OK, granted, this guy is not a writer as such, though he does write some lyrics to his music. I just wanted to bring his music to everyone's attention. I just bought his latest album today, called "The Kind of Nothing Hill"
He is a bit difficult to classify, which is one reason I like him. I would probably describe his music as "jazz noir." It is mostly instrumental, sometimes very brassy, sometimes slightly electro, never rock as such. Some of it is cover versions, such as The Man With The Golden Arm (not on this album). You would probably recognize some of it from TV or movies, as I think one of his pieces was on The Beach movie album.
Anyway, I just think he is hip beyond description, though certainly this is not for everyone.
Liana (not verified) | September 12, 2002 - 20:12
Is this the barry adamson that did the track with nick cave?
markbrown (not verified) | September 12, 2002 - 20:19
I really like Barry Adamson, track three of 'Soul Murder', the big faux radio broadcast about a lynching. Top, if a bit disturbing.
justyn_thyme (not verified) | September 12, 2002 - 21:16
I don't know if he did anything with Nick Cave.
And yes, much of his stuff is very unsettling, hence the noir description. Sometimes I play it over and over and over. Mood music, but you have to be careful of that particular mood.
markbrown (not verified) | September 12, 2002 - 21:32
Wasn't he in the bad seeds for a bit? I know he started out in Magazine.
markbrown (not verified) | September 12, 2002 - 21:59
http://www.mute.com/mute/adamson/adamson_biog.htm
birthday party AND the bad seeds, whatta guy!
justyn_thyme (not verified) | September 13, 2002 - 06:53
Great info. I'd forgotten about The Lost Highway soundtrack. Only some of the music is Adamson's, but that is by far the hippest movie soundtract album I've ever heard, and one of the great movies of all time.
justyn_thyme (not verified) | September 13, 2002 - 07:50
*sighs* Just noticed typo in my original post: King not Kind. Doah!
And from that link I learned he is from Manchester! I knew he is black, but I had no idea he was British.
steve (not verified) | October 1, 2002 - 00:32
Jazz Devil is a fantastic track. And what a voice! And the bass playing's not bad either. Magazine, Birthday Party, Bad Seeds, solo: *envious, where has my life gone wrong moment*