mannny

Andrew Bird started his band Bowl of Fire by teaming up with drummer Kevin O’Donnell and bassist Josh Hirsch of Charlie Nobody. Katharine Walen (singer) and guitarist James Mathus of Squirrel Nut Zippers also appear on this album. Bird’s new band signed with the Rykodisc record label to release their first album Thrills in 1998.

Thrills takes us back to pre-war jazz and swing. There is some gypsy-jazz and Django Reinhardt influence on several tracks with Stephane Grappelli–esque violin work by Bird. The album consists of all original songs composed by Andrew Bird save for the fifth and last track. The album opens with a melancholic jazz song that sounds like it would suit the streets of New Orleans. Jack Fine’s wailing trumpet and Bird’s somewhat angry vocals make Minor Stab one of the best tracks on the album. Idles of Swing is a laid back swing-jazz song that could fit right in with Django’s work. The next track is another swing song that is one of the more upbeat tracks of the album. Glass Figurine is a fun song with some excellent harmonies between the guitar and violin. Bird revisits a song from Music of Hair with Pathetique but it does not add much to the album. Depression-Pasillo is another high point of the album. It is an up-tempo track lead by a wonderful violin solo. Bird takes control of this track and completely leads the band with his violin solo. The next two tracks, 50 Pieces and A Woman’s Life and Love are again swing songs with gypsy jazz elements. Katharine Walen delivers some smooth jazzy vocals on the latter.

The second half of the album is not as strong as the first. So far the album has been an interesting and entertaining mix of laid back and upbeat swing songs with some gypsy jazz influence but the music eventually becomes a bit repetitive. Swedish Wedding March is a medieval sounding melody played by the solo violin. The next three tracks are some more upbeat swing songs. Bird again revisits a song from Music of Hair, Nuthinduan Waltz but this folk song sounds somewhat out of place. The last track is a well known bluegrass song on the guitar and violin pleasantly sung by Bird. There is a hidden track that is a long swing jam session to finish off the album.

This album is definitely not contemporary music but it is still an enjoyable and fun album. It is apparent that Bowl of Fire is a talented band and they are more versatile than their counterpart, Squirrel Nut Zippers. Bird demonstrates more of his violin virtuosity in this area of swing and jazz music. Bird’s vocals are not nearly as brilliant as his violin but that is soon to change. Thrills is a solid, fun album and somewhat of a warm up album for the masterpiece, in my opinion, that is Bowl of Fire’s next and final album, Oh! The Grandeur.

__________________