Brendan Campbell - The Twilight Bird EP (2008)
In the intimate surroundings of the Old Queen’s Head pub in London, UK, Brendan Campbell announced to the crowd with his soft Glaswegian tones that he wasn’t feeling too great. Seconds earlier, he’d stopped singing a few seconds into his fourth song of the evening, “Venice”.
Watching a musician concentrate on stage is far from a new phenomenon. However, seeing someone focused on forcing back the contents of their stomach back down their throat can be classed as pretty damn rock ‘n’ roll.
Stomach ulcers aside, Brendan battled on through the pain barrier and still achieved the stunning vocal harmonies that he is becoming much feted for. His lyrical talent leads to inevitable yet enviable comparisons with the likes of Bob Dylan and Elliott Smith.
The lyrics of his dreamy first single, Burgers and Murders, highlight not just his ability but also his sense of humour - ‘Speak to the pigeons/maybe they speak Turkish too’. His guitar strumming also mirrors his vocal ability - it’s of exceptional quality with an impressive pace.
Fittingly, Campbell closes his set with “Mr. Robinson” – the final song on his recent debut release, the Twilight Bird EP, which is available now from digital retailers. It’s a beautiful record that uses the lack of post-production as an asset rather than a flaw.
Many singer/songwriters before him have attempted to create a marriage of convincing lyrics and catchy harmonies, yet Campbell appears to be well on his way to mastering the art - he just might need some painkillers.
MP3: Burgers and Murders from Twilight Bird EP
Also published at the Daily Rind Blog
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