FEATURE:
Experiment I
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 1993 during filming of the short film, The Cross, the Cross and the Curve/PHOTO CREDIT: Guido Harari
Returning to the Notion of a Kate Bush Tribute Album
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HAVING read reviews…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in a promotional photo for Army Dreamers (1980)/PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
of the recent album, Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono, I have been thinking about Kate Bush and the lack of tribute albums out there. The Yoko Ono is a variety of artists covering her songs. It is a great album, and it will introduce her music to new people. Maybe not one of the most accessible or played artists, I think it was high time there was a tribute album! Although Kate Bush’s music is better known, I still feel there is something that can be done to make people aware of the full extent of her brilliance. Listen to the radio and, mostly, it is the bigger songs that are played. Rarely do stations go off the script and play a deeper cut. Because of this, I feel a lot of people define Bush too rigidly or have a narrow view of her music. Proper fans spend time listening to her album tracks, but I wonder how much of the wider world beyond that understand and are aware of songs like, say, The Wedding List? There are so many people that do not know some brilliant songs. Not that a tribute album would change that is a massive way. It is more of a salute to an innovative and pioneering artist who has so many supporters and fans. Seemingly more relevant than ever, demand would certainly be there for a tribute album!
IN THIS PHOTO: Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)/PHOTO CREDIT: Rhys Frampton for Sorbet Magazine
It would definitely not be the first time artists have been brought together for an album like this. In the past, there have been projects. They tended to feature smaller artists who are less widely-known. Look at some of the newer artists like The Anchoress who are inspired by Kate Bush. As I have said before, The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon is a fan. I have just interviewed Nerina Pallot about Bush. She has previously covered Moments of Pleasure (The Red Shoes). Even though some of Bush’s big musician fans have covered her music before, there is opportunity to organise a tribute album. The aim would be to look at deeper cuts, rather than the ones that everyone is familiar with. Everyone from Big Boi, St. Vincent, Rufus Wainwright, Guy Garvey, Anna Calvi, Fiona Apple, k.g. lang, Courtney Love, Darren Hayes, Björk and Florence Welch are fans. In terms of who could appear, there is no reason why major artists would either refuse or be expensive to book. In a previous feature, I think I suggested profits could go to a charity. Bush is a supporter of many, so proceeds could go there. Maybe the cost of putting it on vinyl would mean a big financial hit if that was where the profits were going. In any case, I would be fascinated to see how artists we know and love combine with upcoming acts. Tackling songs that show Kate Bush’s true depth and musical dexterity, they would put their own stamp on these songs. Maybe recording the songs at a studio that Bush has worked out of, like Abbey Road or AIR Studios.
IN THIS PHOTO: Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy)
In terms of the number of tracks, I think there could be fourteen. Trying to take a song from each of her nine studio albums (I am leaving out 2011’s Director’s Cut), songs that have not been shared or played that much are brought to life and reinterpreted by some brilliant artists. I know The Anchoress likes the song, Egypt (from 1978’s Lionheart). Maybe Big Boi taking on a song from The Dreaming (Pull Out the Pin?). St. Vincent grappling with Waking the Witch or Mother Stands for Comfort? Nerine Paollot has performed Moments of Pleasure. I would like to hear what she does with a deep cut. I think Neil Hannon could do a brilliant rendition of a song such as James and the Cold Gun (The Kick Inside) or the brilliant Mrs. Bartolozzi (Aerial). I think there would need to be some bands in the mix. Perhaps pairing artists together. Anna Calvi together with Charli XCX? I am just putting it out there but, when it comes to Kate Bush-related projects, there has always been this gap that a tribute album could fill. I don’t think Bush could have any objections. Artists celebrating her work and showing their respect is not only a perfect way to mark her legacy. Maybe it would motivate Bush to record more music at some point. As there are U.S. artists who might not be able to get to the U.K. and record, they could record their parts closer to home. I was eager to put the notion of a tribute album back out there. I love the song, All the Love (from The Dreaming), and I have suggested it as a podcast title. It would actually suite a tribute album! Songs such as Experiment IV (the single from the 1986 greatest hits album, The Whole Story), The Song of Solomon (The Red Shoes), and The Fog (The Sensual World) would be brought to…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Anchoress (Catherine Anne Davies)
A wider audience.