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For their 13th album and in their 25th year together, post-punk, art-rock pioneers Birdsongs of the Mesozoic do a 180 degree musical swerve and link up with bass-baritone vocalist Oral Moses, one of the preeminent African-American performers of traditional spirituals. The band demolish all preconceptions about themselves by presenting a program of heavily rearranged, well known African-American spirituals and 19th century art songs. The blend of Birdsongs' cutting-edge instrumentation with the strength and majesty of Moses' voice creates a very unorthodox yet deeply moving sound, which The Noise called, "Totally sublime and deeply moving." This collaboration represents a new experiment from all parties - something of a meeting at the crossroads between two creative parties passing in very different directions. Together they bring these centuries-old songs kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic began in 1980 as a side project by half of Boston’s now legendary Mission Of Burma: Roger Miller and Martin Swope along with friends Rick Scott and Erik Lindgren. In 1987, Roger Miller left the group and was replaced by saxophonist Ken Field. In 1992, guitarist Michael Bierylo replaced Martin Swope. This is the 4th release to feature the current lineup of the band.
This is an album that will surprise and please fans of spirituals and Birdsongs and the sheer novelty of what these musicians are doing here is certain to get attention in the press and on non-commercial radio!
Birdsongs’ instrumentation is as striking as their music: two keyboards, guitar and saxophone blend with electronic and ‘real’ percussion.
Birdsongs and Oral will be performing together on the east coast and beyond in support of Extreme Spirituals.
As Oral has noted, “These aren’t just African-American songs-these are American songs.”
- Style:Avant Garde
- Record Label:Cuneiform