Customer Reviews

Birdseye

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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...

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!

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!

This man sings the most beautiful music I've ever heard. The strange, beautiful lyrics are so cool! I love you Tony!!!!!!!!!!!

After hearing words, I couldn't get enough of Tony Rich and immediately bought his second album. This may just be the album to replace Words as my favorite album of all times.

In many ways, the albums are the same. Both end shortly after 40 minutes of play. Both are penned, produced and sung by Tony Rich. Both are amazing.

However, this album seems to have replaced the sadness that filled the tracks of Words with a lighthearted feeling of rejoice over the wonders of life.

The first two songs of the album, Birdseye and Silly Man seem at times, to have rather... strange lyrics. "But I found you/ So I'll bake you a chocolate cake" comes to mind. However, the simpleness of the songs reflects as someone else here put it best, that in love, you feel this easygoing relaxedness and just say what you like. And these songs embody that feeling, I listen to them and I can't help but feel uplifted and relaxed.

Song 3, my personal favorite, is incredibly catchy and reiterates that feeling of happiness in the world. Where "Grass is Green" on Words talked about living life hard and contemplating suicide, "No Time Soon" says while life had been that way, things improved and now, there's no reason to leave this world. The song is uplifting and gets the emotions running high.

The album then enters a somber state, pleading with a lost loved one to come back and take him away. The rest of the songs arouse all sorts of emotions and never fail to show a great deal of heart in Tony's voice. Tony pleads, rejoices and cries about the way things are. And in every action, the listener is right there beside him. Lamenting over the pains he feels in his stomach as he fights the loss of the loved one, exhibiting empathy towards the woman who is stuck in a horrible relationship but has no idea how to get out of it, and exemplifying all the feelings that run through a persons mind, Tony does it all.

This album is brilliant, evidence of the sorrowful state R&B has entered today. The world needs Tony Rich to remind it what can be done with music. I recommend this album to anyone.

I loved "Words". That is why a friend gave me "Birdseye" as a present. True, the first time I listen to it, I thought it lacked the power of "Words". But then, I came to understand how perfect it was as an album. The music, the lyrics and the voice!! It is so beautiful. I kept listening to it ever since and never had enough of it. And I don't really see why people compare Tony Rich with Babyface. I love Babyface as a song writer, he is great, but I never though he was as great as a singer. Not as good as Tony Rich. He is so good. And I mean, whoever who love his first album (not only "Nobody knows" but the album) should love this one too.

the best thing to happen to r&b since mario winans album "story of my heart". tony rich is my musical idol.

the first time that Iever heard tony rich i was in high school and noboby knows came on mtv. I was mesmerized the song was so great, I could never afford the cd but really enjoyed listening to my my mothers copy. Anyway I bought the Cd at a used price because I would like to support Great artists in anyway I can, I bought the sophmore albul and was just as pleased as whenI bougththe first. Tony keep up the good work, your fans are all that matters, not even the grammys matter you won a grammy in my eyes, for best artist, with skills like that who needs to be nominated for an award they are way too talented to receive. There is no award for Tony Richs' skills he is phenomenal.

TO ME THE TWO BEST ALBUMS ON EARTH ARE WORDS AND BIRDSEYE. THE SONGS ARE COMING STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART ,THEY 'RE REAL . WELL TO ME THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND EXPRESSIVE VOICE , LIRICS AND PRODUCTION IN THE WORLD . TONY RICH YOU'RE THE BEST.

This CD is the bomb! I am very disappointed that this album was ignored by the board of the Grammy awards, who usually recognizes the albums that may not have sold well but are artistically strong. Like the reviews before me, there is not one song that I do not like (or love). It is perfect to relate for your own relationships or to just sing along. This album, to me, far surpasses 'Words' in music quality, lyrics, and harmony. Tony Rich is 'the man' on the sneak tip.