sister". I was under the assumption that it was intentional. I like it!
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Post by LoverTits on May 2, 2005 13:53:00 GMT -5
I was under the assumption that it was intentional. I like it! Mr George's voice conjures up bad mind-pictures of swaying smocks and running neck mascara. But if it's intentional, it throws a whole different light on things. I will now re-listen and re-evaluate....
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Post by xolondon on May 2, 2005 19:15:09 GMT -5
No, I think Boy has actually pretty much LOST his voice. There were signs of it on other recent work. It's sad.
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Post by nnnumb on May 2, 2005 19:54:44 GMT -5
I thought he sounded better than I've heard him in years on 'You Are My Sister', but then again, I do generally like people who can't sing. I presume the recent work you're mentioning is the Twin album? Is it that bad? I can't quite bring myself to buy a copy.
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Post by xolondon on May 3, 2005 8:54:10 GMT -5
what I have heard of the Twin is UNBEARABLE.
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Post by Storm on May 30, 2005 10:15:57 GMT -5
OK, so I'm extremely late with this, but how fucking great is 'I AM A Bird Now'??
Just an amazing, truly touching record.
Love it.
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Post by zaffra on Jun 23, 2005 9:03:06 GMT -5
Is anyone going to the gig at the QE hall on Friday?
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Post by Kittens-In-A-Hoodie on Jun 25, 2005 5:39:58 GMT -5
Is anyone going to the gig at the QE hall on Friday? Retrospectively, yes. and, ohmyfuckingjesusgod, weren't they just extraordinary. We were sitting in the 4th row, so got a marvellous, close-up view of proceedings, and frankly, the whole thing was utterly mesmerising. Right now, I'd have to say that this could well have been the best concert I've ever seen. The level of musicianship, attention to detail and the beauty of the lush rearrangements of the songs was stunning, hugely better than the already great album versions - the increased budget was highly evident. Couple that with Anthony's magnetic, intense performing style and you have a quite wonderful, unique experience. I'm still reeling
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Post by PP on Jun 26, 2005 11:04:07 GMT -5
It was beautiful! I don't know what else to say. I'm just glad I couldn't see his face and all the expressions he makes while singing, from where we were sat, as I would have cried all the way through.
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Post by jud on Jun 26, 2005 17:06:02 GMT -5
"Hope there's someone who'll take care of me when I die" is the opening line, and sets the scene for the whole album. It's like being plunged into someone's low budget afternoon matinee "Disease of the Day" TV film. Thought 'Hope There's Someone' was amazing - sent shivers down my spine and in fact I'm tempted to get the album just for that one!
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Post by klee on Jun 27, 2005 6:15:16 GMT -5
I've just managed to get hold of a last-minute ticket for his gig in Manchester tomorrow. I never go to gigs on my own, but will make an exception for Antony.
For those of you who couldn't get tickets this time round, he's confirmed for another UK tour but they haven't released the dates yet. The next one's for the posher end of the venue market, mind, so it'll be a sit down deal. N
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Post by klee on Jun 29, 2005 4:20:08 GMT -5
Bloody hell!
That was amazing! What a beautiful, accomplished, touching and, surprisingly enough, funny experience that was.
To set the scene, Antony and the Johnsons played Academy 3 in Manchester last night. It was sold out and sweltering - Antony kept breaking off to ask whether we were okay. It had the best atmosphere of any gig I've ever been to.
- Antony introduced it as "a season in hell with slow songs by Antony and the Johnsons". It couldn't have been any further from the truth. - He started with My Lady Story and Cripple And The Starfish. Utterly bewitching. - He cracked jokes, bantered with the audience and talked about gay bars. - He made us boo his cover of a Leonard Cohen song. - He made us sing backing vocals to Dust And Water. - He sang Afraid by Nico and did an impression of her. - He joked about being the reincarnation of a cavewoman and flirted with his bassist. - He finished with Hope There's Someone and did Candy Says by The Velvet Underground as an encore.
Roll on his next gig at The Bridgewater Hall later in the year.
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Post by PP on Jun 29, 2005 5:56:31 GMT -5
Are the next lot of dates listed anywhere?
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Post by puffpower on Jul 4, 2005 13:25:00 GMT -5
I've only listened to this once or twice but I like it a lot at the moment- I certainly like his voice, it's very expressive in every syllable
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Post by seafood on Jul 10, 2005 13:33:36 GMT -5
Antony has been the love of my life in the last few months. I envy you people who can go to proper gigs, and hear Antony sing Strange Fruit. It must be the most wonderful thing in the world. I'm actually looking for a new love right now, I mean, how much can you listen to Antony and Patrick Wolf. Does anybody know of other beautiful boys (or girls) who can send shivers down my spine?
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Post by ScissorSister on Jul 11, 2005 3:57:12 GMT -5
Antony has been the love of my life in the last few months. I envy you people who can go to proper gigs, and hear Antony sing Strange Fruit. It must be the most wonderful thing in the world. I'm actually looking for a new love right now, I mean, how much can you listen to Antony and Patrick Wolf. Does anybody know of other beautiful boys (or girls) who can send shivers down my spine? Rufus? He's always a good bet. He's my favourite singer at the moment and probably will be for a long time. Martha's always a good bet too, she's great.
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Post by seafood on Jul 11, 2005 15:39:34 GMT -5
Rufus? He's always a good bet. He's my favourite singer at the moment and probably will be for a long time. Martha's always a good bet too, she's great. Nuh, I'm kinda fed up with Rufus too. Actually, some evil force scratched my Want Two record, and now the most wonderful song, which is The One You Love, is played in a weird fast way. Why is it always my favourite track that's getting all the scratches? Martha might be nice. Too bad the new Cocorosie record isn't good. Anyway, did anyone see the lovely Hope There's Someone video, that can be seen on pitchfork, as well as other places, probably? With the suffering lady who likes to stay in bed? Very avantgarde!
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Post by klee on Jul 12, 2005 3:37:15 GMT -5
Try a bit of Jose Gonzalez. He's a marvellous acousticy woozy singer-songwriter from Sweden. His new album, Veneer is out very soon and he's on tour in the UK as well. www.jose-gonzalez.comHe does a wonderful line in covers as well: so far Heartbeats by The Knife, Teardrop by Massive Attack and Kylie's very own Hand On Your Heart. They might seem like odd choices, but they're all ace.
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