Search - Tony Rich :: Birdseye

Tony Rich
Birdseye
Genres: Pop, R&B, Rock

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. No Time Soon - (with Eric Clapton)
2. Silly Man - (with Eric Clapton)
3. Birdseye
4. Bed
5. If You're An Angel
6. Thoughts Of Leavin'
7. Ain't No Laughing
8. Blue Butterfly
9. My Stomach Hurts
10. Cool Like That

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CD Details

All Artists: Tony Rich
Title: Birdseye
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 3
Label: La Face
Original Release Date: 8/11/1998
Release Date: 8/11/1998
Genres: Pop, R&B, Rock
Styles: Vocal Pop, Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 730082604222

Synopsis

Amazon.com

You have to love any guy who compares the loss of a loved one to acid reflux, especially when that guy is supposed to be some kind of love man. Now, to be sure, Tony Rich's sophomore CD is filled with songs all about, surprise, sex, and love. But the low-key Lothario works his love jones with cleverness and lyrical twists and turns. Even at his most metaphoric (what is a "bed of the heart"?), Rich still can pull hooks, choruses, and off-the-beaten-path imagery out of his trick bag. Rich creates lilting love songs about the act of not killing oneself ("No Time Soon," which features slide guitar from Eric Clapton) and delivers the finger-popping title track, wherein the object of desire is described as "having Halle's eyes." Even with generic missteps such as "Cool Like That," Rich here takes a giant leap forward into the ranks of Real Songwriters. Too bad he can't claim to make the same moves when it comes to his vocals. Once tagged as just a (gifted) Babyface wannabe, Rich has upped the ante by adding Prince's dulcet tones to his pantheon of musical mimicry. Now, I guess you can't help sounding the way you do, but couldn't Rich could try to alter his phrasing just a little? Because as skilled as he is, he's still sort of faceless, and you never get to know just who the guy who writes the songs really is. --Amy Linden

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CD Reviews

Simply Beautiful...

essence_uk | 06/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps resigned to never reaching the commerical chart peaks of his debut single "Nobody Knows", Tony just relaxed and spoke from the heart on this, his second LP...These songs are of rare beauty and like many of his "neo-soul" labelled contemporaries he nods to influences (Prince being an obvious example) of a bygone era while all the while keeping his own individual style.Lyrically, here he may even improve on the heady heights of his excellent debut album of three years previous "Words". He is very open and emotional while never coming off as insincere or making cynical attempts to be anything other than what he is.The album as a whole is tremendous although personal favourites would be "If You're An Angel" and "My Stomach Hurts", both in which he bares his very soul.Eric Clapton features (Returning favour for Tony's work on his album of same year) with three guitar guest slots, but as always it's Mr Rich pulling the strings, writing and producing all but one of these lush, sonic landscapes.Tony has been relatively quiet since "Birdseye" and it would be a tragedy if this this album proves to be the last we ever hear from him. I am certain modern masterpieces like this and "Words" touched listeners very deeply (they did me) and he deserves far more credit as such..."

A true artist on the rise

iamwere | Green | 05/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tony Rich is one of very few quality singer/songwriters in R&B these days--a true artist with real talent. His debut "Words" was a wonderful album, and it deserves a great deal of praise. However, "Birdseye" proves that the first one was not an accident. Granted, Tony definitely sets off a totally different vibe this time around [his first CD was almost dark at times and always serious] but it is refreshing music. Plain and simple: He didn't take himself too seriously this time around and a lot of critics disliked it. It takes a true artist, however, to come out with a sophomore album in which he actually has some fun with the songs and is playful. Some songs like "Silly Man" and "Birdseye" really set the tone for the CD by letting the listener know that love and relationships can spawn easygoing songs, too. And songs like "Bed" and "No Time Soon" are filled with so much emotion that they just fill me with joy. Tony rich is a talented man--there is not doubt about that. He plays almost every instrument and he produces as well. But it is the combination of these elements along with his playfulness and soulful lyrics that make him a true artist. His sound is far from the syncopated and repetitious nonesense that fills most R&B these days. This CD should not be overlooked by fans or by people who are looking for a beautiful album with absolutely no filler. Give this a try, PEOPLE!"

Great cd, very brilliant

face02 | 10/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This man sings the most beautiful music I've ever heard. The strange, beautiful lyrics are so cool! I love you Tony!!!!!!!!!!!"

Incredible, simply incredible

M. Fyffe | 04/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing words, I couldn't get enough of Tony Rich and immediately bought his second album. This may just be the album to replace Words as my favorite album of all times.

In many ways, the albums are the same. Both end shortly after 40 minutes of play. Both are penned, produced and sung by Tony Rich. Both are amazing.

However, this album seems to have replaced the sadness that filled the tracks of Words with a lighthearted feeling of rejoice over the wonders of life.

The first two songs of the album, Birdseye and Silly Man seem at times, to have rather... strange lyrics. "But I found you/ So I'll bake you a chocolate cake" comes to mind. However, the simpleness of the songs reflects as someone else here put it best, that in love, you feel this easygoing relaxedness and just say what you like. And these songs embody that feeling, I listen to them and I can't help but feel uplifted and relaxed.

Song 3, my personal favorite, is incredibly catchy and reiterates that feeling of happiness in the world. Where "Grass is Green" on Words talked about living life hard and contemplating suicide, "No Time Soon" says while life had been that way, things improved and now, there's no reason to leave this world. The song is uplifting and gets the emotions running high.

The album then enters a somber state, pleading with a lost loved one to come back and take him away. The rest of the songs arouse all sorts of emotions and never fail to show a great deal of heart in Tony's voice. Tony pleads, rejoices and cries about the way things are. And in every action, the listener is right there beside him. Lamenting over the pains he feels in his stomach as he fights the loss of the loved one, exhibiting empathy towards the woman who is stuck in a horrible relationship but has no idea how to get out of it, and exemplifying all the feelings that run through a persons mind, Tony does it all.

This album is brilliant, evidence of the sorrowful state R&B has entered today. The world needs Tony Rich to remind it what can be done with music. I recommend this album to anyone.

"