Parables by James Bird
Looking back, I wrote Parables in a time where I felt really lost, looking for the faintest shimmer of light in the darkest of places. The album began coming through in a lonely gap year I took in 2012 before going to Keene State College. I finished writing the album at Keene, amongst dear friends whose support and encouragement made it possible. It was a journey from isolation to dear friendship/community/love.
The album tells a story, which I obsessed over for months and months. It tells the story of a young man, fraught with immense anger at a world that is filled with hatred and violence. He faces this issue with force, looking outwardly, with a very "yang" approach. When there is a burning question in our hearts, we often are pulled along on a journey to answer it.
James meets a temptress, Miss Molly, who takes the life of his brother, which sends him into grief, thinking deeply about right and wrong. Going through this duality, he moves into deeper inner spaces, where he meets a wise man who tells him, "Your love awaits you in the land of Anchor Ridge, where students yearn to learn, lovers love and all questions are answered." As he journeys to the fabled land, he falls in love with a woman who he chooses to sail with. But a storm approaches that will bring his final revelation.
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James Bird- Vocals, guitar, drums, bass
Also, I made a point to make this album as raw and natural as possible. We didn't use tons of production nor did we use auto-tune.
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Tracklist
| 1. | Mr. Officer | 3:31 |
| 2. | Seeing As Is | 1:19 |
| 3. | Miss Molly | 4:05 |
| 4. | Turn Me Right From Wrong | 5:01 |
| 5. | Transcending Darkness | 2:21 |
| 6. | Anchor Ridge | 4:17 |
| 7. | Truly Seek Truth | 3:46 |
| 8. | The Sea, My Lover, and Me | 3:17 |
| 9. | Awakening From The Great Dream | 5:21 |
| 10. | Lighthouse | 5:51 |
Credits
This album was recorded by my dear friend William Boynton, who recorded this album in 9 days and then mixed it for over 2 months. My gratitude is beyond words ~ In 2017, Will passed away onto his next extraordinary adventure. I miss and love him dearly.
Thank you to Jesse Ciarmataro for mastering this album very last minute! Thank you to Daneil Alvarez de Toledo for your added piano! Thank you to John Landergan, Adam Bouchard and Seanna Flynn for their added vocals! Thank you my family, the family of LOLB, Lydia Huebenthal, and all who I have met along the way whose love was transmuted into Parables.
License
All rights reserved.
James Bird is akin to a bard from ancient times, wandering forests barefoot to find the songs in the wind. Hailing from Shelburne Falls, James is a multi-instrumentalist and poet who aims to invite magic out of the seemingly ordinary. Drawing upon threads of mythology, mysticism and personal experience, James weaves melodic music that is eclectic, thought-provoking, and empowering.