New Video: Richard James Simpson 'You' - Ft. Joey Burns (Calexico)

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The track "You" aims to give us a very interesting and modern twist on the feeling and message that Medieval music wanted us to experience. The vocals, instruments, and lyrics of this song seem to be intended to provide a spiritual connection between man and God; or at least, between man and his mission in life.
Simpson incorporates into this song the three types of Medieval music from 500 to 1,400 A.D.: a cappella, choral, and music that synthesizes vocal and instrumental arrangements. By doing this, Simpson transports the listener not only to the beginnings of music, but to the beginning of man, as the existential lyrics reveal to us. In the lyrical passage, "Remember, remember what is there, what is there to forget?", Simpson punctuates the struggle for self realization that is compounded by human beings' amnesia in not remembering why they are here, how they got here, and, ultimately, what is their purpose. Now, is the time to remember.

Featuring such notable musicians as Joey Burns, co-founder of Calexico, Dustin Boyer (John Cale) and Theo Welch (Barry White), Sweet Birds Of Youth is the debut solo album of Richard James Simpson, formerly lead guitarist and vocalist for the band Teardrain (which included bass player and co-songwriter Jill Emery of such bands as Hole, Mazzy Star and Super Heroines); and bassist for Invisible Chains (featuring musician Carla Bozulich).

Sweet Birds of Youth has been described as a collection of songs that range from sexy and gritty to dreamy and reflective. A very rich and complex sonic palette unfolds in the 18 songs, with an experimental and soulful sound reminiscent of such artist as Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Pixies, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and many others.
Simpson proves to be capable of re-metabolyzing such a wide range of influences into a consistent personal musical gestalt.