_M. Jack Bee - Sound of Love/She Said (30/11/2011)
_ For some people 2011 was a year of new beginnings, for others things may have come to an end. For this particular Ray-Ban wearing lad from Byron, it was a year of writing, recording and touring the country with the likes of Husky, Busby Marou and Pete Murray.
And now, 12 months after the release of his EP ‘In Loops’ on Vitamin Records, M. Jack Bee has delivered his next single Sound of Love/She Said, proving that poetic tales of heartbreak can still sound inviting. M. Jack Bee is not afraid to put his heart on his sleeve, and his honesty is refreshing.
Where ‘In Loops’ was the sound of a solitary man with an array of instruments, Sound of Love/She Said is asuccessful marriage of talented musicians. Masterfully produced by Dave Symes (Sleepy Jackson), M. Jack Bee’s voice is still showcased as the melodic foreground to the accompaniment of instruments and voices.
From the moment a simple drum beat opens this catchy tune and an upright piano joins in with the melody, Sound of Love feels somehow familiar. A gentle whistle - not dissimilar to one your grandad might perform - slides the listener into a (false) sense of contentment, perhaps to soften the lyrics to come. M. Jack Bee shares an honest story, speaking directly to the soul of even the hardest heart. He reminds us that in this crazy reality show-obsessed world we live in, hearts still break, love still hurts, and somehow we still get through it even if it is with the world looking on. With statements like “Everybody wants something beautiful, before too long you find it’s become dutiful”, it’s obvious this amazingly gifted musician had his fair share of love and loss. “How can anyone not love the sound of love ripping their heart out?”
One thing M. Jack Bee is a master of is timing, and Sound of Love does not disappoint. The beautifully crafted verses seem almost syncopated with the beat of the song, as if the lyrics were initially written as a poem, the last word of each line actually become the first word of the next. Such clever writing is not so surprising however, as this poet’s relationship with his typewriter is just as romantic as the one with his beloved guitar.
The second track on the single, She Said, is a moody exchange of dialogue between what the listener could assume is a pair of soon to be ex-lovers. A marching band drum beat provides the backdrop for M. Jack Bee’s deep whiskey laced voice telling us what “she said” before the song moves into a faster paced chorus. MJB’s vocals move effortlessly over the octaves, delivering a story with a hint of humour “She said how do you look in the mirror, I said pretty good in the right light”. For an seemingly angry song, She Said still provides a platform for thought, a comfy seat for contemplation – and it’s a nice place to be when you’re listening to this heartfelt single.
Sound of Love/She Said is out now and if you’re lucky enough to get along to one of M. Jack Bee’s live shows in the coming days, you’ll also be able to pick yourself up a limited 7” vinyl copy.
Andrea Davies
And now, 12 months after the release of his EP ‘In Loops’ on Vitamin Records, M. Jack Bee has delivered his next single Sound of Love/She Said, proving that poetic tales of heartbreak can still sound inviting. M. Jack Bee is not afraid to put his heart on his sleeve, and his honesty is refreshing.
Where ‘In Loops’ was the sound of a solitary man with an array of instruments, Sound of Love/She Said is asuccessful marriage of talented musicians. Masterfully produced by Dave Symes (Sleepy Jackson), M. Jack Bee’s voice is still showcased as the melodic foreground to the accompaniment of instruments and voices.
From the moment a simple drum beat opens this catchy tune and an upright piano joins in with the melody, Sound of Love feels somehow familiar. A gentle whistle - not dissimilar to one your grandad might perform - slides the listener into a (false) sense of contentment, perhaps to soften the lyrics to come. M. Jack Bee shares an honest story, speaking directly to the soul of even the hardest heart. He reminds us that in this crazy reality show-obsessed world we live in, hearts still break, love still hurts, and somehow we still get through it even if it is with the world looking on. With statements like “Everybody wants something beautiful, before too long you find it’s become dutiful”, it’s obvious this amazingly gifted musician had his fair share of love and loss. “How can anyone not love the sound of love ripping their heart out?”
One thing M. Jack Bee is a master of is timing, and Sound of Love does not disappoint. The beautifully crafted verses seem almost syncopated with the beat of the song, as if the lyrics were initially written as a poem, the last word of each line actually become the first word of the next. Such clever writing is not so surprising however, as this poet’s relationship with his typewriter is just as romantic as the one with his beloved guitar.
The second track on the single, She Said, is a moody exchange of dialogue between what the listener could assume is a pair of soon to be ex-lovers. A marching band drum beat provides the backdrop for M. Jack Bee’s deep whiskey laced voice telling us what “she said” before the song moves into a faster paced chorus. MJB’s vocals move effortlessly over the octaves, delivering a story with a hint of humour “She said how do you look in the mirror, I said pretty good in the right light”. For an seemingly angry song, She Said still provides a platform for thought, a comfy seat for contemplation – and it’s a nice place to be when you’re listening to this heartfelt single.
Sound of Love/She Said is out now and if you’re lucky enough to get along to one of M. Jack Bee’s live shows in the coming days, you’ll also be able to pick yourself up a limited 7” vinyl copy.
Andrea Davies