Miranda's brew of smoky piano lauded balladry with vintage croons, is a fresh mixture of intelligent lyricism, melodious hooks & the kind of songwriting that hasn’t been heard since the 60s.
To buy \"Lips' Decision\" check it out on iTunes or for a personalised album from me, http://www.mirandabarber.com/listen.html
Location United Kingdom
Bio
Australian-born Miranda Barber moved to the feisty fray of East London in 1999 & has not quite made it back home. Her brew of smoky piano lauded balladry with vintage croons, is a fresh mixture of intelligent lyricism, melodious hooks & the kind of songwriting that hasn’t been heard since the 60s. Likened to Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush & Billie Holiday, Miranda's influences include the likes of Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Tom Waits & Jolie Holland. This might account for why she holds high the banner for the acoustic singer/songwriter, whilst effortlessly sailing in & out of the waters of blues, jazz, soul & folk. Miranda has a stunningly powerful voice - soulful, husky & sultry, & her ability to also tell a great story makes for a curious mix of the real, the romantic & the quirky.
In September 2007, out of 600 songwriters, Miranda won the first singer/songwriter showcase on slicethepie.com by public vote, & received finance to make her first album. Produced by Charlie Winston (no.1 in France), the album was recorded live at Goldtop Studios, London & released on Miranda's own label, Barbershop Records on 30th June 2008.
Sweetheart's Embrace & Too Damn Hard were selected in the top 10 acoustic/folk tracks of the Australian Songwriters Association Awards 08.
To buy \"Lips' Decision\" check it out on iTunes or for a personalised album from me, http://www.mirandabarber.com/listen.html
Currently, Miranda is playing live primarily in London and recording her second album, \"Garden Shed\", due for release later this year.
[Lips' Decision] \"is an album oozing sexuality, in 1950's smoky jazz bar feel. There are some gorgeous bluesy piano moments & soul that would melt even the coldest of hearts...\" Leigh Rafferty, Glasswerk.co.uk
\"Soulful, sophisticated & fun, Lips' Decision mixes the smouldering, late night jazz singing of Billie Holliday with piano-led Joni Mitchell-style confessionals......With a little luck the smooth MOR of Lips' Decision may just end up being the soundtrack to your summer.\" Ian Sinclair, Tourdates
\"...no gimmicks and no overstated production. Miranda can be serious, jazzy, cheeky, raunchy even; but always classy, as this album illustrates...a truly excellent debut album.\" Peter Coulston, Seatwaves
\"Skinny legs, check; jazzy backings, check; jazzy inflection, check. Could Miranda be coming from the school of Amy Winehouse circa debut album - Frank? Well, just a bit but not too much. The style and sass and swing are there though. The voice is the difference, not a soul-jazz voice like Amy, this is a quirky voice.
The sound is jazzy and runs on piano and strings and a double bass. Organic sounds like cello and viola are added, along with, oh joy, a man impersonating a trumpet. The whole thing is full of catchy tunes and quirky inflections. The tone is a lot like early Ben Kweller in its joie de vivre and it’s nice to catch something leftfield like this and give it a boost.
It’s the joy that wins through, with a bounce and a sexy swing to the backing – simple-ish arrangements and a nice acoustic like you dream it might be in the front room of your local with your favourite singer. The darker, slower pieces are full of atmosphere too and, as Captain Beefheart said – “if you’ve got ears, you got to hear”. Ross McGibbon http://www.vanguard-online.co.uk/0807AMB.htm
\"Barber's refusal to stick to one genre is definitely one of her strengths. Lips' Decision succeeds in being a varied and interesting record. The songs aren't over-produced and their raw magic is intact.
Lips' Decision is money well-spent as far as our ears can tell. We like the fact that the album isn't over-polished. The raw quality and energy of the record shines through and it reminds us of what so many albums these days are missing. Barber is a refreshing new talent and she has proven the public made the right choice with this impressive debut.\" http://music.entertainment-focus.com/reviewalb355.php
\"While it's evident that Barber is a very capable musician, handling the elaborate keyboard work on this EP, she definitely possesses a monstrous talent as an accomplished vocalist. Her strange versatility as a seductive lounge singer meets operatic diva makes for some stunning moments. \"Paprika Haze\" is the EP's most straight-forward pop arrangement, and very immediate...but Barber is in her natural element when sparse and haunting pianos, guitars, and double bass lurk in the background of her powerful vocals. This is an artist who definitely won't stay on the outskirts of indie-dom forever. A major label talent for sure.\" www.theblackandwhitemag.com
For more press go to:
http://www.mirandabarber.com/press.html
Influences Likened to Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush & Billie Holiday, Miranda's influences include the likes of Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Tom Waits & Jolie Holland. This might account for why she holds high the banner for the acoustic singer/songwriter, whilst effortlessly sailing in & out of the waters of blues, jazz, soul & folk.
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David Bailey Thursday 10-Dec 10:18:14
Fantastic, beautiful, music from someone who has spent years working in the music world, I love it.
Joint Effort Thursday 03-Dec 18:59:12
I am in love with your music!