Leonardo's Bride
Country of origin:
Australia
Type of music generally:
Contemporary indie folk/rock sound at the cutting edge of alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, Open Sesame (2000)
See also:
Leonardo's Bride's site
Comparisons:
Leonardo's Bride's music is certainly not derivative, but there are echoes within, ranging from 1930s Brecht/Weil to 1960s Beatles, including 1980s Squeeze as well as 1990s Aimee Mann. Abby Dobson's voice is most similar to Sam (née Leslie) Phillip's in range and style.
Covers/own material:
Original songwriting, no covers
General comments:
Introspective, thought-provoking, never dull! Dean's and Abby's songwriting are Australia's best. Dean Manning's virtuoso songwriting and guitar skills, coupled with Abby Dobson's powerful and evocative vocals, together with drum and percussion by Jon Howell, and bass and piano support from Patrick Hyndes, give the group a contemporary indie folk/rock sound at the cutting edge of melodic pop. "Sonic", the first single from newly-released Open Sesame shows that the group can rock with the best of them. There is magic in the Land of Oz. Musical magic! On September 23, 2000, during the summer Olympic games, Leonardo's Bride performed before a sold-out crowd of 70,000 at the Sydney Domain (outdoor venue). It was a truly exceptional evening for the band, hearing that many people all singing the lead single from Angel Blood, "Even When I'm Sleeping", the best love song of the 1990s, period.
Leonardo's Bride of Strawberry Hills, New South Wales is your special ticket to a musical version of the native Australian dreamtime. To quote Rolling Stone magazine from 1997, the group is "bleeding divine." Alice-in-wonderland down a rabbit hole, beauty in simplicity, a call to arms, catchy tunes, great love songs, incisive, introspective, where are you now, Lenny Bruce? Wither to, Morpheus? All songs with lead vocals by Abby Dobson. Move over Wendy Matthews, Tina Arena and Merril Bainbridge. Abby's on her magic carpet, smiling and waving as she passes you by. And the band's behind her, a band on the verge of international recognition.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall; raise your arm against it all" from "Everybody Wants to Take You Home", #1 track on Open Sesame. No one says it better than Leonardo's Bride: "Love When You Can." (world@oz.net)
Recommended first album:
Angel Blood
Recordings:
- Angel Blood (1997)
- Open Sesame (2000)
- Temperamental Friend EP
Angel Blood
Release info:
1997—Mushroom Records—MUSH 24644.2
Availability:
Australia
Ecto priority:
Leonardo's Bride is High Ecto
Group members:
Abby Dobson—vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, recorder, percussion, samples
Dean Manning—acoustic and electric guitars, hammond, piano, wurlitzer, samples
Jon Howell—drums and percussion
Patrick Hyndes—electric, piccolo &double bass, cello, piano, vocals
Guest artists:
John Gauci—hammond, piano, keyboards
Produced by:
Justin Stanley
Comments:
See General comments above
Open Sesame
Release info:
2000—Mushroom Records—MUSH332782
Availability:
In Australia, or through on-line Australian order services, such as www.sanity.com.au or www.whammo.com or www.chaosmusic.com
Ecto priority:
Leonardo's Bride is High Ecto
Group members:
Abby Dobson—vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, recorder, percussion, samples
Dean Manning—acoustic and electric guitars, hammond, piano, wurlitzer, samples
Jon Howell—drums and percussion
Patrick Hyndes—electric, piccolo &double bass, cello, piano, vocals
Produced by:
Justin Stanley (7 songs), James Cadsky and Leonardo's Bride (5 songs)
Comments:
Ultimate question: Can I be Sonic, too? ("Sonic" is the 11th of 12 tracks on Open Sesame and the album's first single). Ultimate comment: Marcel Proust couldn't have said it better than Leonardo's Bride: "Love when you can." (world@oz.net)
Thanks to Dave Nelson for work on this entry.
