On My Own

Description

Recorded in New York City, 'On My Own' is the eighth album by Norwegian group Beady Belle. It features a strong - but not overpowering - undercurrent of 70s soul and vocal jazz, mixing intimacy and exuberance, and pulsations both urban and urbane. The musicians include Bugge Wesseltoft (who is also the producer) on keys, Gregory Hutchinson on drums, Reuben Rogers on bass, saxophonist Joshua Redman, trumpeter Mathias Eick and vocalist Torun Eriksen.

Beady Belle is led by charismatic vocalist/composer Beate S. Lech, whose compositional and lyrical skills are showcased here as never before, weaving new tapestries through which her voice is the golden thread. Melodically gripping, harmonically intricate, lyrically intelligent (without pretentiousness), and underpinned by solid grooves. With each new release, her voice has become richer, more capable, and laced with nuance and subtle expressiveness. Simply put, there is no-one else like her.

Description

The artist, lead singer and song writer Beady Belle will release her first album as a solo artist in May 2016. The Beady Belle band split up in 2015. The Beady Belle artist will from now on continue the journey on her own. The new album is symbolically entitled "On my own".
On this new album (as also on all the previous Beady Belle albums) she has written all the music and lyrics. The famous jazz pianist, Bugge Wesseltoft is the producer of this new album and he also plays all the keyboards (Grand piano and Fender Rhodes).
Beady Belle followed her dream. The "On my own" album was recorded in New York City, with world class American jazz musicians; Gregory Hutchinson (drums), Reuben Rogers (bass) and Joshua Redman (saxophone). The atmosphere from the pulsating city was successfully captured into the intimate recording studio on Manhattan. All songs live recorded.
The sound of the album gives associations to the 70s. Recorded at Eastside Sound Studio (established in 1972) - with acoustic drums, double bass, grand piano and Fender Rhodes.
There's a feeling of excellence. All the way from the sublime lyrics, the strong songs, the virtuoso musicians in the band and the featuring soloist to the intimately soft lead vocal. It's playful yet under control. Smooth yet with friction that bites.
The songs are: melodic, groovy, powerful and alive! Each song is a mixture treat of genres - jazz, pop, soul and R&B - simply Beady Belle.
Beady Belle (the band) is dead; long live Beady Belle (the solo artist).

Beady Belle (Beate S. Lech) returns with her new album – the appropriately titled "On My Own" – on Jazzland Recordings.
Recorded at Eastside Sound Studio in New York City, the album features a strong – but not overpowering – undercurrent of 70s soul and vocal jazz, mixtures of intimacy and exuberance, and pulsations both urban and urbane. The musicians include Bugge Wessletoft (who is also the album's producer) on keys, Gregory Hutchinson on drums, Reuben Rogers on bass and Joshua Redman on saxophone. While primarily an album of superb songs highlighting Beady's honey-smooth-yet-gutsy voice, the musicians are given plenty of room to shine, with high-end solos and great chops on display. Beady's compositional and lyrical skills are also showcased here as never before, offering us further dimensions only hinted at on previous releases. Melodically gripping, harmonically intricate, lyrically intelligent (without pretentiousness), and underpinned by solid grooves, the songs mine rich seams to bring many treasures for fans and newcomers alike. Whether warm and easygoing like a smoky late evening bar, or bright and sunny (with your iced coffee of choice), the album moves through a huge variety of moods, hues and colors, tones and shades.

Further backline support comes from Mathias Eick, whose plaintive trumpet lines weave gracefully with Beady Bell's vocals, while Audun Sandvik's cello on "Almost" adds a unique resonance that lends the song a cinematic quality. Torun Eriksen and Anja Martine Mørk accompany on backing vocals with a high level of perfection, sounding as one. The album's guitar chops are provided by Fran Cathcart, and round out the diverse palette that constitutes a jewel in the Beady Belle crown.
However, the true glint of that jewel is, as always, the stunning voice of Beady Belle herself, plaintive, seductive, exuberant, moody, evocative and unique. With each new release, Beady Belle's voice has become richer, more capable, and laced with nuance and subtle expressiveness. Simply put, there is no-one else like her.

Music and lyrics by Beady Belle
Produced by Bugge Wesseltoft
Lead vocal: Beady Belle
Grand piano and Fender Rhodes: Bugge Wesseltoft
Drums: Gregory Hutchinson
Acoustic bass: Reuben Rogers
Saxophone: Joshua Redman
Background vocals: Torun Eriksen, Anja Martine Mørk and Beady Belle
Trumpet: Mathias Eick
Cello: Audun Sandvik
Guitar: Fran Cathcart
Percussion: Bugge Wesseltoft

Recorded by Fran Cathcart at Eastside Sound Studio (New York City), Buggesroom (Oslo) and at Beady Belle's studio (Oslo)
Joshua Redman saxophone recorded by Jeff Cressman at Cressman Music Studios (San Fransisco) Mixed by Fran Cathcart at Buggesroom (Oslo) Mastered by Alex Saltz at APS
Mastering Edits and additional recordings by Bugge Wesseltoft at Buggesroom
Instrumental arrangements by Bugge Wesseltoft
Vocal arrangements by Beady Belle