Bird Mancini’s latest CD Dreams And Illusions not only continues the fine lyrical, harmony, and instrumental work of Ruby Bird and Billy Carl Mancini, it finds the husband and wife team taking things to a higher level. Their finely tailored work of lead vocals, harmony vocals, and perfectly placed instrumentation is stronger than ever. They have more loveliness in their mellower tunes and more swing and swagger in their more assertive numbers.
Opening cut “Congratulations,” co-written by Sal Baglio, is a sarcastic kiss off to a woman who left a man for unknown reasons. Its sense of whimsy makes it a fun, breezy song to listen along to. Following the attitude of the song is as rewarding as the subtle touches of instruments and harmony vocals that make it seem to float by like a cloud on windy day.
“Don’t Blink” show the more assertive side of the Bird Mancini combo. There are edgy guitar chords, a bossy groove, and Ruby Bird’s vocal is full of sass. Bird and her guitarist/husband Billy Mancini twist their vocals around one another in a uniquely fine harmony.
“One Mistake” is another scratchy, chord rich tune. Here, the Bird Mancini punch it up with keyboards and accordion over a snappy rhythm section, bassist Joel White, drummer Joe Jaworski. A lilting Mancini lead vocal travels well over this jaunty piece, an amicable vibe that moves in just the right way in just the right places.
Ruby Bird gets her 1960s vibe on “It‘s Already Done.” Her sassy pop vocal approach reminds of “I Want Money” and “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” a swagger that sashays through a landscape of brisk, snappy instrumentation. Bird combines her swagger uncannily with her chirpy lead vocal in a way that lends this song another layer of appeal. It also has a shift in tempo and dynamics that keep it dramatic, hard hitting, fun.
“It’s An Illusion” finds Mancini crooning honey smooth over a casually rolling groove. His voice rides those movements well, a lilting vocal melody that he carries well throughout here. His coolness also pushes this whole thing forward as a backing coo from Bird makes it even prettier. He moves into the chorus with a pop quirk that somehow reminds me of Bob Welsh.
“Recluse” has a bit of singer-songwriter appeal for the first half of the song. Keeping the accompaniment simple puts the focus squarely on Bird’s voice and words. She’s deep, pensive and the seriousness of her words take on a heavier meaning when the backing players accent their notes and assert themselves more dynamicaly. This all lead up to a heaviness that forces one to take this song very seriously.
Bird and Mancini trade off on lead vocals and join for harmonies on the spiffy “Wake Me When It’s Over.” One feels carried along with the spirited wind of this piece. It’s full of motions, well directed, and that leaves room for the couple’s lilting vocal lines and Mancini’s riffy guitar work. A lead guitar solo in mellow octave makes it even more tasteful as does a lighter take on their already likable harmonies.
“Fault Line” can best be described as accordion driven pop-rock. That accordion blurs the lines between genres as it’s associated with so many and that makes this song feel beautifully afloat in its own musical world. Throw in a circular but smacking groove and a hooky, snappy chorus and we have a very winsome song. Did I mention there is a zig zagging lead guitar line that draws even further interest?
“Wishing Well” has an old fashioned, 1950s rock and roll feel in its speedier passages. It get slightly more modern in its vocal harmony work before blending traditional accordion with its gritty, driving tempo. This makes it another special flavor even though its various elements are totally familiar.
A Doobie Brothers flavored “When You Get Back” draws one in with its racing acoustic guitars, horn jive, and train whistle harmonica. Once the vibe of the song has one hooked, Bird Mancini let the lead guitar rip, the bass guitar notes perk, the drum bubble up smoothly until there is a groove and drum solo that feels motivational.
Bird Mancini have done it again. They’ve come up with another fine document of their particular flairs for voice and instrumentation. Only this time they’ve done it even better than before with this Dreams And Illusions album that is loaded with fantastic shine, color, and panache.
