BARBER, BARBER & BAKER

Liz Baker & Ginger had three children - Nettie, Kofi & Lita.   They all suffered from the ups and downs of a musician father compounded by his addiction to heroin.  Liz inevitably divorced Ginger but the kids survived and seem, from everything I've heard & read, to be balanced human beings.  Nettie now look's back on the past with much humour and balanced cynicism while Lita is making a living like any of us.  Kofi, however, couldn't resist the beat of the drums. 

Chris & Jeremy Barber are two multi-instrumentalists with both playing guitar and bass.  Chris also sings and Jeremy adds violin to his instrumental range.   There influences are diverse - blues, rock, heavy metal & jazz.  Like Kofi, they have been playing music from an early age (8 & 6 years respectively) and it shows with their confident techniques and willingness to take chances.

The music is a product of a generation that has access to a huge array of music and thus is itself diverse.  Too many bands target their music and it becomes one dimensional - after a few songs, or listens, it becomes boring.  With the Barber brothers and their drummer Kofi Baker, it is all surprises.  You simply don't know what to expect.

'The Church of Rock and Roll Band' is an apt name - these guys love it in all its apsects.  Sometimes their influences are abvious - Chris's vocals have more then a passing nod to Jim Morrison and the drums show the parental influence.  But no musician, expecially at the start of careers, is any different.  At other times its all stirred up and their own sound -  recording was spread over two years (96-98).   In some aspects it reminds me of  'The Tea Party' but with a stronger jazz influence and a much better drummer. The songs are group compositions except for the Lennon/McCartney "Tommorrow Never Knows", the performance of which is based on the '801 Live' (Phil Manzanera/Brian Eno) arrangement of 1976.

'Prelude to Sun' is a Jeremy Barber album from 1999,  with Kofi again on drums.  Chris guests on a couple of tracks with Jeffrey Leonetti doing the vocals.   Lita Baker plays bass on one track.  And really I can't categorise it - its just one of those albums that is so diverse. 

It really is a pleasure to hear something like this - young guys developing their own sound.  Even better, they are excellent and intelligent muscicians.  Unfortunately they are too intelligent for the music industry and have to go it alone.

Contact Chris at www.popsweatshop.com and get a copy.