   
|
Lo-fi periodAfter studying at Nottingham Trent University, Stephen Jones became involved with an experimental theatre company, Dogs in Honey, in Sheffield in the late 1980s, writing songs for productions. Amassing over 400 home demo recordings, produced in his and other people's homes, he gained a publishing contract with Chrysalis Music in 1994. However, he was unable to gain a recording contract, and self-financed the release 5,000 copies of an album under the name Baby Bird, I Was Born a Man, comprising 13 of the best from his collection of home demos. The LP was a lo-fi indie affair, with voice, guitar, keyboards and drum machine recorded on 4-track tape recorder. The reception for the record was extremely positive after it was picked up by the British radio DJ John Peel, leading quickly to a decision to release, over a period, four further albums of demo recordings and to form a band in order to tour.
Babybird the bandDuring the second half of 1995, Stephen toured relentlessly with Huw Chadbourne (keyboards), Robert Gregory (drums), John Pedder (bass) and Luke Scott (guitar), and released two further collections of demos Bad Shave and Fatherhood (a fourth album, The Happiest Man Alive was released in early 1996). At this time, Stephen as a solo artist retained the name Baby Bird, whilst the work of the band was distinguished by the name Babybird. By the end of the year, a decent public following had been built up, as well as quite considerable excitement within the press and music industry. Babybird were signed to Echo Records (a division of the Chrysalis Group), and the first "proper" single, a full-band recording of "Goodnight", which had appeared in demo form on Fatherhood, was eventually released in the summer of 1996, becoming a minor chart hit in the UK.
"You're Gorgeous"The second single, "You're Gorgeous", reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in October 1996, and was also one of the biggest selling singles of the year, going on to chart around the world. This remains the song for which Stephen Jones, and Babybird, are best known. However, it presented a much more commercial face to the public in comparison to Jones' previous work. The early demo albums won Jones great credibility with those who heard them, but had had not reached a wide audience (each one being a one-off pressing). Arguably, the commercial sound and success of "You're Gorgeous", which received massive exposure by comparison, made it hard for many to take Jones seriously as an indie artist. Essentially, what he was best at was no longer what he was best known for.
| |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Home
Contact
Resources
Exchange Links
eBay
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Lots to choose from: baby clothing, books, toys, baby feeding, car seats, bedding and much more. Discover best deals on many one of a kind baby supplies at bargain prices!
Home
Baby Names
