With his career as a solo artist nearing a third decade, it's incredible to hear David Byrne's first fully fledged solo effort sounding remarkably fresh and massively influential. Commissioned as the aural accompaniment to a Twyla Tharp Broadway production of the same name, The Catherine Wheel was recorded with a number of musicians from the Talking Heads' then-current touring band (Adrian Belew, Bernie Worrell, Steve Scales), features contributions from Eno, Jerry Harrison and percussionist Yogi Horton, and serves as a bridge between the brooding churn of Remain in Light and the dense funk of Speaking in Tongues. The Catherine Wheel isn't a light affair by any means, but the focus is less reliant on Byrne's lyrical prowess and directed more so on minimalist funk, spacious polyrhythms and creating an atmosphere of dark tension and general unease. The Talking Heads worked a few of the songs here into their live repertoire, including the magnificent "What a Day That Was" and "Big Business", which was often worked into a medley with "I Zimbra," and could've counted The Catherine Wheel as one of the finest additions to their catalog, had it bore their name along the top. The fact that it's a Byrne solo affair only heightens its impact. The version here includes the complete score.
Showing posts with label Bernie Worrell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bernie Worrell. Show all posts
Wednesday
David Byrne
The Catherine Wheel - 1981
With his career as a solo artist nearing a third decade, it's incredible to hear David Byrne's first fully fledged solo effort sounding remarkably fresh and massively influential. Commissioned as the aural accompaniment to a Twyla Tharp Broadway production of the same name, The Catherine Wheel was recorded with a number of musicians from the Talking Heads' then-current touring band (Adrian Belew, Bernie Worrell, Steve Scales), features contributions from Eno, Jerry Harrison and percussionist Yogi Horton, and serves as a bridge between the brooding churn of Remain in Light and the dense funk of Speaking in Tongues. The Catherine Wheel isn't a light affair by any means, but the focus is less reliant on Byrne's lyrical prowess and directed more so on minimalist funk, spacious polyrhythms and creating an atmosphere of dark tension and general unease. The Talking Heads worked a few of the songs here into their live repertoire, including the magnificent "What a Day That Was" and "Big Business", which was often worked into a medley with "I Zimbra," and could've counted The Catherine Wheel as one of the finest additions to their catalog, had it bore their name along the top. The fact that it's a Byrne solo affair only heightens its impact. The version here includes the complete score.
With his career as a solo artist nearing a third decade, it's incredible to hear David Byrne's first fully fledged solo effort sounding remarkably fresh and massively influential. Commissioned as the aural accompaniment to a Twyla Tharp Broadway production of the same name, The Catherine Wheel was recorded with a number of musicians from the Talking Heads' then-current touring band (Adrian Belew, Bernie Worrell, Steve Scales), features contributions from Eno, Jerry Harrison and percussionist Yogi Horton, and serves as a bridge between the brooding churn of Remain in Light and the dense funk of Speaking in Tongues. The Catherine Wheel isn't a light affair by any means, but the focus is less reliant on Byrne's lyrical prowess and directed more so on minimalist funk, spacious polyrhythms and creating an atmosphere of dark tension and general unease. The Talking Heads worked a few of the songs here into their live repertoire, including the magnificent "What a Day That Was" and "Big Business", which was often worked into a medley with "I Zimbra," and could've counted The Catherine Wheel as one of the finest additions to their catalog, had it bore their name along the top. The fact that it's a Byrne solo affair only heightens its impact. The version here includes the complete score.
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