Birthday
is the eighth American release from Chicagoan Ralph Covert, which includes four
albums with his band, The Bad Examples, a solo album and EP, and a "Best Of" anthology,
which included new material. The booklet features all the lyrics and cover art
by Charise Mericle.
Musicians for the album include string whiz John
Rice of the Insiders, guitarist Steve Gerlach of MysteryDriver,
former Bad Examples drummer Terry Wathen, Brother Brother keyboardist John Zdon,
guitarist Mark Malboeuf (who also engineered), harp-blower Craig Miller, and culinary
king Pickles Piekarski on bass.
Many of the songs on this album, such
as "Bedtime Girl," reflect the joys of childhood and fatherhood. There is a gentleness
that pervades most of the songs. Yet as the album progresses it also veers into
disillusionment and melancholy before returning to the warmth of "Somewhere That
Feels Like Home." In the past two years, since the birth of his daughter, Covert
has returned to performing many solo concerts which include stories, conversations
with the audience, requests, and works-in-progress. "The Amazing Romero" inspired
the Covert co-written stage drama, Sawdust & Spangles. The songs "Raspberry
Jam" and "Me And Mary" have been concert staples for years which have eluded successful
studio recording until now. |
