Brian Baker - singer/songwriter/recording artist
Brian Baker
About "Hard Light "
Brian's latest CD is a cross continent achievement, with a reunion with his old partner from The Makers days - Eddie Rayner, contributing keyboards at Neil Finns studio in New Zealand, to Larry Bates, a pedal steel guitar player residing in Upstate New York. It's taken just on a year to complete - the bush fires raging around his studio in the Dandenong Ranges slowing down progress somewhat during the early part of 2009.
The songs on the new CD - where it all begins and ends for Brian - have emerged as something special. After attending several Pat Pattison songwriting seminars, and researching the art of song for himself, Brian's writing has become more rounded and complete, with his usually powerful lyrics developing into more accessible areas. Not many artists dare to take a song from a previous release and rewrite it, fewer can make the initial inspiration better, but Brian has worked to make "Ghost Life" and "Long way home" seem like new songs, fully realized.
The rhythm tracks were recorded at David Briggs' studio in Melbourne, the band - see video below - were Fallon Williams (ex Humble Pie and Steve Marriott) on drums, Mark Smith on guitar and Michael Arvanatakis on bass. Brian has been working with these excellent musicians for the last 3 years including doing some full on live shows. From there Brian traveled back to his birth land, New Zealand, to record the keyboards with Eddie Rayner. Eddie plays keyboards for Split Enz, and worked together with Brian in the early nineties as The Makers, releasing 2 CDs for Warner's. His input saw much change in the structure of the songs, including contributing to the title track, "Hard Light" and some great acoustic piano performances, which were recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Auckland.
Then it was back to Melbourne for vocals, and extra tracking in Brian's studio, before the final mixes were mastered at David Briggs's new mastering studio.
The CD is a triumph of perseverance for Baker, who, despite any major recognition for his songs, has continued to work and hone his considerable skill. While chart success and industry attention have not been fellow travelers, it's great to see an artist dedicated to his craft, and with this CD we can witness the benefits of Brian's steadfast passion for his work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian Baker is a singer/songwriter living in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne, Australia. After moving to Australia from New Zealand in 1980, he performed with many Australian bands, securing a recording deal with "The Ones" in 1984 and later writing and recording the score for the movie "Rikki and Pete" with Eddie Rayner. Eddie and Brian went on to work together as "The Makers", releasing 2 CDs through Warner, East West label. Together with drummer Michael Barker, they toured Australia and New Zealand with the B52's.
NEWS - Through the patience and hard work of John McDonald at Fable Music, Brian has just scored a cut of his song "Up all night" on Australian country artist Cameron Mason's latest CD. Well done everyone.
Please browse the site and check out Brian's other releases. It's just possible that he is creating his best music and songs yet, exploring his talent, roots and skills with the help of some excellent musicians and friends. Listen and judge for yourself.
Click here to view a music clip for "Cold Tomorrow" from Brian's "Prague Radio" CD released in 2005.
Video below is from the Hard Light recording sessions.
"From the first note of his latest album, Hard Light, Brian Baker demonstrates that he has lost none of his ability to write a song that reaches out and grabs you. To call Brian’s work mood music risks giving it unjustified connotations of being lightweight, which it is not. It is infinitely easy to listen to, with a pleasant layering of music from Brian’s own guitar highlighted by enchanting string arrangements and pedal steel, topped off by the masterful piano of Eddie Rayner – best known as keyboardist for Split Enz. Add to this Brian’s ever evocative lyrics, such as “I’ll take my expectations to the airport/Put ‘em on a plane/Watch them fade to nothing/ As they fly away” and, in a manner similar to the hard light described in the title track, this is an album that cannot be ignored."JH
My latest cd is titled "Hard Light" and to have listen to a quick 2 minute tour of the CD just hit the play button below.
It contains a few seconds of each track on the CD to give you an idea of what it's all about. Very happy with the cover too, (see above). It's a painting by me mate David Frazer, you can check out more of his work at wwwdfrazer.com
"Hard Light" is available on iTunes and at cdbaby.com
Fallon and Brian listening (but not to each other)
Eddie @ Roundhead Studios
Fallon - master of the drum mic
Arvo - deep
Mark - "is there a good time open somewhere?"
Brian - in tender loving mode