| Description |
Home by Beady Belle (Audio CD - 2001)
Separate FLACs, scans, audiochecker log
Cewbeagappic by Beady Belle (Audio CD - 2003)
Separate FLACs, scans, audiochecker log
Closer by Beady Belle (Audio CD - 2005)
Separate FLACs, scans, audiochecker log
Belvedere by Beady Belle (Audio CD - 2008)
Separate FLACs, scans, audiochecker log
BIOGRAPHY
Beady Belle is the result of collaboration between Beate S. Lech and Marius Reksj? which began at the University of Oslo. As music students the two started playing together in bands such as "Insertcoin" and "Folk & R?vere", a project where Beate was the lead singer up until their third album (1999).
In 1999 Beate was asked by Bugge Wesseltoft to make a record for Jazzland rec. The company gave her the artistic freedom to make the recording she wanted. In the early stages, Beate took on all of the work herself; composing, arranging, text writing, programming, recording and producing. She did as much as possible in her 6 sq. meter flat with her Macintosh. Most of the music was recorded in her flat, and for lack of space, the strings, vibraphone and drums had to be recorded in Bugge's Room. As the project progressed, Marius began to help out. He took care of the groove elements while Beate composed the melodies, harmonies and lyrics, with some exceptions both ways. The product of this work, done in their private surroundings, would be entitled "Home".
Marius' contribution to the album was tremendous and the original project title "Beate S. Lech" was abandoned. "Beady Belle" was formed and the duo worked concretely for one and a half years producing their new record.
"Ghosts" became Beady Belle's first promo single in Norway. It was played extensively on Norwegian national radio. Their second single was "Lose and Win". In May 2001, Beady Belle's?first international single was released containing the songs "Ghosts" and "Moderation".
"Home" was released all over Europe and also in Japan, Korea and Canada during the summer 2001. Later it was also released in Australia. Beady Belle was given "European Priority" by Universal International. After the release of the "Home" album, Beady Belle traveled around the world performing their music (check "Concerts"). Beady Belle has, more or less, been on tour since their first release in 2001.
The work with cd number 2, "cewbeagappic" started the spring 2002. Once again, Beate and Marius did everything on their own - of course with a lot of help from many good musicians.
International singles were "Bella" and "When my anger starts to cry".
The title, CEWBEAGAPPIC, is an attempt at describing Beady Belle's music. Since they couldn't find the word in the dictionary, they made the word themselves:-) The word is built on contrasts:
CE stand for Complex + Easy
WB stand for White + Black
EA stand for Electronic + Acoustic
GA stand for Groovy + Ambient
PP stand for Played + Programmed
IC stand for Improvised + Composed
Beady Belle's third album, "Closer", was released in 2005. Beate and Marius set off to fine-tune their creative output. Beate says, "We've tried to make an album that's closer to the listener, for the most part taking away embellishments and emphasizing the essence of the music. The strings don't have the purpose of being lushly arranged harmonies, but serve to bring the musical theme into the foreground. Even the sound of the strings are sharper, clearer. And one can hear the breath of the musicians."
International singles from this album was "Skin-deep" and "Closer".
In the three year's since the "Closer" release, the members of the band went through a number of changes. Perhaps the most personal being Beate becoming a mother, which influenced the direction of the newest album. Another big change was the addition of new band member - drummer, Erik Holm.
Recently, Beady Belle has enjoyed the support and encouragement of some fantastic artists. After a concert in London during a European tour in 2005, the UK jazz/pop performer Jamie Cullum came backstage to talk with the band. He was a really big fan. That meeting sparked a big tour over UK + some concerts in Germany, France, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, with Beady Belle as Cullum's supporting act.
In 2006 another American soul/pop artist was on a promotion tour in Europe to promote her new album. This was India.Arie. She was interviewed by Trevor Nelson at BBC where she spoke for a long time about her favourite band: Beady Belle! Beady Belle contacted India.Arie to thank her for the wonderful words. This contact resulted in new collaborations and the funky duet, "Self-fulfilling", on Beady Belle's fourth album.
"Belvedere" is Beady Belle's fourth album. Released in February 2008. This album is leading the group into a smoother, more soulful and at times offers an almost "Nashville"-flavoured textural landscape. The colaboration between Beady Belle and Jamie Cullum continues, where he joins in on the duet - "Intermission music". The soulful, almost funky sound of "Belvedere" is enhanced by the sounds of Dobro, steel guitar, banjo, mandolin and marxophone thanks to the?skillful playing of Geir Sundst?l. J?rn ?ien still plays with his brilliant jazz approach, both grand piano, wurlitzer and other keyboards, as he has done on previous albums and tours. "Jarle Bernhoft is Norway's best male singer" according to Beate. When you hear his rough yet smoothe backing vocals on this album, you'll know what she means. "Belvedere" is a more down-to-earth sounding album, produced by the band and Anders Engen. As the literal meaning of "Belvedere" is "beautiful view", the album's nine tracks lay out before us the most beautiful sonic landscapes. If you let your ears see, then "Belvedere" will most certainly welcome you into very friendly territory.
First single from "Belvedere" was "Intermission music" featuring Jamie Cullum.
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