Birdseye

Tony Rich | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: La Face
• ASIN: B000009NS4
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,964 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #52 in Music > R&B > Neo-Soul

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful..., June 28, 2002

By 

"essence_uk" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birdseye (Audio CD)

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...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true artist on the rise, May 19, 2000

By 

"iamwere" (Green) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birdseye (Audio CD)

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing album, that was sadly overlooked!, January 31, 2002

By 

face02 (Schaumburg, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birdseye (Audio CD)

This is one of the best R&B albums that I own, and I own A TON! This album was a little too ahead of its time, and a little too mature for commercial airplay. It might fit in nicely now, in the world of Jill Scott, Blial, and Alicia Keys.
I haven't ever heard any of these songs on the radio, but that is fine with me. This is one of those albums that you have to take a leap, and just purchase based on either the recommendations of others or your love of the artist's past work. For me, I fell in love HARD with Tony's debut album. Just about everything on it was wonderful. A beautiful mix of acoustic guitar, classic soul music, and understated songwriting.
On the follow up, he grows even more as a songwriter - while providing even greater music to back him up. While on his debut there were songs that I skipped consistently, I didn't find one that I didn't love on this one. None of the songs sounded too this, or too that... everything sounds just right today, just as it did the day I bought it years ago!
The standouts on the album are probably Birdseye, If You're an Angel, Thoughts of Leavin', and My Stomach Hurts. The sensitivity that bleeds through the lyrics on the album will blow you away, as will the great instrumentation. Tony Rich does have a unique sound. He isn't quite classic soul, he isn't quite rock, and he isn't quite folk. He takes the best elements of those three genres, and blends them together for your enjoyment.
Who cares that this album didn't get airplay? I didn't, and I still don't. If you are looking for a diamond in the rough, you can stop your search!