From: Wesley (wesleyc_at_cox.net)
Date: 2003-05-24 01:23:44
Video+Reviews :: Beady Belle - Music Video, Live, and Reviews
just a plethora of items on Beady Belle this time. streaming videos and
a collection of reviews of the new album.
:: Videos
unless you live in Norway, you've likely never seen them in motion.
Beady Belle's management agency has high quality streaming video of the
band. the music video for "Ghosts" and a live clip of "Lose and Win."
Ghosts: http://www.hopper-management.com/video/vid_bb_ghosts.ram
Lose and Win: http://www.hopper-management.com/video/vid_bb_loseandwin.ram
:: Reviews
- Blues and Soul Magazine
BEADY BELLE (Jazzland) CEWBEAGAPPIC
The enigmatic title is in fact an acronym supposedly summing up all the
qualities of this second album from Norway's nu-jazz duo, Beady Belle
(you'll have to peruse the CD booklet to appreciate fully what I mean).
Comprising singer/songwriter, Beate Lech, and bassist and beatmeister,
Marius Reksjo, Beady Belle made a favourable impression with the critics
(this one included) on the strength of 2001's debut, "Home." I have to
confess that this new album isn't as immediate, but it does reward the
listener tenfold with repeated listening. In terms of its general
ambience, it's certainly more subdued and introspective. Also, the jazz
element is far more pronounced here (epitomised by "One & Only") while
the upbeat, funkafied dance tunes that featured so strongly on "Home"
are thin on the ground. Having said that, there's much to enjoy - "Big
Balloon," with its haunting cinematic grandeur, wistful lyric, gently
undulating groove and eerie string/choir part is breathtakingly
beautiful. Other highpoints include the melancholy "Shadow," the driving
uptempo groover, "On The Ground" and "April Fool," which has melodic
echoes of Joni Mitchell. Lech's fluid, expressive voice and intelligent,
almost poetic lyrics, are superbly complemented by Reksjo's adroit and
imaginative arrangements. Fusing acoustic instruments with ambient
electronica, the duo have achieved a distinctive and immediately
recognizable sound, which is laudable in this age of cloned
characterless soundalikes. In terms of its artistry, "Cewbeagappic" is a
real gem and represents a quantum leap forward for Beady Belle. (CW)
http://www.bluesandsoul.co.uk/reviewalbum.html
-CKUA
Beady Belle
"CEWBEAGAPPIC"
(Jazzland / Universal)
As Reviewed by CKUA Staff
CEWBEAGAPPIC is the sophomore release from Norway's nu-jazz duo Beady
Belle.
Beady Belle is comprised of lyricist and vocalist Beate S. Lech and
bassist and groovemeister Marius Reksjų. This collaboration began when
the two met while studying at the University of Oslo, and in 1999 Bugge
Wessletoft, head of the Jazzland record label, asked Beate to record an
album. The result was the widely received debut Home - a jazz album of
upbeat and funkified dance tunes.
In CEWBEAGAPPIC, the duo effortlessly melds components of jazz and soul
with elements of techno and house. Lech's wistful and introspective
lyrics and frosty and haunting voice combine well with the electronic
and acoustic arrangements.
The difficulties in describing their music led the group to come up with
a new word for the album title, an acronym of contrasts: Complex, Easy,
White, Black, Electronic, Acoustic, Groovy, Ambient, Programmed, Played
and Improvised and Composed.
Lucky for Alberta fans, the duo will be touring through Alberta for the
Jazz City Festivals. They will be in Calgary at the Warehouse June 26-28
and in Edmonton at the New City Liquid Lounge June 24-25.
In the meantime, enjoy Beady Belle's new album, CEWBEAGAPPIC which is
released on Jazzland and Universal.
-Susan Mikytyshyn
http://www.ckua.org/cdoftheweek/#
-- The Eclectic Sounds of Japan [Sound :: Lounge] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoundLounge