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If Kate Bush had stumbled onto the stage at London's Apollo Hammersmith theater on August 26, 2014, sang "Knees Up, Mother Brown" for 15 minutes, and then wandered off, most folks in attendance would have still felt they'd witnessed something remarkable. After all, it was the first time the gifted and reclusive artist had performed on-stage since 1979, and the fact she was greeting her audience at all seemed just short of impossible. Given the craft and ambition of Bush's body of recorded work, it came as no surprise that she had something quite grand in mind for her audience when she made her unexpected return to public performance with a run of 22 shows that stretched from August to October 2014. Bush's elaborate show included costume changes, actors, dancers, puppets, magicians, film projections, and a loose narrative that turned the concert into a three-act stage production. Before the Dawn is a live album recorded during two nights of Bush's show ("Before the Dawn" was also the name she gave the event), and in many respects it plays more like the original cast album of some eccentric West End spectacular than a typical concert souvenir. While Act One (the first disc of the three-CD edition) is song-oriented and features a couple of Bush's bigger hits ("Running Up That Hill" and "Hounds of Love"), Acts Two and Three are devoted to a pair of extended suites. "The Ninth Wave" is drawn from the second half of 1985's Hounds of Love album, and "A Sky of Honey" features material from 2005's Aerial and 2011's 50 Words for Snow. While the music in Acts Two and Three is often strikingly beautiful and the performances are superb, they also seem to be one part of a larger stage performance. You can't help but wish you could see what was happening as well as hearing it, especially the long passages where instrumental work and other vocalists dominate the soundscape. But even with just the audio, Before the Dawn is something quite remarkable. Bush's vocals are splendid, and if she has a bit less control on-stage than in the studio, there's a frisson that more than compensates, and this is a striking expression of her own glorious and playfully mad vision of the collision of humanity and nature. Her accompanists match the rigor and precision of Bush's carefully crafted studio creations (especially the percussion of Omar Hakim and Mino Cinelu, the guitar work of David Rhodes, and Bush's own piano), and while the clarity and spaciousness of the mix make it hard to believe this is a fully live recording, the liner notes insist it is. Kate Bush is too much of a visionary to come back to the stage with any old show, and Before the Dawn is an album just as special as she is, a remarkable and expansive creative statement full of wonder and magic that rivals the best of her LPs.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
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Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Paddy Bush, Fujara - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Piano - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
DISC 2
Kate Bush, Writer, MainArtist - Kevin Doyle, Spoken Voice - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kate Bush, Piano, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Paddy Bush, Voices - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Choir - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Choir - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Choir - Jo Servi, Choir - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Choir
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards, Uillean Pipe - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Piano, Backing Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Paddy Bush, Voice - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kate Bush, Writer, MainArtist - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Voice - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Voice - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kate Bush, Piano, Writer, MainArtist - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Albert McIntosh, Choir - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Choir - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Choir - Jo Servi, Choir - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Choir - David Lombardi, Engineer
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals - John Carder Bush, Narrator
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Choir - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Choir - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Choir - Jo Servi, Choir - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Choir
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Accordion - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Acoustic Guitar, Programmer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Acoustic Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
DISC 3
Kevin McAlea, Piano - Kate Bush, Backing Vocals, Writer, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Voice - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Piano - Kate Bush, Backing Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Lead Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Accordion - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals, Featured Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kate Bush, Piano, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals, Featured Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Writer, Synthesizer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Lead Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Sounds - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar, Charango - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kate Bush, Piano, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Ian Newton, Engineer - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Kevin McAlea, Keyboards - OMAR HAKIM, Drums - Kate Bush, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - John Giblin, Bass - David Rhodes, Guitar - Greg Walsh, Engineer - James Guthrie, Consultant - Mino Cinelu, Percussion - Chris Lawson, Backline Technician - Jon Carin, Keyboards, Programmer - Stephen W Tayler, Lead Vocal Recording Engineer - James Drew, Sounds - Steve Grey, Backline Technician - Davide Lombardi, Engineer - Albert McIntosh, Backing Vocals - Baz Tymms, Backline Technician - Bob Harms, Backing Vocals - Davey Williamson, Engineer - Frissi Karlsson, Guitar - Ian Newton, Engineer - Jacqui DuBois, Backing Vocals - Jo Servi, Backing Vocals - Morten Turbo Thobro, Backline Technician - Sandra Marvin, Backing Vocals
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
Album review
If Kate Bush had stumbled onto the stage at London's Apollo Hammersmith theater on August 26, 2014, sang "Knees Up, Mother Brown" for 15 minutes, and then wandered off, most folks in attendance would have still felt they'd witnessed something remarkable. After all, it was the first time the gifted and reclusive artist had performed on-stage since 1979, and the fact she was greeting her audience at all seemed just short of impossible. Given the craft and ambition of Bush's body of recorded work, it came as no surprise that she had something quite grand in mind for her audience when she made her unexpected return to public performance with a run of 22 shows that stretched from August to October 2014. Bush's elaborate show included costume changes, actors, dancers, puppets, magicians, film projections, and a loose narrative that turned the concert into a three-act stage production. Before the Dawn is a live album recorded during two nights of Bush's show ("Before the Dawn" was also the name she gave the event), and in many respects it plays more like the original cast album of some eccentric West End spectacular than a typical concert souvenir. While Act One (the first disc of the three-CD edition) is song-oriented and features a couple of Bush's bigger hits ("Running Up That Hill" and "Hounds of Love"), Acts Two and Three are devoted to a pair of extended suites. "The Ninth Wave" is drawn from the second half of 1985's Hounds of Love album, and "A Sky of Honey" features material from 2005's Aerial and 2011's 50 Words for Snow. While the music in Acts Two and Three is often strikingly beautiful and the performances are superb, they also seem to be one part of a larger stage performance. You can't help but wish you could see what was happening as well as hearing it, especially the long passages where instrumental work and other vocalists dominate the soundscape. But even with just the audio, Before the Dawn is something quite remarkable. Bush's vocals are splendid, and if she has a bit less control on-stage than in the studio, there's a frisson that more than compensates, and this is a striking expression of her own glorious and playfully mad vision of the collision of humanity and nature. Her accompanists match the rigor and precision of Bush's carefully crafted studio creations (especially the percussion of Omar Hakim and Mino Cinelu, the guitar work of David Rhodes, and Bush's own piano), and while the clarity and spaciousness of the mix make it hard to believe this is a fully live recording, the liner notes insist it is. Kate Bush is too much of a visionary to come back to the stage with any old show, and Before the Dawn is an album just as special as she is, a remarkable and expansive creative statement full of wonder and magic that rivals the best of her LPs.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
About the album
- 3 disc(s) - 29 track(s)
- Total length: 02:35:01
© 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd ℗ 2016 Noble & Brite Ltd
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