Dedication Beady Belle

• 1 Mercy 03:55
• 2 Out of Orbit 04:30
• 3 I Run You Ragged 03:33
• 4 Traces_ 05:38
• 5 Hold Your Breath 03:47
• 6 Dedication 03:09
• 7 Mooring Line 05:21
• 8 Waste of Grace 02:59
• 9 My Religion 05:07
• 10 Last Drop of Blood 05:37
• 11 Can You Smile_ 03:57
• Total Runtime 47:33

Info zu Dedication

Beady Belle is back. Wurde das letzte Album der norwegischen Sängerin noch mit einer akustischen Jazzband in New York City aufgenommen, wendet sich Beate S. Lech auf dem in ihrer Heimat Oslo aufgenommenen Dedication wieder elektrischen Pop-Sounds zu. Selbstverständlich, ohne ihre sensiblen Soul- und Gospel-Wurzeln zu verleugnen.

»Das Album ist eine erneute Verneigung vor meinen Helden Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway und Aretha Franklin«, sagt die Sängerin, die am 10. April 44 Jahre alt wird. »Gleichzeitig flüsterten mir während der Sessions jüngere Künstler wie Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill und Frank Ocean ins Ohr.« Dedication bezieht sich auf die Hingabe für all das, für das es sich zu kämpfen lohnt: sei es ein rauschender Triumph oder einfach nur ein kurzer Moment des Glücks. Auch diesmal hat Beady Belle komplett im Alleingang komponiert – Musik voller Abgründe und Euphorie. Und Texte, die eine erhebende Kraft besitzen, die Mut machen.

Beady Belle versteht es, die großen Fragen zu stellen, so nach dem Wert der Schönheit in einer kalten Welt (Waste of Grace). Die Norwegerin verliert auf ihrem achten Album keine Zeit: Mercy zeigt mit schneidigen Funk-Synthies sofort, wohin die Reise geht. Mooring Lines bringt mitsingbare Kate-Bush-Anleihen mit und Last Drop of Blood flirtet gar mit Disco-Grooves.

Wie immer bei Beady Belle macht sich ihre Liebe zum Gospel bemerkbar, insbesondere auf Traces, das sich zu einem Funk-Kracher entwickelt, der Stevie Wonder alle Ehre gemacht hätte. Bewegender noch: das jazzige Waste of Grace oder das hymnische Hold your breath.

Dedication wurde live in einem Osloer Studio mit Beady Belles neuem Quartett aufgenommen: zu ihrem langjährigen Bassisten und Ehemann Marius Reksjø gesellten sich Drummer Bjørn Sæther und Tastenmann David Wallumrød. Wallumrød zählt zu den gefragtesten Keyboardern Norwegens. Hier ist er nicht nur an unzähligen Keyboards und Vintage-Synthesizern zu hören, sondern glänzt auch an Gitarre, Glockenspiel und Kastenzither.

Beady Belle hat schon Neo-Soul aufgenommen, Elektronisches, Country und Jazz – stets geprägt von einer uneingeschränkten Verehrung für Soul und R&B. Die Frau mit der samtig-verführerischen Stimme hat schon immer Pop-Musik komponiert, mit einem untrüglichen Gespür für eingängige Melodien. »Meine Musik mag sich mit jedem Release verändert haben. Doch ich versuche immer, Freude und Traurigkeit gleichzeitig zu vermitteln. Das ist für mich Aufrichtigkeit.«

Beady Belle, vocals
David Wallumrød, synthesizers, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Hammond organ, grand piano, electric guitar, auto harp, glockenspiel
Bjørn Charles Dreyer, sitar
Marius Reksjø, bass
Bjørn Sæther, drums, shaker, tambourine
Martin Windstad, percussion
LaDonna Harley-Peters Sharlene Hector, backing vocals
Vula Malinga - LaSharVu, backing vocals

Beady Belle
is one of the freshest new sounds to come out of the left-of-field music underground of Norway. A collaboration between singer Beate Lech and bassist Marius Reksjo, Beady Belle's debut album *Home* is a sensuous mosaic of sound that draws on the vast libraries of jazz, pop, techno, drums n' bass and ambient to reveal the essence of Beate's stunning live performances yet manages to combine it with the deliberate strategies of her creative musicianship.

In 1999 Beate was asked by Bugge Wesseltoft to make a record for Jazzland rec. The company gave her the artistic freedom to make the recording she wanted. As the project progressed, Marius began to help out. He took care of the groove elements while Beate composed the melodies, harmonies and lyrics, with some exceptions both ways. The product of this work, done in their private surroundings, would be entitled 'Home'. The original project title 'Beate S. Lech' was abandoned. 'Beady Belle' was formed and the duo worked concretely for one and a half years producing their new record.

'Home' was released all over Europe and also in Japan, Korea and Canada during the summer 2001. Later it was also released in Australia. Beady Belle was given 'European Priority' by Universal International. After the release of the 'Home' album, Beady Belle travelled around the world performing their music.

The work with cd number 2 started the spring 2002 and was named 'CEWBEAGAPPIC' – the title was an attempt at describing Beady Belle’s music (Complex + Easy, White + Black, Electronic + Acoustic, Groovy + Ambient, Played + Programmed, Improvised + Composed).

Beady Belle’s third album, 'Closer', was released in 2005. Beate and Marius set off to fine-tune their creative output. Beate says, "We've tried to make an album that’s closer to the listener, for the most part taking away embellishments and emphasizing the essence of the music. The strings don’t have the purpose of being lushly arranged harmonies, but serve to bring the musical theme into the foreground. Even the sound of the strings are sharper, clearer. And one can hear the breath of the musicians."

In the three years since the 'Closer' release, the members of the band went through a number of changes. Perhaps the most personal being Beate becoming a mother, which influenced the direction of the newest album. Another big change was the addition of new band member, drummer Erik Holm.

Beady Belle have enjoyed the support and encouragement of some big international artists. In 2005 they performed as Jamie Cullum’s supporting act on a tour, and in 2006 they collaborated with India Arie on the funky duet 'Self-fulfilling' to be found on Beady Belle’s fourth album 'Belvedere'. The first single from that album was 'Intermission music' featuring Jamie Cullum.

After the release of this album, the band has toured many places in Europe and America, but the new thing is that thay also played all over Norway! Finally Beady Belle got a big Norwegian audience as well.

Beady Belle’s fifth album 'At Welding Bridge' was released September 2010. This album is a synthesis - or a welding - between the first three albums - on the one hand - and the fourth album - on the other. The majority of 'At Welding Bridge' takes many of the musical conventions of country music, sets up expectation of the predictable country course, only to jump sideways into a purely urban cool jazz style, or have that vibe dissipate in a smoky haze of smooth soul cool.

Beady Belle’s approach has been one of steadfast commitment to their sound, gradually evolving, coaxing new elements to blossom that had previously only been hinted at, augmenting it with new elements, creating a consistently strong body of music, each step more confident than the last. To compare this album with 'Home', it is easy to hear just how much ground they have covered in just 9 years. Just like its predecessors, 'At Welding Bridge' is shot through with genuine warmth, heart, and - yes! - soul. Pure soul! (Source: scandinaviansoul.com)

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet