Press

Interviews      Articles       Reviews

PRESS

Interviews

Songwriters Monthly
Feb. 2011

"Alan Williams: Writing the 2-Hour Song"
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc

American Songwriter
Jan. 10, 2011

"Writer of the Week: Birdsong At Morning"
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc
(Firefox View PDF)

Exclusive Magazine
Jan. 2011

Q&A with Birdsong At Morning leader Alan Williams
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc

Articles

MusicWorld Feature
Feb. 16, 2011

"Birdsong at Morning: For the Love of the Song" 
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc

    Gearwire

    Gretsch 1961 Clipper
    Feb 16, 2011

   1966 Harmony Bass & Ampeg V4-B
    Feb 15, 2011

    View/Download PDF
    View PDF as Google Doc

Reviews

Annals of My Glass House

Release date Feb. 15, 2011

Ondarock
July 8, 2011
(Blue Gentian) 2011
sophisticated pop

Un fanatico dei Beatles nonché professore di etnomusicologia all’Università del Massachussetts (Alan Williams), una tenace poetessa folk (Darleen Wilson) e un bassista indeciso tra jazz e musica d’autore (Greg Porter) hanno raccordato le loro influenze per il progetto Birdsong At Morning, un gruppo fautore di un folk-pop apparentemente usuale ma altresì ricco di suggestioni.
Ogni elemento di “Annals Of My Glass House” è frutto di eleganza e semplicità, un affascinante adult-pop che aggiorna la tradizione del cantautorato di Gordon Lightfoot e Jackson Browne con le flessuose armonie del rock più classico per approdare ad atmosfere tipicamente inglesi, che spaziano dai Blue Nile ai King Crimson.

Accompagnato da uno splendido libretto illustrato con immagini della fotografa Julia Margaret Cameron, “Annals Of My Glass House” raccoglie quattro mini album pubblicati in un breve lasso di tempo, ovvero “Bound”, “Heavens”, “Vigil” e “Lumens”, ma il filo che lega le quattro uscite è evidente: la musica di Birdsong At Morning evoca la forza del silenzio e la pace del respiro.
Armonici e delicati, raramente mielosi, i tre musicisti del Massachussetts possiedono l’arte della determinazione stilistica e come abili artigiani concentrano in poche note un lirismo maggiore di quello realmente concepito, esplorando i confini del rock per catturarne il versante romantico.

Onorando la tradizione dei Led Zeppelin di “Stairway To Heaven”, dei Rolling Stones con “Wild Horses”, di Jimi Hendrix e della sua “Little Wings”, nonché di “Shipbuilding” del grande Robert Wyatt, i Birdsong At Morning inseguono la chimera della perfetta ballad pop-rock, e pur non raggiungendo il nadir, coordinano un insieme di canzoni dal profilo nobile e amabilmente romantico.
Asciutto e privo di trucchi, il contenuto lirico dei quattro album è sempre godibile; la presenza di quattro cover non altera la continuità dell’opera, anzi certifica la qualità del songwriting di Alan Williams, che solo in rari momenti scivola nella mediocrità.
Senza turbare i sonni della critica, i Birdsong At Morning plasmano un insieme soft-rock al cui fascino non è facile resistere; la cura del dettaglio e le preziose rifiniture delle fotografie in monocromatico sono il perfetto corollario alla loro musica, così familiare ma allo stesso tempo piacevole.
Ascoltare “Annals Of My Glass House” è come entrare in un vecchio negozio di antiquariato ricco di piccoli frammenti e libri polverosi, un luogo dove il trascorrere del tempo è lento e dal quale te ne vai portando con te, non un oggetto ma il suo vissuto.

Dei quattro capitoli “Vigil” è il più intenso: una serie di malinconiche e struggenti canzoni, che oltre a pregevoli ballate romantiche (“Numbered Days”) e raffinati bozzetti folk (“Softly, Like An Amen”), offre anche una preziosa cover di “Matte Kudasal” dei King Crimson, un brano che Alan, Darleen e Greg rileggono in chiave acustica con toni chamber-pop.
Tracce di Nick Drake nella delicata “The Heart That Failed” e sfumature orchestrali che sfiorano la poetica di David Sylvian nella intensa “So Near” conducono verso la lunga elegia finale di “Au Revoir”, che chiude il set più ambizioso e riuscito del gruppo americano.
Nelle due ore di musica del box non cambia di molto il registro sonoro della band, più ingenuo e leggero il primo capitolo “Bound”, che pur definendo lo stile del gruppo non sembra trovare sempre la giusta chiave di volta per combinare folk e pop orchestrale, mentra anche la cover version di “Dreaming” dei Blondie è la rilettura più debole del lotto.
Più ispirato e ricco di belle canzoni “Heavens”, che si apre con la magica “Astronomy”, che incrocia la filosofia twee per poi abbracciare flessuosi ritmi nella grintosa “Clean” e la magia crepuscolare e sinfonica di “Adrift”, uno dei vertici dell’intero progetto.
Strana la rilettura di “Moonlight Mile” dei Rolling Stones, trasformata in un ibrido acustico-orchestrale dai toni spettrali.
Spetta ai Fleetwood Mac e alla loro “Never Make Me Cry” essere oggetto di rilettura da parte dei Birdsong At Morning nel quarto capitolo “Lumens”, e ancora una volta i confini armonici del brano restano definiti e privi di orpelli, tanto che la canzone, minimale e piena di luce, non è mai sembrata così bella.

L’uptempo di “Velvet Indigo” e il tocco indie-rock di “Can’t Help Myself” evidenziano una maggiore attenzione ai ritmi; la stessa vivacità anima anche l’etno-rock orchestrale e tribale di “Light”, che omaggia volutamente “Kashmir” dei Led Zeppelin.
L’estrema linearità armonica del gruppo può forse suscitare alcuni dubbi, ma “Annals Of My Glass House” è privo dei trucchi e dei fronzoli tipici del pop radiofonico, poiché la musica del trio americano vive sulla naturale timbrica e grazia degli strumenti, elevando canzoni apparentemente usuali come “Morning Glory” ad autonomi canoni pop-rock; e se avete ancora dubbi, incrociate la splendida armonia di “Heartland”, uno dei momenti di sublimazione acustica più intensi di questo 2011.
La musica dei Birdsong At Morning è uno di quei luoghi inconfessabili nei quali rifugiarsi per gustare il piacere sublime di sentirsi coccolati, un album da conservare per i giorni che precedono la consapevolezza di essere cresciuti. — Gianfranco Marmoro

Buzzinemusic.com
Mar. 24, 2011

A Modern Box Set of Poetic Country-Folk That Breathes Tradition, Light & Reflection

Birdsong at Morning--the trio of Alan Williams, Darleen Wilson, and Greg Porter--may be the idea of Williams, but the weight of performance is distributed, and a stability of presence is achieved. Flavors of Old Country are delicately blended with true Folk; acoustic instrumentation is both spare and luxurious, hanging like fabrics to dress a room. Strings give wealth to proceedings and add a feeling of something renaissance, something painterly. There isn’t a string plucked or chord strummed that doesn’t measure the weight of each player’s intention. And intentions are deeply soulful. There’s a sense of longing that resounds throughout much of proceedings. Even when tones are optimistic, the desire for perfect understanding or expression of emotional content is still key.

Everything, every element of composition and arrangement, appears so deeply considered that lesser artists would hesitate and fracture musical flow. Birdsong at Morning articulates a range of complicated emotions with sustained continuity of style and grace across the entire four discs. Progress is unrelenting, balanced, and ultimately smooth.

To accompany the four discs is a book of lyrics, photography, and a short essay from Williams himself.  Most of the songs work as poetic pieces devoid of musical accompaniment. Obviously some passages are stronger than others, but all are songs which grow to full height and strength when in full light of music. “Clean,” from the Heavens disc, offers the clearest vision of style. “I’m caught up in a current, / Rushing headlong into sea, / But all the water in the river / Will not wash me clean.” The images are strong, elemental, fraught with an overwhelming sense of longing. This quality runs from start to finish.

Often, when music is as gentle and lightfooted as this collection, it can appear insubstantial or be easily carried away by a strong gust of noise from another place. What Birdsong at Morning achieves is a delivery of their own perspective without having to ever stamp or shout.  We’re all in agreement that volume and raised voices aren’t any more true or trustworthy than the softly spoken. 

To claim that this box-set is a statement of ‘less being more’ is misguiding.  Perhaps best described as a ‘More understatement than you’re ever likely to hear.’ This is a collection for purists, for lovers of things like herbal tea, books with yellowed pages, and stained-glass windows--things that are treasured because of what they represent, not just because of what they are or the pricetag attached. The simple things of life and the human condition are explored with a weight of contemplative mediation. Heavier aspects of the heart are handled with a lightness of touch that expresses deeper meanings without trampling through cliche.

Simply put, Annals of My Glass House is an item that will sit in your player and in the palm of your hand when you desire a connection with something larger than yourself that doesn’t rock, shock, or shout.  This is a quiet, nurturing collection with humility and grace in equal measure. — Andrew Shaw

Standout Tracks: “Roses,” “Clean,” “Matte Kudasai,” “Heartland”
For Fans Of: Simon & Garfunkel, The Fools

Boston Herald
Mar.16, 2011
"Birdsong At Morning Breaks New Ground with 'House'"
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc

RockWired
Mar.8, 2011
The Mesmerizing Sound of Birdsong At Morning and their EP Collection  'Annals Of My Glass House'

With the Rockwired Radio Music Awards season over and a whole year still ahead of us, you would think that we'd be pressing onward with guns blazing. Well, you might have to wind your pacemaker down a notch or two. Birdsong At Morning (even the band's moniker is tranquil) is a band comprised of veteran musicians Alan Williams, Darleen Wilson, and Greg Porter who have forged a gentle acoustic sound that is both haunting and whimsical.  For years, the band has released a series of delicately produced EPs. Now listeners can get reacquainted with the rich musicality of the Birdsong At Morning with the release of their mesmerizing EP collection, 'Annals Of My Glass House.'
 

Metromix New York
Feb. 15, 2011

A Massachusetts-based trio with a folksy yet sophisticated chamber-pop sound, Birdsong at Morning have been quietly releasing EPs for several years, but now gather all four of them—“Bound,” “Heavens,” “Vigil” and “Lumens”—into this ambitious boxed collection. Led by singer-songwriter Alan Williams, whose day job is teaching ethnomusicology at the University of Massachusetts, the trio crafts songs that are deceptively straightforward but rich with atmosphere and unexpected chord changes, reminiscent of everyone from fellow New England acoustic-based artists like Dar Williams (no relation) and Ellis Paul to the Blue Nile. Includes a 48-page booklet of Williams’ lyrics and essays.

Mass Live
Feb. 15, 2011

Pure, delicate splendor dominates this box set of four EPs by the central Mass. trio Birdsong at Morning.

With the help of various guest musicians, the ensemble of Alan Williams, Darleen Wilson and Greg Porter weave through the lengthy series of gentle folk-based selections flowing through the discs subtitled “Bound,” “Heavens,” “Vigil” and “Lumens.”

There’s a definite mood here that the trio rarely breaks from, focusing on hushed acoustic balladry (“Roses”), some mournful (“So Near”) some strikingly melodic (“Numbered Days”) and occasionally a few sparkling and upbeat selections such as “Astronomy.”

Complete with gorgeous packaging, it is obviously an extremely ambitious project for those favoring somber, reflective folk. But it’s also an enormous amount of music to assimilate, and some tighter editing could have made it a more compelling set. However along with several fine originals, Birdsong at Morning do wisely break things up on occasion with a few out-of-the-blue covers including fine renditions of the Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile,” and Blondie’s “Dreaming.” — Kevin O’Hare

TMR Zoo
Feb. 7, 2011

“Those Beautiful Words” opens up this four CD collection of remasters housed in a boxed set, an exquisite presentation of dreamy songs, elegant production work all performed and presented with a huge touch of class. “Prodigal Soul” which follows the first track is just as exhilarating with James Blunt-styled soft rock that is both mesmerizing and quite satisfying. Where Adam Ezra Group has a harder edge along these same lines, Birdsong At Morning is ultra-smooth, simply perfect Triple A music that is radio friendly and holds up well with your player on repeat.

To get a handle on what this boxed set is about one has to look at the releases and how they were issued. Six songs on Bound were released on January 1, 2009 containing 28 minutes and 17 seconds of music. October 6, 2009 saw Heavens issued, six songs covering 30 minutes Vigil (6 songs) was released on March 23, 2010 clocking in at 29 and a half minutes with the 7 song Lumens, a 29 minute album, released October 19, 2010. All releases are on the Blue Gentian Records imprint.

The collection is called “Annals of My Glass house and it is oh so very consistent, the music released within the almost two-year span and all holding up as if recorded for one long player. Covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile” and a slowed-up version of Blondie’s “Dreamin” are a nice break from being introduced to so much original material, but all of it is splendid and well worth more than a few spins.

One word titles a la The Talking Heads abound here…”Adrift”, “Mystery”, “Heartland”, “Light”, “Roses” and more. “Velvet Indigo” has beautiful movements that keep drawing you back in, and is among my favorite tracks along with “Prodigal Soul”, a thought-provoking title and perceptive piece of music. Grade A all the way around. Alan, Darleen and Greg have found a new fan in this critic.   — Joe Viglione 

Towle Road
Feb. 1, 2011

These Massachusetts  professionals — a professor, a business VP and a new media consultant — make gorgeous acoustic music. This collection of four E.P.s from 2009 and 2010 feature lovelorn originals ("Those Beautiful Words") and inspired covers (Blondie's "Dreaming" is a highlight).

New Times
Feb. 2011
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc
 

Frontiers LA
Jan. 10, 2011

This Massachusetts trio—comprised of three very adult professionals: Alan Williams (professor; vocals and songwriting), Darleen Wilson (marketing consultant; multi-instrumentalist) and Greg Porter (VP of Operations; multi-instrumentalist)—have been making lilting acoustic folk for the last few years while flying well under the radar of most of us. The Annals of My Glass House box set collects their four EPs from 2009/2010 with a gorgeous 48-page booklet of photos and lyrics. While the layout is nice enough, it’d mean nothing without a compelling reason to listen to the music inside. True, these are a decidedly mellow bunch. So, though they’re an acoustic proposition, you won’t be getting any hootenannies or Irish rave-ups down the old main drag. If you need that, listen to The Pogues or another strident folk act. What you will hear are songs about love in all its various stages (gorgeously rendered in the rush of its first bloom on “Those Beautiful Words”); some ace covers, both mainstream (The Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile”) and surprising (King Crimson’s “Matte Kudasai,” a stripped-down version of Blondie’s “Dreaming”); and the sound of a middle-aged band that has the wisdom of their years coupled with the enthusiasm of youth.  — Dan Loughry

The Marquee
Jan. 1, 2011

Birdsong at Morning’s new 4-EP boxed set entitled Annals of My Glass House sounds just like the name describes. If you like soft, rich acoustic hues with warm subtle vocals, this is your new favorite CD. Folky yet sophisticated, it plays a little like an acoustic Alan Parsons Project. The core group, made up of one university professor, one gourmet tea executive, and a media consultant, has a great deal of life experience which it draws from for musical inspiration. Immaculate production and slick arrangements also add to the allure.

M 
Music & Musicians' Magazine
Dec. 2010
View/Download PDF
View PDF as Google Doc