David Baerwald - Bedtime Stories - 1990

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David Baerwald - Bedtime Stories - 1990

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Biography: After the quick dissolution of David & David in the mid-'80s, David Baerwald began a solo career, releasing his solo debut, Bedtime Stories, in 1990. As with David & David's sole album, it was an album of deceptively laid-back pop; the calm production and subtle, memorable melodies hid the fact that Baerwald's characters were either inflicting or suffering from emotional pain. It was a triumph, winning raves from critics, but it sold very few copies. With his second album, 1993's Triage, Baerwald decided to have the music match the message, creating soundscapes that recalled a subdued, more pop-friendly Tom Waits. Again, the critical praise was substantial but the record sold even fewer copies than the first. A follow-up wouldn't be seen for nearly a decade, however; Baerwald took time out to work with other musicians and tweak his playing skills. He joined Sheryl Crow for her monumental Tuesday Night Music Club debut and was later nominated for a Golden Globe for Moulin Rouge's swan song, "Come What May." Finally, Baerwald bounced back with Here Comes the Folk Underground in 2002. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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David Baerwald - Bedtime Stories - 1990

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Product Description: Following the surprise success, and sudden collapse, of David and David, David Baerwald released Bedtime Stories in 1990 to critical acclaim. Portions of the album were written and produced in union with Joni Mitchell mainstay Larry Klein, who also plays on many of the tracks. Working the same mine as he did with David and David, Baerwald's songs are dark tales populated by often seedy characters struggling through daily life. His rough-hewn voice adds to the world-weariness of the material, but also conveys a warmth and vulnerability as exhibited on "Hello Mary," a phone call to a former lover. There's a lot to take in here from the kinetic energy of "All for You," a tale of infidelity to the bracing funk of "Dance," inspired by a Paul Bowles short story and backed by the Tower of Power horns. There are some of the usual targets such as televangelists and self-righteous censors on "Liberty Lies," and Baerwald can get preachy at times. However, he is an articulate writer and his ability to create empathy toward his characters tempers things, as on the plaintive ballad "Walk Through Fire," with its insistent chorus that builds into a pledge. Bedtime Stories is a bracing collection that shines a light on desperate situations and characters with great dignity and musicianship.

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David Baerwald - Bedtime Stories - 1990

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Review: If I can convince even one person to track down "Bedtime Stories," I'll feel good. It's a no-good, rotten shame that the album is out of print, but you'll have a fair shot of finding it on eBay or at your local record & tape trader. This guy's a hell of a songwriter, to which this album and the subsequent "Triage" bore considerable testament. If you're a fan of folk-tinged American rock from the Springsteen/Petty school, this should be right up your alley. Baerwald is more of a pessimist than TP or the Boss; like Mellencamp, he's less a believer in the American Dream, and very upset by its disintegration. Mellencamp believes it can be rebuilt; Petty is apt to find good-time alternatives; Springsteen has grown heavy on lament. Baerwald, on the other hand, gets angry, and walks his songs right into the street to observe the decay and report back. It's not a very encouraging trip to the front lines, but it makes for great music with some meat in it. That's not to say that he has no sense of humor or vision for the brighter side: "Dance" is a rollickingly sardonic take on paranoia, while "Good Times" is a more melodically upbeat ode to nostalgia. Much of the album, though, focuses on those things that we as individuals ("Hello Mary," "The Best Inside You") and as a country ("Liberty Lies," "Sirens in the City," "Stranger") have let slip away. Much to our discredit. Like his colleagues, Baerwald can write a hook, so you can tap your feet while you listen to the testimony in his case against the system. Just don't forget the central message: While we fiddle, Rome burns, and very few are innocent in this fire. ~ Amazon Customer

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David Baerwald - Bedtime Stories - 1990

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David Baerwald - Bedtime Stories - 1990

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